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Found photos of JFK's Barrington visit to be unveiled

Barrington history and world history overlapped Oct. 25, 1960, but a more complete visual record of John F. Kennedy's pre-election visit to the village is only now being made available for the public to see.

Barrington High School Class of ‘62 alumna Joyce Taillon recently discovered many photos of Kennedy's visit while looking through a family album.

She has donated all the photos to the high school, where they will be publicly displayed from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 — the day before the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination.

Previously, Barrington High School held only one photo of the historic visit, which culminated with Kennedy speaking on the school's front steps less than two weeks before he was elected president.

Barrington Unit District 220 spokesman Jeff Arnett said the donated photos include several small Polaroids as well as 11 inch by 14 inch black-and-white pictures.

Though the photos capture many obviously enthusiastic Kennedy supporters, some protesters carrying signs for Republican opponent Richard Nixon can also be seen, Arnett said.

After the initial public showing Nov. 21, the photos will be incorporated into Barrington High School's Future Presidents Exhibit, which also includes a record of President Barack Obama's pre-election visit.

Taillon and other members of her family will take part in the unveiling of the photos in the front lobby of the high school at 616 W. Main St. next week.

Kennedy made a few stops in the Northwest suburbs on Oct. 25, 1960, but Barrington was where one of his former Navy PT-109 crew members lived, Arnett said.

Sen. John F. Kennedy greets crowds at Barrington High School on Oct. 25, 1960, as seen in a newly found photo that’s part of a collection to be unveiled Thursday, Nov. 21, at the school. courtesy of Barrington Unit District 220
Sen. John F. Kennedy speaks from the front steps of Barrington High School less than two weeks before being elected president, in a newly found photo that’s part of a collection to be unveiled Thursday, Nov. 21 at the school. courtesy of Barrington Unit District 220
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