John F. Kennedy address on the 90th anniversary of Vanderbilt University collection, 1963.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

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Copies

LocationCall NumberStatus
Special Collections - Upon RequestMap room drawer K-5 folder 1Library Use Only
Special Collections - Upon RequestWorkroom range 5 section 6Library Use Only

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Format
Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material
Physical Desc
2 folders.
1 poster.
Language
English

Notes

General Note
Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.
General Note
Housed in Small Collections Box 5.
Restrictions on Access
In library use only. Available by appointment.
Description
Scope and content: Invitation, program, 30 min. radio broadcast recording, and welcome sign for President John F. Kennedy's speech at Vanderbilt University on May 18, 1963. His speech was in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the university's founding, and also was in observation of the 30th anniversary of the act which established the Tennessee Valley Authority. At the conclusion of the speech, a button was pushed which triggered the first explosion in the construction of the Cordell Hull Dam near Carthage, Tennessee. The broadcast is by Roland Wolfe of Nashville radio station WSIX and produced as a public service of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.
Description
The recording begins in the middle of a prayer or invocation being given by an unidentified speaker. Vanderbilt Chancellor Alexander Heard recognizes special guests and provides opening remarks. Heard mentions that Harold S. Vanderbilt, President of the Board of Trust of Vanderbilt University, who was originally scheduled to introduce his long-time friend, President Kennedy, was unable to attend due to illness.
Description
President Kennedy begins his speech approximately 10 min. into the recording, and speaks for about 20 min. He speaks briefly about Cordell Hull and J. Percy Priest, both of whom are having newly-constructed TVA dams named in their honor. The bulk of Kennedy's speech focuses on the importance of education. He speaks at length about the responsibility that educated Americans have to give back to their country and their fellow citizens. He says that higher education should not be pursued just for the sake of economic advantage, but that educated individuals should use their talents for the benefit of society. He makes a brief comment promoting his vision for moon landings, and condemns cynics who see no purpose in such pursuits, as well as expressing his concerns about a society that sees "no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than they pay to those to whom they entrust their plumbing." He says that such is the price of being in public service. He advocates education in all its forms, and promotes equal access to a good education for all Americans, stating that "the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." He speaks about Civil Rights, especially as it applies to education, and even more specifically, as it relates to Cornelius Vanderbilt's vision of establishing his university as a place to unite a country that had been divided by civil war. In closing, Kennedy reiterates his ideas about the rights, duties, and responsibilities of educated Americans.
Description
A large sign welcoming the President to "Metro Day for JFK" is also part of the collection.
Description
Separation notice: Photographs taken during the President's visit are in the Nashville Room Historic Photograph Collection, images P-2988 through P-3001.
Preferred Citation of Described Materials
Cite as: John F. Kennedy Address on the 90th Anniversary of Vanderbilt University Collection, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Cassette audiotape (from reel to reel original),John W. Hagewood;,Gift;,1974,Acc. RT-366.
Language
In English.
Ownership and Custodial History
The original tape recording was given to the Special Collections Division by John W. Hagewood in 1974. Prior custodial history is unknown.The rest of the collection was intentionally assembled by the Special Collections Division from various physical locations to form the collection, 2006.
Action
Process;,2006;,Linda Barnickel;,consolidated from various locations within the Special Collections Division to form the collection.
Accumulation and Frequency of Use
No further accruals are expected.

Citations

APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)

Kennedy, J. F. 1., & Heard, A. John F. Kennedy address on the 90th anniversary of Vanderbilt University collection .

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Kennedy, John F. 1917-1963 and Alexander. Heard. John F. Kennedy Address On the 90th Anniversary of Vanderbilt University Collection. .

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)

Kennedy, John F. 1917-1963 and Alexander. Heard. John F. Kennedy Address On the 90th Anniversary of Vanderbilt University Collection .

MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)

Kennedy, John F. 1917-1963., and Alexander Heard. John F. Kennedy Address On the 90th Anniversary of Vanderbilt University Collection

Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.

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