Barnstable to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of JFK’s Assassination

The Town of Barnstable and the JFK Hyannis Museum have planned a variety of events to honor the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on Friday, Nov. 22.

Aside from a day of events commemorating and remembering the late president, the JFK Hyannis Museum, 397 Main Street, will offer free admission and extended hours.

The museum is also displaying a special exhibit recognizing the 50th anniversary entitled  “Cape Cod: The Summer of 1963 to November 22, 1963 – Days of joy. Days of sorrow."

A timeline of Friday's events, as provided by the JFK Museum, is listed below:

10 AM:   The Town of Barnstable will hold a wreath laying ceremony at the JFK Memorial (Lewis Bay Waterfront in Hyannis). Taps will be played.

10:30 AM:  The JFK Hyannis Museum (397 Main Street, Hyannis) will host an event for media and the community. Winners of the museum’s high school essay contest will be announced and presented with scholarships.  They were asked to expound on the meaningfulness of JFK’s famous quote: “And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”  Other special guests will include local dignitaries and local residents who can reflect on where they were and what they experienced on Nov. 22, 1963.  Museum curator Rebecca Pierce-Merrick and Executive Director John Allen will be available to present and discuss the special 50th anniversary exhibit.

2 PM:  Several churches in Barnstable will ring their bells simultaneously at 2 PM, the time President Kennedy was pronounced dead.

2 PM:  Following the bell ringing, St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis (the Kennedy’s church) will host an ecumenical mass.  All are welcome.  The church is located at 347 South Street.