Caroline's Donation of Jackie's Pink Suit

Gift of Historical Materials Relating to Jacqueline B. Kennedy to The National Archives and Records Administration:

1. The family of the late President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Jacqueline B. Kennedy desires that the Materials referred to in paragraph 2 and described in Appendix A, attached hereto, should be deposited, safeguarded, and preserved in the National Archives of the United States as materials of historical importance. The family further desires to ensure that the Materials never be subject to public display, research, or any other use that would in any way dishonor the memory of Mrs. Kennedy or President Kennedy, or cause any grief or suffering to members of their family.

2. In accordance with the provisions of chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, and subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions hereinafter set forth, I, Caroline Kennedy (hereinafter referred to as the Donor), hereby give, donate, and convey to the United States of America, for deposit in the National Archives of the United States, the clothing and related historical materials (hereinafter referred to as the Materials) that are described in Appendix A, attached hereto.

3. The donor warrants that, immediately prior to the execution of the deed of gift, she possessed title to and all rights and interests in the Materials.

4. Title to the Materials shall pass to the United States of America immediately upon execution of this deed of gift.

5. Upon execution of this deed, the Materials shall be maintained by the United States of America in the National Archives Building in College Park, Maryland, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration in accordance with the pertinent provisions of title 44, United States Code, and provided that at any time after execution the Donor shall be permitted freely to examine any of the Materials during the regular working hours of the depository where they are preserved.

6. Access to the Materials identified in Appendix A shall be restricted in accordance with this paragraph for one hundred (100) years from the date of the execution of this deed of gift, after which time the Archivist of the United States (hereinafter referred to as the Archivist) shall exercise his or her discretion in the handling of the Materials in a manner that takes into account the concerns of the Kennedy family described in paragraph I These restrictions also apply to any photographs of the Materials.

a. None of the Materials shall be placed on public display for any reason whatsoever. 

b. There shall be no access to the Materials for research or scholarly purposes.

c. Access may be provided only to persons authorized to act for a Committee of Congress, for a Presidential committee or commission, or for any other official agency of the United States Government, having authority to investigate matters relating to the death of President John F. Kennedy, for purposes within the investigative jurisdiction of such committee, commission, or agency.

7. Subject to the restrictions imposed herein, the Archivist may dispose of any of the Materials that he or she determines to have no permanent or historical value, provided that prior to any such disposal reasonable efforts are made to notify the Donor and offer return of the Materials.

a. The Archivist may, subject only to restrictions placed upon him by law or regulation, provide for the preservation, arrangement, repair and rehabilitation, and servicing of the Materials as may be needed or appropriate.

8. The Donor hereby gives and assigns to the United States of America all copyrights which she has in the Materials being donated.

Signed: Caroline Kennedy

Date: July 29, 2003

Pursuant to the authority of chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, the foregoing gift of the historical Materials of the Donor is determined to be in the public interest and is accepted on behalf of the United States of America, subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein.

Signed: Archivist of the United States

Date: August 13, 2003

Appendix A

Clothing and personal effects of Jacqueline B. Kennedy worn on November 22, 1963:

1. Pink Chane! Suit - Jacket

2. Pink Chane! Suit - Skirt

3. Blue Blouse

4. Pair of Stockings, wrapped in a white towel

5. Pair of Blue Shoes

6. Blue Purse

7. Portion of Cardboard Box in which materials were delivered to the National Archives; shows address to Mrs. John F. Kennedy, The White House

8. Stationery of "Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss, 3044 0 Street, N.W., Washington 7, D.C.," with handwritten note: "Jackie's suit and bag- worn November 22, 1963"

Source: National Archives and Records Administration