The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

JFK Presidential Library and Museum

Your Guide

As one arrives at the tip of the Columbia Point Peninsula, a savvy landscape historian might recognize the touch of Daniel Urban Kiley on the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. Kiley, with assistance from Rachael "Bunny" Mellon, worked to embrace the simplicity of I. M. Pei’s architecture for the museum and create a landscape that “connects the building to the sea and the open skies surrounding it.”

Originally home to the Columbia Point landfill, the library site was transformed by Kiley, Mellon, and Pei into an oasis in the city of Boston. Completed in 1979, the library serves as an archive and museum for the late President John F. Kennedy.

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Evocation

Your first turn into the JFK Library and Museum leads you along a path of beach roses, grasses, bayberry, and beach plums, which guides visitors along the harbor to the main entry. Dan Kiley, the landscape architect, designed the landscape to evoke the feeling of Cape Cod.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 2

Simple and Modern

At the main entry, a simple plant palette was used to complement the simplicity of I. M. Pei’s modern design for the library and museum.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 3

Sweeping Staircase

A sweeping set of stairs brings visitors from the main entry down to the waterfront. A grove of Shademaster honey locust trees provides a windbreak to the entry above.

Image: Kero Photograhy - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 4

The Victura

John F. Kennedy’s boat, the Victura, is carefully positioned to face the horizon and the Boston Harbor Islands. The sailboat was a gift to JFK from his parents on his 15th birthday.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 5

City Panorama

Panoramic views across Old Harbor to Carson Beach and the Financial District will captivate your attention as you take a promenade along the waterfront.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 6

From Landfill to Library

The library and museum are constructed on top of 15 feet of fill material. This was an important step to remediate the former Columbia Point landfill and make the site safe for public use and prevent toxic materials from leaching into the harbor.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 7

Along the Harborwalk

The JFK Presidential Library and Museum is one of many sites located along Boston’s harborwalk. One can walk north to downtown Boston all the way to Charlestown, or south along Dorchester to Milton from the JFK site. The harborwalk currently covers about 47 miles of the Boston waterfront with new connections added each year.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 8

View from the Terrace

Scored concrete extends to the water’s edge. Cyclists, runners, dog walkers, and families passing by provide endless opportunity for people watching if you take a moment to pause and look out toward the Atlantic. Thompson Island, the closest Boston Harbor Island, is in plain view from the library and museum terrace.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 9

Shady Picnic Grove

A picnic area underneath the grove of Shademaster honey locust trees sits adjacent to the John T. Fallon State Pier, a full-service pier of the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane JFK 10

View from the Pier

A walk out to the end of the John T. Fallon State Pier reveals an amazing view of the museum and library with the Back Bay beyond. Anglers often populate the end of the pier, fishing for "stripers" -- striped bass -- during the summertime.

Image: Kero Photography - Kathryn O'Kane