Image of the empty presidential limousine waiting at Dallas Love Field

The fabric bearing the presidential seal seen inside the left rear door is the front portion of a lap robe that was wrapped around a pole and stored inside the presidential limousine. Each rear door had a matching lap robe (or blanket) installed, a unique feature of the custom-built presidential limousine, that was meant to be removed and used to keep warm in cold temperatures. Neither lap robe was used on November 22, 1963. One of them, believed to be the one stored on Jackie Kennedy's side of the vehicle (seen here), is now part of the Museum's Collection: https://emuseum.jfk.org/objects/54299. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator

This photograph clearly demonstrates that the middle jump seats, where Governor and Mrs. Connally were seated, were several inches lower than the rear seat of the presidential limousine. When unfolded, the Connallys placed their feet in the small space where the seats are stored in this photograph. This is a significant point when considering the single or "magic" bullet theory. Inaccurate models place President Kennedy and Governor Connally at the same height in perfect alignment. In reality, at the time of the shooting, Govenor Connally was approximately four inches lower than President Kennedy and three inches further inboard. In his 1964 Warren Commission testimony, Governor Connally estimated that the Kennedys were seated "approximately six inches higher than the jump seats on which Mrs. Connally and I sat." -- Stephen Fagin, Curator 

Object featured in special exhibition, Two Days in Texas, November 8, 2023 through September 28, 2024.