National Register Listing

Kennedy Compound

a.k.a. Homes of Joseph P.,John F., and Robert F. Kennedy

Irving and Marchant Aves., Hyannis Port, MA
The reputation of the Kennedy Compound at Hyannis Port is known to virtually a11 Americans of political consciousness during the early 1960s. It was the home base of John F. Kennedy during his campaign for the presidency in 1960 and served as the Summer White House in 1961. Pierre Salinger in his book with Kennedy (1966) wrote, "of all the places the President went to rest, his favorite was his house at Hyannis Port." Presidential security and privacy proved difficult in its neighborhood of relatively close vacation houses, however, and President Kennedy's subsequent summer stays were in homes on nearby Squaw Island.

The Kennedy Compound also illustrates the earlier years of John Kennedy and the significant family of which he was a part. His parents first rented their Hyannis Port cottage in 1926. After three seasons in residence with his family, Joseph P. Kennedy bought the property in 1929 and greatly enlarged the house (constructed in 1904). It was in and around this house that the Kennedy children spent their summers, learning to sail and engaging in the other competitive activities encouraged by their ambitious, hard-driving father.
After his marriage, John Kennedy in 1956 bought a smaller summer house of his own close by on Irving Avenue. Robert Kennedy acquired a house adjoining his brother's property to the north and his father's to the east. The three properties together comprise the famous Compound.

The most significant of the three houses is the Joseph P. Kennedy home, for it was the center of family activity for most of the summers between 1926 and 1963, the year of the President's assassination. The other two houses, however, lend added significance and distintion to a property prominent in the public consciousness and in the political history of the 1950s and 1960s as the Kennedy Compound. While recognizing the Joseph P. Kennedy home as the central feature, therefore, the entire Kennedy Compound merits definition as a single historic property.
Bibliography
Leo Damore, The Cape Cod Years of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1967.
Local significance of the district:
Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The Boston Marathon, one of the world's oldest annual marathons, has been held since 1897. It takes place on Patriots' Day, a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Massachusetts random facts
Barnstable County, located in southeastern Massachusetts, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag Tribe, who had a strong presence in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of European colonizers.

In the early 17th century, settlers from England, including the Pilgrims, established the Plymouth Colony, which encompassed a portion of what is now Barnstable County. This marked the beginning of European settlement in the area. Over time, more colonists arrived and settled in Barnstable, with the town being officially incorporated in 1639.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, agriculture, fishing, and whaling became important industries in Barnstable County. The region's fertile soil supported the growth of crops such as corn, wheat, and barley, while its proximity to the ocean allowed residents to engage in fishing and whaling activities. Shipbuilding also thrived during this period, contributing to the local economy and sustaining the maritime tradition.

In the 20th century, tourism became a significant industry in Barnstable County. Cape Cod and its picturesque beaches, quaint towns, and charming lighthouses attracted visitors from all over the country. As a result, the county experienced significant growth and development, with the population increasing and the economy diversifying to accommodate the tourism industry.

Today, Barnstable County remains a popular tourist destination, offering a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. It continues to honor its past through the preservation of historic landmarks and the celebration of its cultural heritage, while also embracing innovation and progress in various fields, including technology, healthcare, and education.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Barnstable County, Massachusetts.

  • 1685 - Barnstable County is established by the Plymouth Colony.
  • 1700s - The county experiences rapid growth due to its favorable location for trade and fishing.
  • 1774 - Barnstable County actively participates in the Revolutionary War against British rule.
  • 1801 - The Cape Cod Canal is opened, connecting Cape Cod to the mainland and boosting trade and transportation in the region.
  • 1830s - The whaling industry becomes a major economic driver in Barnstable County.
  • 1860s - Barnstable County contributes significantly to the Union cause during the American Civil War.
  • 1900s - The tourism industry begins to flourish in Barnstable County, attracting visitors to its scenic coastlines and historic towns.
  • 1914-1918 - Barnstable County sends many soldiers to fight in World War I.
  • 1950s-1960s - Cape Cod experiences population growth and development, leading to increased suburbanization.
  • 2000s - Barnstable County adapts to the challenges of climate change and works to preserve its natural resources.