For amateur historian David Keyes, every day is Presidents Day. The 57-year-old Cambridge native has been collecting pieces of presidential history since childhood, and is now sharing some of his mementos at the Cambridge branch of the Dorchester County Public Library.

Though born in 1965, two years after JFK's assassination, Keyes counts him as an inspirational personal favorite. Mementos of the youthful fallen leader, First Lady Jackie and youngsters Caroline and JFK Jr. figure prominently in his artifact trove.

During Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign stop at Spring Valley in Cambridge, just across the street from the library, Keyes' mom got to shake the senator's hand.

In 2004, Keyes himself got to visit the "very impressive" JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. High atop his bucket wish list is being able to travel to all the others.

While some of his presidential mementos have come courtesy of the Franklin Mint, Keyes has found several items on Facebook. He also delights in combing through antiques shops as well as relatives' residences.

At the old Packing House antiques mall, he found a signed copy of Jackie Kennedy's 1962 book on the White House. He found a second copy, also signed, while cleaning out his grandmother's home. Another prized Jackie item is one of the First Lady's iconic original pillbox hats.

Keyes is quick to credit his parents - both history lovers - with his unquenchable thirst for presidential collectibles. But he also counts his C-SD high school teacher Shirley McWilliams as a major supporter.

"She taught me things I didn't know about Eisenhower, Truman and Hoover, and I taught her about JFK, LBJ, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford," Keyes recalled.

His grandparents also shared their memories with him of FDR's famous visit marking the Harrington Bridge dedication.

Though this is his first presentation at Dorchester's downtown library, Keyes has been sharing his collection since his 20s at schools, county fairs and other community venues. During his 18 years employed with Mallard Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Keyes regularly brought in the presidential keepsakes to help the residents reminisce. On Nov. 22, he'd offer a tribute to JFK on the anniversary of his assassination.

"Everyone remembered exactly where they'd been and how shocked they'd felt that day in 1963," Keyes said, adding that "every single person only had good things to say" about the fallen president who was still so vivid in memory.

To personally show his respects, Keyes regularly places American flags at the site of JFK's commemorative plaque marking his visit to Cambridge at Spring Valley, and FDR's plaque in front of the presidential yacht elevator at Long Wharf.

But this year, Keyes has incorporated another honorary flag placement at Spring Valley, at the Beacon of Hope statue of Harriet Tubman.

For more information about hours to visit the library and view the display, call 410-228-7331.