President Gerald R. Ford Jr. Boyhood Home facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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President Gerald R. Ford Jr. Boyhood Home
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 649 Union Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan |
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| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000073 |
| Added to NRHP | February 27, 1995 |
The President Gerald R. Ford Jr. Boyhood Home is a special house in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its history. Future President Gerald R. Ford lived here from 1921 to 1930. He was between 8 and 17 years old during that time. Of all the places he grew up, Ford remembered this house the most.
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What Was Life Like for Gerald Ford Here?
This house at 649 Union SE was built around 1910. In 1921, Gerald Ford's family had some money problems. They started renting this house on Union Street. In 1925, they were able to buy it.
School and Sports at the Union Street Home
While living on Union Street, young Gerald Ford went to public schools. He first attended Madison School. Then, he went to South High School. He was very active in sports there. Most notably, he played football. Ford was an All-State center. In 1930, during his senior year, he was captain of the football team. His family had moved from the Union Street house by then.
The Garage: A Secret Hideaway
Ford and his friends used the garage at the house as a social club. He remembered it as a "great hideaway." They would play games like penny-ante poker there. Ford thought his parents wouldn't climb the ladder to the second floor of the garage.
What Does the House Look Like Today?
The Union Street house is a 2+1⁄2-story building. It is built in the Colonial Revival style. The outside is covered with weatherboard. The house is mostly rectangular. It has a porch across the front. There is also a small extension at the back.
The roof has gables on the sides. A wide dormer window is on the front of the house. Most windows are double-hung. This means they have two sashes that slide up and down. The attic windows are different. They have a fixed center pane with smaller windows on each side.
Recent Care for the Historic Home
Today, the house is a private home. In 2013, the outside of the house was painted. This was done to restore its original look. Workers used seven different colors. The painting took more than 500 hours to complete. Third Coast Color Painting Co. of Grand Rapids did the work.
