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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Freedom of Wexford Chest
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Freedom of Wexford Chest

Artifact IDMO 63.2452.1a-b
Object Type Chest
Date 1962-1963
Date Presented6/27/1963
Maker (Jeweler, Wexford, Ireland Founded in 1842)
Gifter
Place MadeWexford, Ireland, Europe
Medium Gilt silver; wood; ivory
DimensionsOverall H 5 in x W 11 in x D 6 in (12.7 cm x 27.9 cm x 15.2 cm)
Physical DescriptionGilt silver chest with a hinged lid bearing an inscription in Gaelic, which translates to: "Presented to Mr. John Fitzgerald Kennedy President of the United States of America on the Occasion that his Name Was Entered on the Roll of Honorary Freemen of the Borough of Wexford on the 27th Day of June, 1963." The front bears the Kennedy coat of arms and inscription: "Presented to Mr. John Fitzgerald Kennedy President of the United States of America on the occasion of his enrollment as an Honorary Freeman on the 27th day of June 1963. The left side of the chest bears the Great Seal of the United States, and the right the Seal of Wexford. The chest sits on a wooden base.
Historical NoteThis chest naming President John F. Kennedy as an Honorary Freeman was presented by the mayor of Wexford, Thomas Burne on June 27, 1963, during Kennedy's visit to Wexford, Ireland. The silversmith was Enniscorthy and Louis Kerr was the jeweler.

The award made Kennedy the 13th freeman of Wexford, an honor previously conferred only 12 times in 100 years. "Freedom of the City" is a ceremonial award, given by a local government to those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the City wishes to bestow an honour.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Lord Mayor Thomas Byrne, Mayor of Wexford, Ireland. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links
Remarks of President Kennedy’s in Wexford, Ireland: "President Kennedy’s remarks in Wexford, Ireland"