The Kennedy Compound: Inside the Sprawling Hyannis Port Estate as Seen in "Love Story" Jordana ComiterFri, February 27, 2026 at 8:25 PM UTC 0 John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy stroll across the lawn in Hyannis Port after announcing their engagement.Credit: Bettmann/Getty The history of the Kennedy Compound dates back to 1926 The sprawling estate is featured in episode 5 of Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette A century later, the political family still gathers there today The Kennedy Compound has years of history to tell. The sprawling compound in Hyannis Port, Mass.
The Kennedy Compound: Inside the Sprawling Hyannis Port Estate as Seen in "Love Story"
Jordana ComiterFri, February 27, 2026 at 8:25 PM UTC
0
John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy stroll across the lawn in Hyannis Port after announcing their engagement.Credit: Bettmann/Getty -
The history of the Kennedy Compound dates back to 1926
The sprawling estate is featured in episode 5 of Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette
A century later, the political family still gathers there today
The Kennedy Compound has years of history to tell.
The sprawling compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., began with a rental from Joseph P. Kennedy in 1926. As additions were built and other members of the storied political family purchased neighboring properties, the estate eventually evolved into a multigenerational compound — and a lasting symbol of the Kennedy legacy.
As pointed out in episode 5 of FX's Love Story: JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, it's more than just a home: it's a place with a lot of "family history," as Ethel Kennedy tells Bessette when she first visits the home on-screen. It served as the base for several events the prominent political family held over the years, from engagement celebrations to presidential campaigns to weddings.
Here's everything to know about the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port.
It was initially rented by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and his wife Rose
A portrait of the Kennedy family in Hyannis, Mass., in the 1930s.Credit: Bachrach/Getty
The Kennedy family planted roots in Hyannis Port in 1926, when 38-year-old millionaire Joseph and his wife Rose rented a summer home on the south shore of Cohasset, according to the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum's website.
Joseph was put up for membership at a nearby exclusive country club but was allegedly rejected for being an Irish Catholic. In turn, he began looking elsewhere and settled on the Hyannisport Club. He then rented the Malcolm Cottage in Hyannis Port, and two years later, bought the house for $25,000.
As time went on, Joseph had several extensions and renovations done and both he and Rose primarily lived there up until their deaths, despite having homes elsewhere.
The same was true for former President John F. Kennedy, who first went to Hyannis Port at 9 years old in 1926. In 1956, he bought his own home there, just behind his father's and looking toward a property owned by his brother Robert F. Kennedy and his wife Ethel. Together, the three properties made up the famous Kennedy Compound.
Hyannis Port was used as a base for JFK's presidential campaign
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy with their daughter Caroline on Nov. 8, 1960, in Hyannis Port, Mass.Credit: Bettmann/Getty
When JFK ran for president in 1960, Hyannis Port served as a base for his campaign, especially during the summers. According to the Hyannis Museum's website, photos of the Kennedy family enjoying the surrounding area took over the press, and as a result, helped boost tourism in the town.
JFK and his family gathered at the Kennedy Compound to await the results of the election, per the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. After his victory was announced, the newly elected president gave his acceptance speech at the Hyannis Armory.
JFK also went on to refer to the home as his "Summer White House."
Ethel quizzed her dinner guests on current events at the compound
A portrait of John F. Kennedy surrounded by his family on Nov. 9, 1960, in Hyannis Port, Mass.Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty
Episode 5 of Love Story sees Bessette visit the compound and endure her first Kennedy family dinner, which includes a political pop quiz from Ethel to the many cousins — and which did happen in real life.
According to J. Randy Taraborrelli's book The Kennedy Heirs, John F. Kennedy Jr. brought Bessette to the Kennedy Compound in September 1994, and just like in the show, warned her to call Ethel "Mrs. Kennedy."
Advertisement
At the first family dinner at the Hyannis Port compound, Bessette was surprised to be quizzed about current events, as was the family tradition. When Ethel asked Bessette her opinion on the federal assault weapons ban, she was unsure, leading the family matriarch to respond, "You may want to read up on it."
Per Taraborrelli's book, Carolyn allegedly told friends later that she had no plans to return to the Kennedy Compound.
Several milestones have taken place in Hyannis Port
John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy on vacation at the Kennedy compound in June 1953 in Hyannis Port, Mass.Credit: Hy Peskin/Getty Images
In addition to being the center of JFK's campaign, the Kennedy Compound has been home to many milestones — both good and bad — experienced by the family.
After JFK proposed to Jackie Kennedy in 1953, they took their official engagement photos on the lawn of the Hyannis Port home. In 1986, Maria Shriver — JFK's niece — married her now ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger in the town at the family's church, St. Francis Xavier.
More recently, RFK and Ethel's granddaughter, Sarah Kennedy, got married at the property in August 2023.
Several funerals and memorial services have also been held at or near the Kennedy Compound.
In 2009, JFK's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was laid to rest in Hyannis Port after her death, per TIME, and Ted Kennedy died in his Hyannis Port home shortly after.
After Ethel's 2024 death, the Kennedy family returned to Hyannis Port for a funeral mass nearby at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, per The New York Times.
The Kennedys still gather there today
The Kennedy Family at their annual Fourth of July party in Hyannis Port, Mass.Credit: Kerry Kennedy/Instagram
While it's been nearly an entire century since the first Kennedy made their way to Hyannis Port, the family still gathers there today.
In July 2025, dozens of the Kennedys posed for a family portrait as they returned to the compound for their annual Independence Day celebration.
"Happy Fourth of July from our family (and friends) to yours!" Kerry Kennedy, RFK's daughter, captioned the photo on Instagram.
For more on the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, pick up PEOPLE's special edition, available now on newsstands and here.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: February 27, 2026 at 03:46PM on Source: PRIME TIME
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle