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7 presidency-related activities to do in Greater Boston

To maybe, you know, avoid watching the inauguration

By Tom Acitelli
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By Tom Acitelli

So the inauguration of the nation's 45th president is right around the corner. Suppose one doesn't want to watch it, though. Or perhaps one is going to DVR it to savor every moment.

What might one do that's still related to America's highest office? Luckily, in Greater Boston, the dorm of presidents, there are a plethora of such activities to engage in or schedule.

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1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Suite and Historical Collections

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Russell Hall, 26 Plympton St
Cambridge, MA 02138
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When Franklin Roosevelt was at Harvard in the very early 1900s, he rented rooms at what is now the university's Adams House dormitory. The 32nd president's old suite has been restored to its period-piece glory, and tours are available. Unfortunately, they are largely open only to Harvard students, alumni, or affiliates; and they have to be booked at least two weeks in advance. So perhaps spend Friday arranging a tour of how blue-blooded collegians lived 110 years ago.

2. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

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Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514-1600
(617) 514-1600
Visit Website
I.M. Pei designed the Columbia Point library and museum dedicated to the nation's 35th president, a Brookline native and scion of an old Boston-based political clan. It opened in 1979 and was rededicated in 1993. It has everything JFK-related, including special exhibits and programs. Consult its website for hours and fees.

3. John F. Kennedy Birthplace

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83 Beals St
Brookline, MA 02446
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The house where the 35th president was born and raised is a national park and therefore free. Tours should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance, however. Added bonus of doing so nowadays? 2017 marks the centennial of JFK's birth, so his birthplace is holding special events throughout the year.

4. Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters

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105 Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Visit Website
The nation's first president commanded the Continental Army from this house during the Siege of Boston from July 1775 to April 1776. It was later the home of poet Henry Longfellow, and is now called the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site. As a national park, it's free; but tours must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

5. Adams National Historic Park Visitor Center

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1250 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 770-1175
(617) 770-1175
Visit Website
The national park that encompasses the birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams is only partially open until Feb. 28. The visitors center and the attendant bookstore are, but the actual homes where the second and sixth presidents were born are not (still, you can check out the exteriors).

6. Tombs of John Adams and John Quincy Adams

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1306 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
Visit Website
John Adams and John Quincy Adams (and their wives) are entombed in the United First Parish Church; and tours are available during the warmer months. The Greek Revival church itself is pretty impressive, one of the finest of its architectural kind in the U.S.

7. Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum

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20 West St
Northampton, MA 01060
Visit Website
Located within Forbes Library, this repository of the 30th president's papers and sundry memorabilia is the only presidential library located in a public counterpart. Why in Northampton? Because Coolidge was mayor there before he became Massachusetts governor, vice president, and president; and he then ran out the clock in the city post-White House. The library is closed Fridays, but open much of the rest of the week.
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1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Suite and Historical Collections

Russell Hall, 26 Plympton St, Cambridge, MA 02138
When Franklin Roosevelt was at Harvard in the very early 1900s, he rented rooms at what is now the university's Adams House dormitory. The 32nd president's old suite has been restored to its period-piece glory, and tours are available. Unfortunately, they are largely open only to Harvard students, alumni, or affiliates; and they have to be booked at least two weeks in advance. So perhaps spend Friday arranging a tour of how blue-blooded collegians lived 110 years ago.
Russell Hall, 26 Plympton St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Visit Website

2. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
I.M. Pei designed the Columbia Point library and museum dedicated to the nation's 35th president, a Brookline native and scion of an old Boston-based political clan. It opened in 1979 and was rededicated in 1993. It has everything JFK-related, including special exhibits and programs. Consult its website for hours and fees.
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514-1600
Visit Website

3. John F. Kennedy Birthplace

83 Beals St, Brookline, MA 02446
The house where the 35th president was born and raised is a national park and therefore free. Tours should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance, however. Added bonus of doing so nowadays? 2017 marks the centennial of JFK's birth, so his birthplace is holding special events throughout the year.
83 Beals St
Brookline, MA 02446
Visit Website

4. Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters

105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
The nation's first president commanded the Continental Army from this house during the Siege of Boston from July 1775 to April 1776. It was later the home of poet Henry Longfellow, and is now called the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site. As a national park, it's free; but tours must be requested at least two weeks in advance.
105 Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Visit Website

5. Adams National Historic Park Visitor Center

1250 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169
The national park that encompasses the birthplaces of John Adams and John Quincy Adams is only partially open until Feb. 28. The visitors center and the attendant bookstore are, but the actual homes where the second and sixth presidents were born are not (still, you can check out the exteriors).
1250 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 770-1175
Visit Website

6. Tombs of John Adams and John Quincy Adams

1306 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169
John Adams and John Quincy Adams (and their wives) are entombed in the United First Parish Church; and tours are available during the warmer months. The Greek Revival church itself is pretty impressive, one of the finest of its architectural kind in the U.S.
1306 Hancock St
Quincy, MA 02169
Visit Website

7. Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum

20 West St, Northampton, MA 01060
Located within Forbes Library, this repository of the 30th president's papers and sundry memorabilia is the only presidential library located in a public counterpart. Why in Northampton? Because Coolidge was mayor there before he became Massachusetts governor, vice president, and president; and he then ran out the clock in the city post-White House. The library is closed Fridays, but open much of the rest of the week.
20 West St
Northampton, MA 01060
Visit Website