Statue of John F. Kennedy

The Statue of John F. Kennedy is an eight-foot-tall bronze figure that shows the President walking in a business suit on the grounds outside the Massachusetts State House. It stands on the north side of Beacon Street near the State House entrance.

The monument was unveiled on May 29, 1990, attracting thousands of visitors including family members and former First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The installation marked Boston's formal recognition of its connection to one of America's most prominent presidents.

This monument honors the bond between President Kennedy and Boston, the city where he spent his formative years and to which he often looked back. Visitors see in it a symbol of how deeply this political figure shaped local identity and pride.

The statue is visible from the public walkway and sits directly along the Freedom Trail, Boston's famous historical walking route. You can easily view it on foot while exploring other nearby attractions.

The bronze figure was created by sculptor Isabel McIlvain and captures Kennedy in a walking pose that suggests forward momentum. This dynamic quality makes the statue feel active rather than posed, giving it a distinctive energy on the Boston streetscape.