Boston Public Library

Rocco Paoletta Collection

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In 1974, Boston press photographer Rocco Paoletta donated to the Boston Public Library a collection of nearly 500 of his film negatives related to the political career of John F. Kennedy. The majority of Paoletta’s photographs document Kennedy before his election as President of the United States, during the period he was serving in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

Taken before JFK was an American household name, the collection documents Kennedy’s years on the campaign trail as he fought to build his national profile. Highlights include photographs taken during the 1956 Democratic National Convention, when he came in second in the nomination for Vice President, and on the stump in his second Senate campaign in 1958, usually accompanied by his wife Jackie.

Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public Library.

Locations in this Collection: