Kennedys Seek U.S. Architect, Want to Enlarge Library Site

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Library will be designed by an American architect, and it will be substantially larger than President Kennedy anticipated when he chose the site last fall.

These were the two most important conclusions that emerged from a weekend meeting between members of the Kennedy family and an advisory committee of 18 of the world's most eminent architects, designers, and planners.

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy revealed these conclusions late yesterday afternoon at a press conference. He said that the six foreign members of the advisory committee had unanimously recommended that the architect by an American. The committee also suggested the names of several leading American architects.

"The family and the building committee will meet with each one, go over his work, and talk with him," the attorney general said. The choice should be made within six or eight weeks, he added.

More Land Needed

He also said that the advisory group considers the two-acre site near Kresge Hall across the Charles River to be too small for what it thinks the memorial should be. "The concept of an institute, where students can come and study, makes it far greater than had been contemplated (by President Kennedy)," the attorney general commented.

When asked about the possibility of acquiring more land, Kennedy said, "We're going to have to work on that." The land along Western Avenue behind the library site contains several unsightly buildings. Senator Edward M. Kennedy '54 said Saturday that this property is currently the object of litigation between the owners and the Turnpike authority.

Visited Harvard Twice

Members of the family, along with the advisory committee and other members of the staff visited Harvard twice Saturday, once on business, and once for pleasure.

In the morning a bus containing the party, led by Senator Kennedy, visited the library site and were briefed on the geographical features of the plot and its environs, after being given a short bus tour of the Yard.

After returning to the Rits-Carlton Hotel in Boston for an afternoon discussion of the library ideas, the group came once more to Harvard to attend a by-invitation-only 5 p.m. reception for them at Robinson Hall, in the northeast corner of the Yard.