Edward M. Kennedy Institute to Launch New Multimedia Visitor Experience December 9

Dynamic exhibits will feature the U.S. Senate’s history and impact, the Kennedy family and their iconic Cape Cod house, and the idea of everyday diplomacy

October 15, 2026 (Boston, MA) — The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (EMKI) announced today the launch of new interactive multimedia exhibits that will provide a more personal connection to how civics have and continue to shape our everyday lives, delving into the role and impact of the Senate within American history, and exploring ways to find common ground both in legislative affairs and in life. Slated to open to the public on December 9, the exhibits invite visitors to experience and engage with democracy, building upon signature features including Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s Washington, D.C. office and the world’s only full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber.

“We’re excited to create educational and fun experiences that honor Senator Kennedy’s commitment to civic service during his nearly five-decade tenure in the U.S. Senate,” said Interim CEO Joe Hale. “The content in these new exhibits are purposefully designed to create meaningful, personal connections to the core values of civic education and finding common ground in our lives.”

New visitor experiences will include:

• The signature interactive participatory experience Dinner Diplomacy, designed to translate the values of civic discourse into a personal and relatable tool for every visitor. Guests are seated at the dinner table for a gathering of friends, gaining a deeper understanding that the ideas of civil discourse are practiced closer to home as the experience navigates difficult conversations, consider other perspectives, and resist the need to force agreement. 
• An immersive multimedia presentation in the Senate Chamber replica that will illustrate the Senate’s role and historical impact on significant policies for the people and the nation.
• Dynamic interactive exhibits that will allow guests to explore the work and legacy of senators and individuals past and present who helped move the nation forward.
• A model replica of the Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy House, part of a new exhibit detailing how Kennedy family life and American politics intersected at the iconic Cape Cod landmark owned and maintained by the Kennedy Institute.

Inviting visitors to experience democracy to its fullest at the Kennedy Institute will provide a valuable opportunity for visitors to better understand our country’s democratic processes and actively utilize skills that are used in civic participation and engagement. These exhibits are complemented by robust civic education programs that more than 20,000 educators and students participate in annually. In July, EMKI facilitated a Senate-style floor debate and vote for a national AI classroom policy, created by 100 student senators representing all 50 states, during the America’s Youth AI Festival.

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About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Founded in 2015, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. Home to the only full-scale replica of the United States Senate in the world, the Kennedy Institute also facilitates experiential civic education programs that has to date served nearly 200,000 students nationally. Learn more at emkinstitute.org.