Recent Events Archives

H.W. Brands Seamlessly Tied Together a Range of Topics in a Lively Presentation H.W. Brands came back to the Ford two days after the 2024 presidential election. The bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist spoke about the significance of the Ford...

The Exploration of a Controversial Decision, with Ford Biographer Richard Norton Smith and Board Trustee Hank Meijer Gerald Ford's pardon of his predecessor, Richard Nixon, was one of the greatest acts of political courage in postwar America. It was also one of the...

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian and Best-Selling Author Spoke with Jeff Polet on Navigating the Current Political Climate We were thrilled to partner with Democracy First and the Ford Presidential Museum to bring Doris Kearns Goodwin to the Ford on October 12. A...

NYT Columnist Shared Insights at the Ford New York Times columnist Ross Douthat discussed the state of civil discourse and political polarization in America.  Watch Program   Where Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 When...

Conference on Electoral Mechanics, Processes, and Expectations for Fair and Credible Elections In recent years, the process for securing elections has been called into question. So how do elections really work? What systems are in place to ensure open, fair voting for...

Hank Meijer Moderated Discussion on Ford and The Nixon Pardon Board Trustee Hank Meijer moderated a discussion with Barry Werth, author of 31 Days: Gerald Ford, The Nixon Pardon and a Government in Crisis. Journalist Werth recounted the tumultuous days of August 1974,...

Join us in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the hometown of President Gerald R. Ford, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a heartfelt tribute to the Greatest Generation. This extraordinary event honors the millions of American and Allied...

Friends and Family Spoke on President Ford as the Clock Marked Exact Moments in Presidential History Mike Ford, Steve Ford, Carla Hills, and Albert Zapanta spoke on how an American president can make a positive difference in our world as the clock rolled past some of...

Big Names Took the Stage to Mark the 50th Anniversary of Ford's Oath of Office Ford friends and family came to Grand Rapids to celebrate Ford's historic step into the presidency, including Steve and Mike Ford, sons of President and Mrs. Ford Carla Hills, President...

GRPM Brought Final Installment of "GR Stories" Series to the Ford Presidential Museum Curious about how redlining has affected Grand Rapids? The Grand Rapids Public Museum, along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential...

2024 Annual Dinner Celebrated Ford's 50 Anniversary of Becoming President The backdrop for this year's annual dinner was the 50th anniversary of Gerald R. Ford's inauguration as President of the United States. What a night! In addition to a program of gifted...

Expert Panelists Wowed the House With Stories of Betty Ford's Impact The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation partnered with three impressive organizations to give a free presentation on the work of First Ladies in history, specifically focused on Betty Ford. The...