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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Model of a Rural Farmhouse
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Model of a Rural Farmhouse

Artifact IDMO 63.2232
Object Type Model
Date December 16, 1961
Date Presented12/17/61
Gifter
Place MadeVenezuela, South America
Medium Wood
DimensionsOverall H 4 in x W 6 1/2 in x D 10 1/2 in (10.2 cm x 16.5 cm x 26.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionModel of a rural farmhouse related to the Alliance for Progress Venezuela Rural housing project dated December 16, 1961. House is made of wood and plastic. Square white house with red roof, interior can be viewed from the open windows and doors (kitchen, bathroom).
Historical NoteThis model of a farmhouse was presented to President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy by the President of Venezuela Romulo Betacourt during an address to farmers about the Alliance for Progress initiative near Caracas, Venezuela on December 16, 1961 where President Kennedy lay the first brick for the housing project. In his remarks President Kennedy said “We have come to this open field today to join in making this a better dwelling place for men. And it is, I know, a source of pride to my people, as I’m sure it is to yours, to see this great effort to provide better housing for our people in this hemisphere.”

The Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso), initiated by Kennedy in 1961 in an effort to improve relations between the United States and Latin America, was the largest U.S. aid program ever created for developing nations at the time. The Alliance aimed to establish economic cooperation and development by supporting social and political reforms intended to, as Kennedy said, "satisfy the basic needs of the [Latin] American people for homes, work and land, health and schools." The other, unspoken purpose of the program was to undercut communist influence in the region. While the Alliance for Progress did achieve some of its stated goals by creating new housing and schools and improving medical care, its funds were also used to create counterinsurgency programs and train paramilitary forces. As a result, the program quickly lost credibility within Latin American countries.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Romulo Betancourt, President of Venezuela. 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
Forging the Alliance-President Kennedy visits Venezuela and Colombia, December 1961" Short movie Forging the Alliance-President Kennedy visits Venezuela and Colombia, December 1961"  
Archives folder of President Kennedy’s remarks in Morita, Venezuela at housing project: " Remarks of President Kennedy in Venezuela December 1961"