Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Photography …
Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Photography credit: Joel Benjamin.
John F. Kennedy's Typewriter
Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA. Photography credit: Joel Benjamin.

John F. Kennedy's Typewriter

Artifact IDMO 76.849a
Object Type Typewriter
Date mid 1930's
Maker (New York, New York, Founded 1874)
Medium metal
DimensionsOverall H 17 in x W 10 1/4 in x D 13 1/2 in (43.2 cm x 26 cm x 34.3 cm)
Physical DescriptionBlack, four bank, metal typewriter. The Underwood typewriter was the forerunner to the modern typewriter, and the first reliable four bank, front stroke typewriter on the market.
Historical NoteTypewriter was used by Senator John F. Kennedy while he was in Congress (January 3, 1947-January 3, 1953). It was acquired from JFK's Bowdoin Street apartment in Boston through Grace Burke, a secretary in Kennedy's Boston office from 1946-1963.

Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was owned by President Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy.
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 SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Senatorial Collection (National Archives Identifier 1677120)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view