Fifty years ago today (February 14, 1962), American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy gave a highly publicized, and extraordinarily well-choreographed televised tour of The White House. For many, it was the first time they would actually see the inside of America’s most famous home, albeit from it a television screen. For Mrs. Kennedy, the tour was an opportunity to demonstrate and champion art, history, music and the sciences in showcasing American culture. Five decades later, the tour is her lasting Valentine to this country, and a stalwart reminder that our country is more than military and economic might.
It’s well known that Mrs. Kennedy remains a fashion icon, but her contribution to the arts has always been under
stated. While she was instrumental in bringing poets, writers, actors and musicians to The White House, the symbolism behind these actions has never quite been realized. Her actions are remarkable, given her young age (31), the role of women in 1962 and the potential public backlash for spending so much to redecorate a home few would ever see in person.
Regardless, on February 14, 1962, all three networks covered Mrs. Kennedy as she went room-by-room, explaining the significance behind each piece of furniture and artwork. It was a breathtaking display of pageantry with genuine human emotions. The tour connected Americans to the First Lady, but more importantly, it reinforced that importance of the arts in our society.
Today, Mrs. Kennedy’s message is lost amongst budget cuts, skyrocketing ticket prices for cultural events and an intense focus on math and science education. In 2011, $40 million was cut from the Department of Education’s Arts and Education Program. The price of a single ticket, non-premium seat at a Broadway show is roughly $155, premium seats range upwards of $400 for a single ticket. Finally, in two of his State of the Union addresses, President Barack Obama has consistently mentioned the need to better educate American students in math and science.
Combining all these factors, it’s easy to see how the arts 
get lost, but that’s the problem. The National Endowment for the Arts’ motto is, “A great nation deserves great art.” Why, because the arts make us better writers and thinkers. Furthermore, the arts have always helped us confront our issues and celebrate are successes as a nation. One example is the 1993 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play Angels in America. This show helped America address the AIDS epidemic and helped humanize those suffering. The arts help inform who we are, how we can overcome our challenges and enhance our dreams for the future.
In 1962, Mrs. Kennedy knew that America was more than a military and economic superpower. We were a nation of the humanities, and she showed the world the true cultural fabric of our nation. On this Valentine’s Day, 50 years after her historic tour of The White House, let us recommit ourselves to championing the arts. Go to a museum, see an opera, take a painting class, attend a lecture….feed your mind!
To Watch Mrs. Kennedy’s Tour click here: Jackie Kennedy 1962 White House Tour
Marquee Politics 