Read Press Releases of up-coming and past events at the Ford Library and Museum
View pictures of recent events at the Ford Library and Museum
For information on events at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, please call (616) 254-0400.
For
information
on
events
at
the
Ford
Library
in
Ann
Arbor,
Michigan,
please
call
(734)
205-0555.
EXHIBITS
The Life and Times of Gerald R. Ford
Opened September 2, 2008
ANN ARBOR -- A new permanent lobby exhibit presenting the timeline of
Gerald Ford’s life story, featuring over 100 seldom-seen documents
and photos from Library collections. Complements the Betty Ford Biography
permanent exhibit that opened in April 2008 celebrating her 90th birthday.
Presidential Campaigns and Inaugurations, 1948-2004
September 2, 2008 through January 23, 2009
ANN ARBOR -- The Library opens a feature exhibit and companion web gallery
of documents, artifacts, TV campaign spots, and photos from the presidential
campaigns and inaugurations of Gerald Ford’s public life, 1948 to 2004.
Christmas Quilts by Judy M. Thornton
December 12, 2008 - January 29, 2009
ANN ARBOR -- Join the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in celebrating the spirit of the season with a collection of holiday inspired quilts. There is no charge to view this exhibit.
White House in Miniature
January 20 through May 24, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS -- The White House in Miniature exhibit will be back at the Gerald R. Ford Museum. Americans will now have the chance to get an insiders tour of "The Presidents' House" without the hassles of traveling to the nation's capital. That is why John and Jan Zweifel have labored since 1962 to create The White House in Miniature, a breathtaking scale model of the White House that is 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. The replica took more than 35 years to research, design and construct. Exhibit website here.
Among the features are tiny, working televisions, hand-carved chairs and tables, crystal chandeliers, portraits and miniature carpets that reproduce the originals stitch by stitch- each nuance of the White House is painstakingly reproduced to capture the elegance of one of the world's most recognized residences.
Economy in Crisis, 1974
February 11, 2009 to Winter 2010
ANN ARBOR - - Rarely and never-seen archival and museum materials take you inside an earlier economic crisis: the dangerous witch's brew of inflation, unemployment, and OPEC oil supply worries that coined a new word, "Stagflation."
A Child in the White House - Caroline Kennedy’s Dolls
June 19 through August 31, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS -- More than 70 dolls and puppets from 30 countries were given to young Caroline Kennedy, beginning in 1961 when her family entered the White House through 1963 when tragedy ended their brief residency. Foreign dignitaries and first ladies – including Italy's Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani, the Ivory Coast's President Houphouet-Boigny, India's Indira Gandhi, Monaco's Princess Grace, and France's Madame de Gaulle – presented dolls to the First Daughter as state gifts. Other dolls in the collection were gifts from foreign citizens who did not hold official government positions. The collection is on loan from the John F. Kennedy Library.
SPEAKERS AND PROGRAMS
Inauguration Celebration Program
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
GRAND RAPIDS -- The Museum will be open free in honor of the Presidential Inauguration. Television coverage will be broadcast live in the newly remodeled auditorium. Refreshments will be served. Stop in and be one of the first to see The White House in Miniature. No reservations required.
Betty Monkman
White House Curator Emeritus
Friday, January 30, 2009 7:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Join White House Curator Emeritus Betty Monkman as she opens the new feature exhibit The White House in Miniature. Ms. Monkman has worked in the White House curator’s office since 1967, first as museum registrar, then associate curator, and since 1997 as curator. She planned and curated the first exhibition on the White House in 1992 and continues to work closely on other exhibits at the White House Visitor Center. She has written a number of articles on the White House decorative arts and has lectured throughout the country. A reception will follow the talk. Reservations at (616) 254-0384.
Lincoln on Leadership
Contemporary Lessons from a Legendary Leader
January 29, 2009 7:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Best-selling
author of major works of nonfiction, Don Phillips is know for his ability
to tell stories and bring history alive with crisp compelling prose. His
trilogy on American leadership (The Founding Fathers On Leadership, Lincoln On Leadership, Martin
Luther King, Jr. On Leadership) has won worldwide acclaim. His
first book, Lincoln On Leadership, helped pave the way toward
the creation of an entire new genre of books on historical leadership.
This event is sponsored by both the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and Grand
Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. Call
the Hauenstein Center for reservations (616) 331-2770. Use this link for more information.
Presidents Day
Monday, February 16, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum welcomes back John Swartz as George Washington. John will give informal programs on General Washington throughout
the day in the Michigan Room. Presidential birthday cake will be served and admission will be free all day. No reservations required.
Gerald R. Ford Essay Challenge Awards Program
Monday, February 16, 2009 7:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Patriotism was the theme of the 2008 Gerald R. Ford Essay Challenge. The essay contest co-sponsored with The Grand Rapids Press is open to area high school students. The winning essays are read before the presentation of awards. Michigan’s Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, will keynote the event. A reception will follow. For reservations call the Museum at (616) 254-0384.
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Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration
President and Mrs. Lincoln (Fred and Bonnie Priebe) and the renowned Dodworth Saxhorn Band
February 8, 2009 2:00 p.m.
ANN ARBOR - - Here is your opportunity to meet and hear our own Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and members of the Dodworth Saxhorn Band who will be in period costume. Professional re-enactors, Fred and Bonnie Priebe, will portray President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. Our feature band will be the renowned “Dodworth Saxhorn Band” with their original “Saxhorn” instruments and dress of the mid-1800s. Come join in the celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday, enjoy the music of the era, and meet the Lincolns. Free. Open seating. Details call (734) 205-0555. |
Lincoln vs. Douglas
Sesquicentennial Debate by Jim Getty and Tim Connors
February 12, 2009 7:00
p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS -- When Jim Getty takes the stage, he is Abraham
Lincoln. Getty brings Lincoln to life: audiences see and hear
the President recount his homespun stories of youth, his recollections
of his personal and political life, and his special anguish for Gettysburg.
Tim Connors is a life-long resident of Freeport, Illinois, where he
is director of speech and theatre for the Freeport Public Schools. Under
his direction, Freeport has produced nearly two-dozen state qualifiers
in the annual IHSA Speech Competition, eight state finalists, and one
state champion. Join these two men as they bring the Lincoln-Douglas Debate
to life! This event is sponsored by both the Gerald R. Ford Foundation
and Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential
Studies. Call the Hauenstein Center for reservations (616) 331-2770.
Use this link for
more information.
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Noah McCullough
Teen Author
February 14, 2009 2:00 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS - - 13 year author, Noah McCullough, will discuss his book, First Kids: True Stories of All the Presidents' Children. Noah’s fascination with U.S. presidents began with the 2000 election; he is intrigued about the electoral college, party system, campaigning, and the fact that all through history, presidents have shown themselves to be just ordinary people serving in an extraordinary position. First Kids is Noah’s second book. Free. Open Seating. A reception and book signing will follow. Details call (616) 254-0400. |
Noah McCullough
Teen Author
February 15, 2009 2:00 p.m.
ANN ARBOR - - Just in time for President's Day – Join “media superstar” and 13-year-old scholar, Noah McCullough, as he presents his latest book First Kids: True Stories of All the Presidents' Children. Noah is passionate about United States history and believes part of his mission involves getting others “hooked on history,” especially young people. He has been a guest on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey, and The Today Show. First Kids is Noah’s second book. Free. Open Seating. A reception and book signing will follow. Details call (734) 205-0555.
DEADLINES
Gerald R. Ford Foundation Research Travel Grants
September 15, 2008
ANN ARBOR -- Application deadline. The Gerald R. Ford Foundation awards several
research travel grants of up to $2,000 each in support of research in the holdings
of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. A grant defrays travel, living, and
photocopy expenses of a research trip to the Ford Library. More
information.
Gerald R. Ford Scholar Award in
Honor of Robert M. Teeter
May 1, 2009
ANN ARBOR -- Application deadline. A grant of $5000 is awarded
annually to support dissertation research on any aspect of the United
States political process during the latter part of the 20th century. More information.
Last Updated: January 8, 2009
