By Brandon Wolf

July 8, 2015: I've only seen Jackie once in my life, but it was an exciting experience. In June of 1972, I was living in the DC area, working as a public relations officer at a community college. 

The local papers announced that Jackie would be visiting the Kennedy Center for the first time on June 5, 1972. She didn't attend the opening the year before, Leonard Bernstein returned and performed the work he wrote for the opening, "Mass". 

At the time, I was disappointed with the pictures, but with the passage of the years, they now seem fun. They certainly capture the pandemonium that is resident when Jackie makes a appearance like this.

I was lucky to be in the press section by accident. I had arrived early, and was wearing a corduroy blazer and had at least two cameras around my neck. I just sort of looked like a press photographer and no one asked.

We were positioned up on an 'island' - Jackie passed by us three times - first, coming down the hall - then she turned and went up the steps, and turned again and passed us on the other side - and finally, for some reason, the velvet ropes maneuvered her back past us once again as she made her way up to the Presidential Box. 

At the time, I rarely used a flash, but brought one. The first picture fired off fine. Then I noticed it was taking a long time to recycle, so I quickly opened the shutter wide and reduced the shutter speed. As soon as the flash was activated again, I'd push the settings back the opposite way. In the process, I got a crazy collection of photos. 

The next day was an RFK Memorial Mass which she attended at Arlington. I've included the local media coverage of her visit. The tabloid is humorous - she 'drove a priest to sin', by taking communion.

My memory of her is that she was truly ethereal. I was surprised how tiny she was - both short and thin. She had a radiant smile.

And honestly, she seemed to just float. I'm glad I saw her in person once - she projects even more charisma in person than she possibly could ever do so in a photograph. And yes, it was like looking at history walking by me.

Image copyright Brandon Wolf.

June 11, 2015 Notes: White House Blue Room floral arrangement from March 22, 1962 by Rusty Young. Until the administration of John F. Kennedy, floral arrangements at the White House had been extremely formal in style. Guided by advice from her horticulturalist friend Rachel Lambert Mellon, Jackie Kennedy began to use looser and more relaxed arrangements, many based upon 16th-century Flemish floral and fruit still lifes. China dishes from previous administrations were used as vases, including two 18th-century dessert coolers used by the Madisons. The White House collection of vermeil tableware, previously only on display in the Vermeil Room, was also used for arrangements. The position of Chief Floral Designer was established, and Rusty Young was the first to occupy the position, continuing to work into the Johnson and Nixon administrations. 

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy)

May 29, 2015 Notes: Rendition by Jake Gariepy of a floral arrangement in Green Room, as decoration for a private dinner in honor of President John F. Kennedy’s birthday. White House, Washington, D.C., June 1, 1962.

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper and Dreamy)

May 16, 2015 Notes: Rare view of items displayed on Caroline Kennedy's bedroom dresser. The items include a lamp, jewelry box, decorative animals, butterfly artwork, and a cute picture of Caroline with Santa Claus.

Source: JFK Library, May 1963 film by Cecil Stoughton. Image edited by Steven L. Brawley.