On January 23, 2016, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is to sell furniture and decorative arts from the famed “Winter White House” in Palm Beach, Florida. This historic collection has been consigned by Mr. and Mrs. John Castle, who purchased the home and much of its contents from the Kennedy family in 1995.
The iconic Palm Beach residence acquired the name “Winter White House” during John F. Kennedy’s presidency as the main vacation home for the President, First Lady Jackie and their children. Having been in the family since the 1930s as the permanent residence of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, the home was a frequent retreat for the President. It was here that John F. Kennedy recovered from back surgery, penned Profiles in Courage, held official presidential meetings and enjoyed intimate family holidays. The Palm Beach residence is even said to have shaped Kennedy for his time served in the South Pacific, predisposing him to tropical weather and life at sea, according to William Doyle, author of PT-109.
The oceanfront estate played host to many important guests. Vice President Lyndon Johnson, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield all visited the home, wherein President Kennedy interviewed all of his Cabinet members (with the exception of Robert McNamara and Robert Kennedy). Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford and Arnold Schwarzenegger are also counted among the many distinguished visitors.
