Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum |
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| General information | |
| Location | Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°58′06″N 85°40′39″W / 42.96833°N 85.67750°W |
| Named for | Gerald Ford |
| Construction started | January 7, 1976 |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on September 18, 1981 |
| Cost | $11 million |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 44,000 sq ft (4,100 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Marvin DeWinter Associates; Jordan Sheperd |
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a special place that honors Gerald Ford, who was the 38th president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. It also honors his wife, Betty Ford. This museum is where President Ford and Mrs. Ford are buried.
You can find the museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, near the campus of Grand Valley State University. It is part of the Presidential library system, which keeps important papers and items from past presidents. The Ford Museum is unique because it is separate from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, which is about 130 miles (209 km) away in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Even though they are in different cities, the museum and library work together as one team.
Contents
Who Was Gerald Ford?
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. was born on July 14, 1913. His birth name was Leslie Lynch King, Jr. He served for almost 25 years in the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 5th congressional district. For eight of those years, he was the leader of the Republican members in the House.
From 1973 to 1974, Ford was the Vice President of the United States. He was the first person to become Vice President under the rules of the 25th Amendment. This amendment allows a new Vice President to be chosen if the position becomes empty. He then became President on August 9, 1974, after Richard Nixon resigned. Ford served as President until January 20, 1977. He is the only U.S. President who was never elected by voters to be either President or Vice President.
Building the Museum
Many people helped raise money to build the museum. Over 14,000 donations came from individuals. The University of Michigan, the State of Michigan, Kent County, and the City of Grand Rapids also contributed.
The museum building is 44,000 square feet (4,088 square meters) and has two stories. It has a unique triangular shape. Marvin DeWinter Associates designed the building, which cost $11 million to construct. The museum opened on September 18, 1981. Many important people attended the dedication, including President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan.
The museum is part of a 20-acre (8-hectare) park complex. This park also includes the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It sits along the west bank of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. One side of the museum has a large glass wall, 300 feet (91 meters) wide. This wall offers great views of the river and downtown Grand Rapids. A reflecting pool and fountain greet visitors at the main entrance. A bridge connects the museum site to downtown hotels and shops.
In 1997, the museum was expanded and its main exhibits were updated. This allowed for more changing exhibits and special events. The Gerald R. Ford Foundation helped fund these improvements and new programs.
What You Can See: Museum Exhibits
The main floor of the museum shows President Ford's life and his time as President. You can see real photos of Ford with his family and co-workers. These photos give a personal look at his life. There is also a full-size copy of the Oval Office, set up just as it was when Ford was President.
Special exhibits highlight the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976. They also show the important role Betty Ford played as First Lady. Other exhibits let you travel by video with President Ford and Secretary Henry Kissinger to different places around the world. You can also take a special tour of the Ford White House using holograms. A sound and light show lets you experience a day in the Oval Office.
A gallery about the Watergate scandal tells the story of the June 1972 break-in. It includes a six-minute video and displays the actual tools used in the burglary. In an interactive Cabinet Room, visitors can pretend to make presidential decisions. You can also see gifts given to Ford by leaders from other countries. There are also personal gifts from the American people. The museum auditorium shows an award-winning film called "A Time To Heal" every hour. A piece of the Berlin Wall stands in the museum's lobby. President Ford dedicated this piece on September 6, 1991.
Permanent Exhibits
- Gerald Ford's America: Shows the pop culture of the 1970s.
- Young Jerry Ford: Covers his early life until he became Vice President.
- Constitution in Crisis: Explores the Watergate years.
- At Work in the Oval Office: A recreated Oval Office from Ford's presidency.
- Leadership in Diplomacy: Highlights Ford's foreign trips with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
- Ford Cabinet Room: A recreated Cabinet Room. Videos here discuss the pardon of Richard Nixon, the seizure of the SS Mayagüez, and the New York City financial challenges.
The museum also has temporary exhibits. These exhibits borrow items from other presidential libraries system, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Archives and Records Administration.
Temporary Exhibits
The museum hosts traveling exhibits from other places. It also creates its own temporary shows.
Museum Collections
The museum has about 20,000 items from the life and career of President Ford. Items related to Mrs. Ford's life are also included. These collections feature Boy Scout materials, gifts from other world leaders, Bicentennial items, re-election campaign materials, and clothing.
Educational Programs and Community Events
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum receive support from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. This foundation helps fund exhibits, educational programs, and research. It also gives awards to journalists and grants to researchers. The foundation's goal is to honor the values President Ford showed during his public service.
The museum works with different groups to host conferences and community events. Museum staff also organize many special events. Each year, the museum hosts ceremonies for new citizens. It also opens its grounds for community parties and Independence Day fireworks. Other regular programs include the Great Decisions Lecture Series. This series brings in guest speakers to talk about foreign policy. High school students can also take part in the Citizens Bee, a competition about history and politics. The American Political Film Series shows movies that often lead to interesting discussions.
The Fords' Funerals
After Gerald Ford passed away on December 26, 2006, many people came to the museum to honor him. Visitors left candles, flags, flowers, and notes at the entrance. From the night of January 2, 2007, to the morning of January 3, about 60,000 people viewed his casket in the museum lobby. On January 3, Ford's body was taken to Grace Episcopal Church for a funeral service. After the service, President Ford was buried on the museum grounds.
When Betty Ford passed away on July 8, 2011, the museum closed to prepare for her funeral. Guests could sign a condolence book in the lobby. Her casket was brought to the museum for public viewing from the evening of July 13 through noon on July 14. A service was then held at Grace Episcopal Church. After the service, Mrs. Ford was buried next to her husband at the museum.
See also
In Spanish: Museo del Presidente Gerald R. Ford para niños
