Kennedy Compound

Kennedy Compound
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Main house of the Kennedy Compound (1972).
Location	100 Marchant Avenue Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates
Area	6 acres (24,000 m²)
Built	1904
Architect	Unknown
Architectural style	clapboard
Part of	Hyannis Port Historic District (#87000259)
NRHP Reference #	72001302
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 28, 1972
Designated NHLD	November 28, 1972
Designated CP	November 10, 1987

The Kennedy Compound consists of three houses on six acres (24,000 m²) of waterfront property on Cape Cod along Nantucket Sound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, United States. It was once the home of American businessman and political figure Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., his wife Rose, and two of their sons, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Their youngest son, Senator Ted Kennedy lived in his parents' house, and it was his main residence from 1982 to 2009. He died of brain cancer at the compound in August 2009.

Ted Kennedy also bought President Kennedy's house from his daughter, Caroline Kennedy. This house now belongs to Ted Kennedy, Jr.

President Kennedy used the compound as a base for his successful 1960 U.S. Presidential campaign and later as a summer White House and presidential retreat until his assassination in November 1963. In 2012, the main house was donated to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, which said the house would eventually be opened to the public.

History

In 1926 Joseph P. Kennedy rented a summer cottage at 50 Marchant Avenue in Hyannisport. Two years later, he purchased the structure, which had been erected in 1904, and enlarged and remodeled it to suit his family's needs. In and around this house, their nine children spent their summers, acquiring a lifelong interest in sailing and other competitive activities.

In 1956, Jack bought a smaller home of his own at 111 Irving Avenue ⁽⁾, not far from his father's home. Subsequently, Ted acquired the residence at 28 Marchant Avenue ⁽⁾ adjacent to the other two in 1959 and sold it to Bobby and his wife Ethel in 1961. Edward lived in the compound until his death.

Layout

All three buildings are white-frame clapboard structures typical of vacation residences on Cape Cod. Except for specific occasions at the Main House, the buildings are not available for public visitation.

Main house

Joe's home, the Main House and the largest of the three, is surrounded by well-tended lawns and gardens and it commands sweeping views of the ocean from its long porches.

On the main floor are a living room, dining room, sun room, television room, the bedroom that John used before he purchased his own house in the compound, the kitchen, and various pantries and utility rooms.

On the second floor are six bedrooms, a sewing room, packing room, and four servants' bedrooms. The house has a full attic.

The basement contains a motion-picture theater and a hall covered with dolls from all around the world. A wine cellar designed after a ship's hull and a sipping room – one of the Kennedy family's favorite hideouts. It is considered the place that Ted coined the well-known toast "There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be."

The house has changed little, either structurally or in furnishings, since John's association with it.

In 2012 the main house was donated by the Kennedy family to the Edward Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, which said it would host educational seminars in the house and that it will open it to the public at specific times. On the grounds are an enclosed swimming pool, tennis court, a four-car garage, and two guest houses.

There are two circular driveways with flagpoles standing in the middle, a boathouse and several large stretches of lawn area where the many family touch football games were played.

Other parcels of land that assorted members of the family have purchased remain as well-tended as those of the more prominent homes.

See also

• List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Sources

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the National Park Service document "The Presidents (Kennedy Compound)".