The Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built to honor America’s 38th President and Grand Rapids native, opened in September 1981. Since then, it’s been providing a fascinating view into the life and Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.
The museum has a number of permanent exhibits that use re-creations, video, and interactive displays to give visitors a feel for the times. Visitors can sit in a reproduction of the Cabinet Room while videos present important issues that President Ford dealt with in the 1970s. They can also enter the Oval Office and hear actors’ voices portraying President Ford, Secretary of State Kissinger, and other historic figures. In the Leadership in Diplomacy exhibit, they can travel around the world with Ford and Kissinger, and even see an authentic UH-1 Huey helicopter from the era.
Then visitors can travel further back in time to follow Ford’s journey from boy to President in the Young Jerry Ford exhibit. This exhibit presents a re-creation of Ford’s father’s paint company, and takes viewers through Ford’s career path, including his vice-presidential confirmation hearings.
The museum will present a special exhibit called Growing Up Grand From November 2013 to May 2014. It will feature photos, documents, and artifacts from Gerald R. Ford’s birth in Nebraska to his childhood in Grand Rapids and graduation from the University of Michigan.
The Gerald R. Ford Museum has several special events coming up. The museum will host ArtPrize 2013 from Sept. 18 to Oct 6. Twenty-five artists will participate, and art will be displayed both inside and outside the museum. The museum’s annual Outdoor Tree Lighting will be on Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. There will be a sing-along and refreshments, and admission is free. The Holiday Open House will be held on Dec. 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The festivities will include holiday music, storytelling, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Gerald R. Ford Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The museum is located at 303 Pearl Street NW in Grand Rapids, 49504. The phone number is 616-254-0400.
A visit to the Gerald R. Ford Museum is a great way to gain insight into his presidency and our democracy, and learn fascinating facts about his life and times.