USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Keel Laying Ceremony

November 14, 2009

The new Ford class carrier will eventualy replace the Nimitiz (CVN 68) class, ensuring continued U.S. Naval supremacy. Susan Ford Bales spoke about the tribute to her father, President Gerald R. Ford.

Rushmore Presidents Perform

The Gerald R. Ford Foundation, the Ford Presidential Library & Museum and Grand Valley’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies hosted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. More than 100 years of combined experience interpreting the Rushmore presidents, they share the stage as a part of Constitution Day celebrations.

Ford Presidential Wreath Laying Ceremony

July 14, 2009

On President Ford’s 96th birthday, July 14, 2009, President Obama, Mrs. Ford and the Ford family laid wreaths at the tomb of the former President. Susan Ford Bales spoke on behalf of Mrs. Ford and the family at the event.

2009 Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Annual Dinner

June 1, 2009

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens received the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Ford family paid tribute to Dr. Henry Kissinger at the annual dinner in Washington, DC on June 1, 2009.

William Seidman at Ford Library

April 22, 2009

Former FDIC chairman and Ford administration official, William Seidman addressed a capacity crowd at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Mr. Seidman, a trustee of the Ford Foundation, spoke on the Ford administration and today’s current economic difficulties that our nation faces.

Patti Matson, Former Assistant Press Secretary to Mrs. Betty Ford

March 31, 2009

Patti Matson was one of only two Nixon staff members retained by the Ford Administration. After serving for Mrs. Nixon, she became the Assistant Press Secretary to Mrs. Betty Ford. Upon leaving The White House she embaraked on a 25 year career at ABC News New York. She is now an independent consultant.

Explanation of the Kettering Foundation Project at the Ford Museum

March 18, 2009

Local teachers and students take part in a National Issues Forum pilot project to discuss issues such as energy and the economy that America must grapple with. The National Issues Forums are sponsored by the Kettering Foundation and occur all across the country.

Peter Baker: President Obama and the First 100 Days

March 9, 2009

Join Peter Baker, former senior White House correspondent for The Washington Post and presently reporting on the White House for The New York Times, as he provides his keen insight and perspective on the new administration.

Noah McCullough at Ford Library

February 14, 2009

Noted young author Noah McCullough discusses his recent books and his love of the history of our First Families and the presidents.

Betty Monkman at Ford Museum

January 30, 2009

Former White House curator, Betty Monkman, drew upon the rich history of the White House to lecture on how America’s greatest residence undergoes tremendous change when a new president moves into the Executive Mansion. Yet for all the changes that do occur, there are many traditions that remain in place.

National Press Club

December 3, 2008

The Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor co-hosted an interactive forum with the National Press Club with a panel of four distinguished Michigan media experts to discuss the First Amendment, freedom of the press, and the future of journalists in the 21st century and beyond.

David Broder at Ford Library

November 18, 2008

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Broder spoke at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library about the 2008 Presidential campaign, an historic election that undoubtedly will change the nation. Broder offered keen insight into all of the main candidates, including John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama.

Ty Cobb Presentation by Norm Coleman at Ford Museum

November 5, 2008

Actor Norman Coleman presented a one man show as the legendary baseball player, Ty Cobb. Drawing on his own extensive research into Cobb, Coleman explained the troubled past and competitive nature of the greatest Detroit Tiger. Coleman’s performance was part of the programming for the exhibit, Born to Play Ball.

Dale Van Atta: Behind the Scnes in the Nixon/Ford White House

October 29, 2008

Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist Dale Van Atta spoke on the Nixon and Ford Administrations. Van Atta wrote the first-ever biography of Melvin Laird, Nixon's Secretary of Defense. A book signing and reception followed.

Jay Hakes: A Declaration of Energy Independence

October 6, 2008

Jay Hakes, past head of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy, and currently head of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, presented his compelling and informative book: A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment.

Rick Atkinson at Ford Library

September 23, 2008

Rick Atkinson, winner of the 2008 Gerald R. Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on National Defense, spoke at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor Tuesday, September 23, 2008. Rich Atkinson, a longtime correspondent and editor for The Washington Post presented the paperback release of The Day of the Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944, the second volume of his Liberation Trilogy. A booksigning followed the event.

Dale Van Atta at Ford Museum

September 9, 2008

Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist, Dale Van Atta, spoke at the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. His book, With Honor: Melvin Laird in War, Peace and Politics, is touted as the third most important historic volume of the Nixon administration, along with memoirs of Nixon and Kissinger.

Jeff Idelson at Ford Museum

August 7, 2008

Jeff Idelson, the president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, spoke on the history of the Hall and baseball as his appearance marked the opening event for the feature, Born to Play Ball. The Ford Museum borrowed numerous items from the Hall for the exhibit, such as Sandy Koufax’s high school glove and Cy Young’s uniform.

Tim Weiner: Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA

June 1, 2008

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Tim Weiner, provided a revelatory and the first exhaustive history of the CIA in his paperback release of Legacy of Ashes: History of the CIA. Weiner has reported on American intelligence from around the world for more than 20 years. His program was held Sunday, June 1, 2008 at the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor.

David Hume Kennerly on News 8

June 1, 2008

Publitzer Prize winning photographer David Hume Kennerly’s interview with WOOD-TV 8’s Rick Albin. Kennerly discussed his years as the White House photographer for President Ford, Kennedy provided rare insight into the events and workings of the Ford administration.

Thomas DeFrank at Ford Museum

November 12, 2007

Noted journalist Tom DeFrank discusses his new book, Write It When I’m Gone, a work based on numerous one-on-one interviews with Gerald R. Ford. The book was published shortly after President Ford’s passing in December, 2006.

Benton Becker at Ford Museum

October 16, 2007

Presidential advisor and Ford administration official, Benton Becker, discussed the early days of the Ford’s presidency, the Nixon pardon, and the evolution of the 25th Amendment. Becker was a key figure in those early days, providing President Ford key advice concerning the legal issues associated with the Nixon resignation.

John Lewis at Ford Museum

October 5, 2007

U.S. Congressman John Lewis spoke at the opening of the Eyewitness exhibit, a nationally traveling show. Congressman Lewis recalled his days as a civil rights leader, and, more specifically, about his role in Selma, Alabama during that fateful “Bloody Sunday”. Lewis’ own words and recollections were used in Eyewitness.

Vice President Cheney at Ford Museum

September 14, 2007

Then Vice-President, Dick Cheney, chose Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum as the site to make a major policy speech regarding the Bush administration’s war on terrorism.

Ford Stamp Dedication at Ford Museum

August 31, 2007

President Ford was honored with a U.S. Post Office commemorative stamp just months after his passing. Michael Ford addressed the audience in this tribute to his father.

Daniel Levitas at Ford Museum

July 4, 2007

Terrorism expert Daniel Levitas spoke at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in conjunction with the museum’s feature exhibit The Enemy Within: Terrorism in America. Mr. Levitas is a nationally recognized expert on domestic terrorism.

U.S.S. Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) Naming Ceremony

January 16, 2007

The Secretary of the Navy announced on January 16, 2007 the selection of "USS Gerald R. Ford" as the name of CVN 78, the first Aircraft Carrier in what will be the "Gerald R. Ford" Class of Carriers.