Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens facts for kids
The Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska, is a special place. It marks where U.S. president Gerald R. Ford was born. He lived there for just a few weeks in July 1913. It was the home of his grandparents, Charles Henry and Martha King.
Contents
The Story of the Birthplace
The King family home was a large, three-story Victorian mansion. It stood at 3202 Woolworth Avenue in Midtown Omaha. Sadly, a fire badly damaged the house in 1971. Because of the damage, the house had to be torn down.
After Ford became president in 1974, a local businessman named James M. Paxson bought the empty land. He wanted to create a memorial there. Mr. Paxson later donated the site to the city. City officials said they could not afford to build the memorial. So, Mr. Paxson started the Paxson Foundation. This foundation helped pay for the memorial and its beautiful gardens. The site now has a special entrance that looks like part of the White House. It also has a pagoda that reminds visitors of the original home.
Remembering President Ford
The memorial was officially opened in 1977. President Ford helped Mr. Paxson raise money for it. In 1980, the former president returned for another special event. A rose garden was dedicated in honor of his wife, Betty Ford. There is also a small display with information about President Ford.
Right next to the memorial is the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center. This center was started in 1995. It is part of the Nebraska State Historical Society. The center helps to preserve old and artistic items. It also has a small exhibit of things related to Ford. You need to make an appointment to visit the center or its exhibit.
These two sites are near Hanscom Park, one of Omaha's oldest parks. The birthplace site is also close to the Gerald R. Ford Expressway.
President Ford's Early Life
The house belonged to President Ford's grandparents. His grandfather, Charles Henry King, was a well-known banker. His grandmother was Martha Alicia Porter. Their son, Leslie Lynch King, Sr., married Dorothy Ayer Gardner in 1912. The young couple moved into the house with his parents. This was a common practice at the time. Their son, Leslie Lynch King, Jr., was born on July 14, 1913.
Dorothy Gardner separated from Leslie King when their son was only 16 days old. She took her son to live with her parents in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is where the future president grew up. By the end of 1913, Dorothy's divorce from Leslie King was final. In 1916, Dorothy married Gerald Rudolff Ford. They renamed her son after him, calling him Gerald Rudolff Ford, Jr. He was never formally adopted. He legally changed his name in 1935. He also used a more common spelling for his middle name, Rudolph.
See also
