JFK Library: Presidents Day Week

Things to do in Boston for Children and Families

Download $2 Off Museum Admission Coupon


In celebration of Presidents’ Day Week, the JFK Presidential Library invites the public to download a $2 off coupon, valid February 18-26, 2012, by clicking here. Children age 12 and under are always admitted free. Family-friendly Highlights Tours will be offered throughout the week with paid Museum admission.



“You Be the President” Interactive Museum Activity - February 18-26


Visitors to the Museum are invited to step up to a podium set before the actual scene of JFK’s January 20, 1961 inauguration and deliver some of the most stirring passages of his inaugural address guided by computerized visual prompts. “You Be the President” will be open from February 18 - February 26.



"The Presidency and Civil Rights" - Monday, February 20, 2012


On Monday, February 20th, from 12:30-5:00pm, this conference will examine key moments in the civil rights movement during five American presidencies – from Roosevelt to Johnson – with a final panel examining contemporary civil rights struggles in the years after the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Speakers include: Allida Black, Ernest Green, David Nichols, Carol Anderson, Callie Crossley, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Kenneth Mack, Roger Wilkins, Harris Wofford, and Ray Suarez..Brought to you by special sponsorship from Bingham McCutchen LLP.



The conference will be webcast live at www.jfklibrary.org/webcast.


Make Your Own Sundae Bar – February 20, 21 and 22


On Monday (2/20), Tuesday (2/21), and Wednesday (2/22) from 11:30am-2:30pm, the Café at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum will offer a Make-Your-Own Sundae Bar in the Museum’s Pavilion. Kids and adults alike can enjoy chocolate and vanilla ice cream with hot fudge, butterscotch sauce, whipped cream and a variety of toppings for $4.00 each. The café will also be serving family-friendly specials throughout Presidents’ Week.

Presidents’ Family Festival Day – Tuesday, February 21, 2012

In celebration of Presidents’ Day, the Kennedy Library will host its second annual family festival featuring performances, activities, and exhibits that will bring the Library to life in new ways for kids of all ages. From 10:30am-3:00pm, children can make origami sailboats and try out other hands-on activities, interact with featured presidents and first ladies such as Thomas Jefferson and Dollie Madison, and learn the story of PT-109 and how John F. Kennedy became a hero before he was president. Other highlights of the day will be a Jacqueline Kennedy-themed tour led by the Museum curator, an interactive exhibit of 18th-Century life with John and Abigail Adams, and story time with award-winning author Barbara Kerley who will be reading her new book, Those Rebels: John and Tom. Special festival activities are free with paid admission; children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Here is the Schedule of Events.



Free Children’s Program – Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Celebrate! presents Djembe dell'Arte - African Dance and Drumming 


On Wednesday, February 22nd, from 10:30-11:30am, Experience the energy and excitement of African Dance with Djembe dell'Arte, accompanied by drumming ensemble Troupe Komee Djosee from Mali, West Africa. The performance features authentic African masks and costumes, folk dances of Mali, and a lively drum circle. The program is free but reservations are required. To make a reservation click here or call 617-514-1644.



JFK Museum Store Special


The JFK Museum Store is celebrating Presidents’ Day by offering a White House Tour DVD free with your purchase, in-store or click here to visit online. This special promotion starts on February 14, 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of Mrs. Kennedy's historic tour, and ends on February 26, 2012. Enjoy shopping the many educational and fun items that are available – from Presidential tee shirts to Presidential keepsakes. The store offers a fabulous assortment of Presidential gifts and a variety of items developed for our 50th Anniversary celebration of the Presidency of John F. Kennedy.

When: 
February 18-26, 2012
Phone: 
617-514-1600
Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Marblehead Farmers' Market

Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Family Open House: Nature's Gifts

Use what nature has to offer tomake toys at the Joppa Flats Education Center!
Nature provides special gifts year round from beautiful butterlies to emerging snowdrops in early spring. In this drop-in family program, visitors will meet some "treasures from the ocean" including live beach creatures, seashells from around the world and more.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury | Saturdays

Browse our maze of festively decorated trees and enjoy a little holiday sparkleat the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts
The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...
11:00 am to 8:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury

Browse our maze of festively decorated trees and enjoy a little holiday sparkleat the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts
The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...
11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Essex Firemen's Spaghetti Supper

Come to the Essex Massachusetts Fire Deaprtment for the annual spaghetti fundraiser!
The Annual Essex Fire Department Company Spaghetti Supper is A great night to enjoy a home-cooked meal with neighbors and friends while supporting a great cause!
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Sunday, November 23

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Turkey Trot at Breakheart Reservation

Come to Breakheart Reservation for a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Saugus Massachusetts!
Breakheart Reservation invites you to a Thanksgiving run/walk! Join us for the annual Breakheart Turkey Trot, a fun-filled event for runners and walkers of all ages! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the scenic trails of Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, Massachusetts. Whether you're a...
9:30 am to 12:00 pm

Family & Friends CPR Course

Learn about infant and child cpr and choke saving skills at Beath Israel Lahey Health's Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts!
It is only a matter of a few short minutes before it is too late to save a life … learning what to do provides you precious minutes and gives someone a chance to survive.  The Family & Friends CPR Course teaches the lifesaving skills of child CPR with breaths, child AED use, infant CPR, and m
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk

The Essex Massachusetts Lions host their annual 5k Turkey Trot!
The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market

The Swampscott Farmers Market hosts a special Thanksgiving market in Massachusetts
The outdoor markets are done for the season but we will have one last indoor Thanksgiving Market on Sunday, November 19th at Swampscott High School Cafe. Stock up with fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table and get your Christmas shopping started early with our crafters!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees | Sundays

Browse our maze of festively decorated trees and enjoy a little holiday sparkleat the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts
The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...
11:00 am to 5:00 pm