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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-WH-01
In this interview Holness discusses her job at the White House; interactions with and impressions of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis; the Kennedy family moving into the White House; traveling with presidential families; interacting with the Kennedy children; and learning of President Kennedy’s death, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JAPH-01
In this interview Hirsh discusses working at the White House as the French instructor for the Kennedy children; taking Caroline Kennedy on outings; interactions with President JFK; JFK’s secret French studies; the Kennedys’ pride in their children; difficulties for Caroline after JFK’s death; JFK’s effect on Hirsh; and JFK as a French student and his Boston accent, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AUG-01
In this interview Heckscher discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as an “inspiration to cultural life”; Heckscher’s involvement in government affairs prior to becoming a Special Consultant to the President; the invitation of 168 artists to JFK’s 1961 inauguration and its impact; how Heckscher came to work for the White House; discussing Heckscher’s position with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.; the reasoning behind the creation of the new position of Special Consultant on the Arts and the favorable public reaction to it; enlarging the definition of “The Arts,” especially regarding architecture; Arthur Goldberg; the establishment of the Freedom Medal; creating the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts through executive order; personal impressions of JFK; setting up Heckscher’s office and staff; how Heckscher was meant to advise JFK and what his position entailed; the Cultural Center [Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]; conversations with JFK; Mrs. Kennedy’s expansive work for the arts; the arts as part of national policy; working with other White House staff members and other Departments; designing special postage stamps; what the President’s role in the arts should be; and the Fine Arts Commission, among other issues.