Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate facts for kids
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| Location | 210 Morrissey Boulevard Columbia Point Boston, MA 02125 |
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| Type | Specialized, Historical, Biographical |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
| Visitors | 62,000 visitors per year (this includes about 16,000 students) |
| Founder | Edward M. Kennedy & Victoria Reggie Kennedy |
| Architect | Rafael Viñoly |
| Public transit access |
Red Line
JFK/UMass 
Greenbush Line
JFK/UMass
Kingston/Plymouth Line
JFK/UMass
Middleborough/Lakeville Line
JFK/UMass |
| Nearest parking | On site (no charge) |
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (also called the Kennedy Institute) is a special place in Boston, Massachusetts. It's a non-profit organization that helps people learn about the U.S. Senate and how our government works. The institute is located on Columbia Point, right next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
It is named after Ted Kennedy, who was a U.S. Senator for many years. Inside, you can find a full-size copy of the actual Senate Chamber. There's also a copy of Senator Kennedy's office in Washington, D.C.. The institute uses digital exhibits to teach visitors. It aims to inspire young people to get involved in public service. The institute also works with other groups to encourage senators to find common ground and work together.
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About the Kennedy Institute
The Kennedy Institute is a place where you can learn about the U.S. Senate. It helps people understand how laws are made and how leaders work together. The institute also owns the Kennedy Home in Hyannis Port. This home was given to the institute to help teach people about the U.S. government. It also encourages teamwork and inspires future leaders.
Grand Opening Event
The institute officially opened its doors on March 31, 2015. A special dedication ceremony happened the day before, on March 30, 2015. Many important people attended this event. These included President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Vice President Joe Biden was also there. Other guests included Senator Kennedy's wife, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, and many U.S. Senators. Governors, mayors, and other leaders also came to celebrate.
Explore the Exhibits
The Kennedy Institute has many cool exhibits. They help you experience what it's like to be a U.S. Senator.
The Senate Chamber Replica
The main part of the institute is a full-size copy of the real U.S. Senate Chamber. This is the room where senators meet to discuss and vote on laws. Visitors can explore this space and learn from guides. You can also join in special daily programs.
- Today's Vote – In this program, you get to vote on a pretend bill. This bill is based on real laws and changes regularly. It helps you understand how voting works in the Senate.
- Great Senate Debates – This 20-minute show uses live actors and old videos. It teaches you about important moments in Senate history. You'll see how these debates changed our lives today.
Interactive Digital Displays
The exhibit halls use modern technology to teach you about the Senate. Large screens show you the history of the Senate. You can learn about what the Senate does and its traditions. You can also discover more about the people who have served there.
One fun exhibit is "How a Bill Becomes a Law." Here, visitors work together. You might negotiate and vote on ideas, just like senators do. This helps you practice the skills needed to guide new laws through Congress.
Senator Kennedy’s Office
This exhibit is a full-size copy of Senator Kennedy's actual office in Washington, D.C. When you visit, you get a tablet. This tablet helps you learn the stories behind the items in his office. It's a great way to see what a senator's daily work might have been like.
Public Programs and Events
The institute hosts many public programs and special events. These events happen in Boston and Washington, D.C. They cover important local and national topics. Everyone is welcome to attend these programs.
Getting to the Point Series
The "Getting to the Point" series brings different people together. They discuss current issues facing the U.S. government. These events can be like town halls or lectures. They feature speakers from many different backgrounds. Past speakers include important leaders like Mitch McConnell and Stephen Breyer. Famous people like John Lewis and Pedro Martínez have also spoken here.
Across the Aisle Series
This series focuses on leaders from different political parties. It shows how they work together on common goals. These discussions highlight teamwork and finding solutions. The series features members of Congress, governors, and mayors. It covers both national and local issues.
Oral History Project
The Edward M. Kennedy Oral History Project started in 2015. It's a collection of interviews with many people. These include current and former senators, staff, and family members. They share stories about Senator Kennedy's time in public service. The institute uses this project to highlight important issues for the U.S. Senate.
Educational Programs for Students
The Kennedy Institute offers many non-political education programs. These programs are for students from kindergarten through college. They also have classes for adults who want to keep learning.
You can visit the institute in Boston for these programs. You get to use the special full-size copy of the Senate Chamber. The institute also offers online programs. This makes it easier for students from other states to join in. These programs are great for social studies, government, and history classes.
Building Design and Location
The institute's building was designed by Rafael Viñoly. It's a large building, about 68,000 square feet. It was built to be environmentally friendly.
Building Layout
The most important part of the building is the full-size copy of the Senate Chamber. The hallways around the Chamber are called the Chamber Surround. This is where most of the exhibits are located. The institute also has a copy of Senator Kennedy's office. There's a special gallery for temporary exhibits and an Orientation Theater. Three high-tech studios are used for educational programs. The building also has a café, a gift shop, and a place to check your coat.
How to Get There
The institute is on Columbia Point in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. It's on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston. It's also right next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. You can get there by car from Interstate 93. You can also take the Red Line or Commuter Rail to JFK/UMass station. From there, a free shuttle bus will take you right to the institute.
Design and Technology
Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his wife Vicki Reggie Kennedy helped create the idea and design for the institute. They worked with Edwin Schlossberg of ESI Design. Many companies helped bring the institute to life. They developed the software, media elements, projection technology, and interactive games.
Institute History
Construction and Opening
The groundbreaking ceremony for the institute happened on April 8, 2011. This is when construction officially began. As mentioned earlier, President Barack Obama dedicated the institute on March 30, 2015. The institute then opened to the public the very next day, on March 31, 2015.
Kennedy Cape House
In 2012, the Kennedy family gave the main house of their historic Kennedy Compound to the institute. This was a promise Senator Kennedy made to his mother, Rose. The institute plans to use the house for educational programs. They also hope to open it to the public for visits in the future.
Images for kids
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Edward M. Kennedy Institute Logo
