TLS, two pages, 7.25 x 9.5, Office of the Attorney General letterhead, January 7, 1964. Letter to Finn J. Larsen, in full: “I am sure that you know that we are going forward as quickly as possible with plans for the creation of a John F. Kennedy Memorial Library. Our most important immediate problem in connection with planning the Library is the collecting of the significant papers and documents of the Kennedy Administration. To do this quickly, while memories and experience are still fresh, will require the close cooperation not only of present agency and department heads, but of all those, who, like yourself, were closely associated with that administration and its programs. A Coordinating Commitee for the collection of materials for the Library has been appointed. This Committee is composed of the following person:
Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman
Richard N. Goodwin
Wayne Grover
Herman Kahn
Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.
Sargent Shriver
In general we would like to give top priority to those materials likely to become difficult to locate in a relatively short period of time, as well as to those materials whose full significance requires some oral explanation by an appropriate official or former official.
We are giving first priority to the collecting of personal papers, memoranda, correspondence, etc., as described in Arthur Schlesinger’s letter of May 23, 1962 (copy enclosed). It is important for the Kennedy Library to have for its collections all this material without regard to subject matter, at least for the period of your association with John F. Kennedy, including association with him in the period prior to his assuming the Office of President. Of course, in case you wish to retain the original papers, arrangements will be made to microfilm or otherwise duplicate your files, and the General Services Administration will make its microfilming facilities available for this purpose.
You may feel that some of your personal papers should not be made publicly available except under certain conditions, after a certain period of years, or until such time as you decide they should be made available. You may place any and all of these conditions on any personal materials you make available to the Library. Such materials will be made available only to persons you designate, or at the expiration of the time limit you set now or in the future. The exercise of such personal privilege is provided for by statute, and you may be certain that any stipulations you make will be scrupulously maintained. Questions regarding imposing restrictions on material will be handled by the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee, although I would be glad to consult with you personally on this matter.
I know this project will be a drain on your time and resources. But only in this way can we hope to build a collection which accurately reflects the career, the hopes, and the achievements of President Kennedy, and which fully illuminates the issues of his time. I know you share my desire that the Library be worthy of his own standards of accuracy, completeness, and intellectual integrity. I will be deeply grateful for your effort toward that end.” Attractively double-matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 30 x 15.75. In fine to very fine condition. Dr. Finn J. Larsen served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Development from 1961 to 1963 and as principal deputy director of defense research and engineering for the Department of Defense from 1966 to 1969.
After President Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, his family and friends discussed how to construct a library that would serve as a fitting memorial. On January 13, 1964, less than a week after writing this letter, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy announced that a taped oral-history project was to be undertaken for inclusion in the library. The project would feature administration staff, friends, family, and politicians from home and abroad. The death of the President was still fresh in the hearts and minds of the American public and by March of that year $4.3 million had been pledged, including 18,727 unsolicited donations from the public. On December 13, 1964, the lesser-known I. M. Pei—a favorite of Jackie Kennedy—was selected as the project architect. After years of setbacks and a full relocation, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated on October 20, 1979, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
