Plans For Edward Kennedy Institute Revealed

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jul 29th 2010 at 8:01PM

The late Senator Edward Kennedy will have his own institute next to his brother's presidential library and museum. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate will be next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum on the University of Massachusetts at Boston campus. Renderings for the project were revealed this week. The 44,000-square-foot compound was designed by architect Rafael Vinoly. A groundbreaking is scheduled this fall and the institute is set to open in 2013.

The Boston Herald reports that the institute hopes to raise $125 million to cover the building expenses and start an endowment. The Kennedys have already donated millions on top of the nearly $3.5 million given by the late senator's political campaign. Peter Meade, the institute president and CEO, told the Herald that donors have given or pledged $50 million and that the institute floated $60 million worth of bonds to pay for the construction.

The institute has a unique role, it's not a museum or a library but is focused on education. It will have an exhibit hall, Senate Chamber representation, a replica of Kennedy's office, classrooms, digital library and archives.

Tags: boston, edward kennedy, Massachusetts, ted kennedy, umass