Which Weld Room?

Where John F. Kennedy lived his upperclass years at Harvard--Winthrop--is now a guest suite for visiting dignitaries. But his freshman room, Weld 15, each year houses seven new undergraduates, few of whom realize their suite's lineage.

Each year different suites in Weld have established themselves as the "Kennedy Suite." Jeffrey Levy '86 who lived in Weld 45 last year said "During freshman week we heard that Kennedy had lived in Weld North, and when our proctor told us she thought he might have been in our suite we appropriated the name Kennedy Suite.

Levy describes the room as decorated to commemorate Kennedy, including a "JFK" made out of rug scraps that hung on the wall and a collage poster of Kennedy from the Coop. "All our invitations to parties were addressed. 'The Kennedy Suite invites you to...,'" Levy adds.

This year Weld South 24 appropriated the title of Kennedy Suite. "The first person who claims that they're in the Kennedy Suite gets it, because everyone thinks they know what they're saying," said George J. Gilbert '87. "We answer the phone 'Kennedy Suite,'" Gilbert added.

None of the seven males who live in Weld 15 North this year have ever answered their phone with that boast, although they are the only Weld Hall inhabitants who can actually claim the title.

The confusion has existed because Weld Hall underwent renovation in 1962, and the rooms were completely renumbered. The 1936-37 Harvard University Catalogue shows J.F. Kennedy '40 living in Weld 32. According to a floor plan of Weld before it was renovated Weld 32 was on the first floor on the North side where 15 is now located.

And what is life like in the official. "Kennedy Suite" of Weld Hall? "We play chess, and we watch Batman every day, said Bruce M. Klucklohn '87 basking in his newly discovered glory.