JFK exhibit extended onboard SS Lane Victory in San Pedro

A special exhibit remembering President John F. Kennedy on board the SS Lane Victory, a floating museum in San Pedro, has been extended through Jan. 27.

The memorabilia, which includes campaign items, photographs and video, was put on display in memory of the 60-year anniversary of the former president’s assassination on Nov. 22, 1963.

Folks can visit the exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays on the Lane Victory, a historic Merchant Marine ship docked at Berth 52, 2400 Miner St., in San Pedro’s Outer Harbor at the Port of Los Angeles.

The display opened Nov. 4 and proved popular throughout the holiday season, said curator Barrie Getz, so the decision was made to extend it. It was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, Jan. 6.

With campaign memorabilia among the items on display, the exhibit is also timely as the nation approaches the 2024 presidential election.

The nonprofit museum ship is one of only three Victory ships from the World War II era. It also served during the Korean War and Vietnam War. The ship, built in 1945, also served during times of peace as part of the merchant fleet.

It was salvaged and restored by a group of volunteer veterans and now serves as a memorial docked in San Pedro.

An ongoing effort is underway to raise funds for work that volunteer supporters say they hope will serve to relaunch the nonprofit memorial ship’s recreational sails to Catalina Island. The ship needs dry dock service as well, another expense for which donations are being collected.

The ship also needs additional volunteers, especially those with Navy ship experience and knowledge.

For information visit the ship’s website at lanevictory.org.