Composite Grand Rapids Accessions

Container List

Box 1

ARTHUR D. WOLF: Papers, 1974-77 (20 pages)

Acc. No. 78-46

Wolf was a constituent of Gerald Ford. Included are 1975 and 1976 Christmas cards from the Fords; thank you letters for messages of support received from Wolf when Ford was Vice President and President; and acknowledgments from Roland Elliott, White House Director of Correspondence, for letters Wolf sent expressing his opinions on a variety of issues. Wolf's letters to Ford are not included.

WOTV TIME LIFE BROADCAST: Videotapes and Photographs, 1972-77 (14 photographs and 2 tapes)

Acc. No. 80-4

Photographs from Gerald Ford’s 1972 trip to China and videotapes of the China trip and Gerald Ford’s visits to the Fifth Congressional District as Congressman, Vice President and President. The photographer was Tom O’Rourke of WOTV. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

FRANK MEYER: PHOTOGRAPHS, 1972 (23 Prints and 13 Negatives)

Acc. No. 80-17

Photographs and negatives made from slides that Meyer took while accompanying Gerald Ford on his 1972 trip to China. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

ROBERT G. HOWLETT: Papers, 1966-70 (19 pages)

Acc. No. 80-23 (see also Acc. No. 88-NLF-027)

Mr. Howlett is a Grand Rapids lawyer. Originals and some photocopies of correspondence between Howlett and Congressman Gerald Ford. Subjects include labor disputes, agricultural pilot training schools in Latin America, Howlett's interest in being appointed to the National Labor Relations Board, and the Leadership Gift Dinner in May 1970 honoring Gerald R. Ford and William G. Milliken.

GEORGE BOUCHER: Papers, 1948-58 (4 pages)

Acc. No. 80-25

Boucher was youth chairman for Ford's first campaign for Congress in 1948 and was also involved in the 1958 congressional campaign. Included are photocopies of a letter to the editor of the Grand Rapids Press from Boucher supporting Ford during the 1948 campaign, two letters of thanks to Boucher for his campaign participation in 1948 and 1958, and a letter from Ford concerning reciprocal trade legislation in 1953.

MARTIN BUTH: Photograph, 1950 (1 print)

Acc. No. 80-26

Photograph of Gerald Ford campaigning for re-election on the farm of Martin Buth in Comstock Park, Michigan. Appearing in the photograph are Buth, Ford, and Buth’s son George. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

O. W. LOWRY: Photograph, ca. 1958 (1 print)

Acc. No. 80-27

Photograph of Betty Ford and the Ford children taken by the Washington Post. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

STANTON W. TODD: Papers, 1946-48 (7 pages)

Acc. No. 81-15

Stanton Todd was involved with the Kent County Republican Committee and the Republican Home Front when Gerald R. Ford first campaigned for Congress in 1948. Included are a form letter from the Kent County Republican Committee when Gerald R. Ford, Sr. was chairman in 1946, a sample of Republican Home Front stationery when Gerald R. Ford, Jr. was its president, a form letter from Bartel Jonkman sent to voters during the primary campaign in 1948, a list of Republican Home Front officials, and an issue of the McKay machine's Michigan Times, September 3, 1948.

MRS. COLLINS C. (KAY) CLARK: Papers, 1948-75 (100 pages)

Acc. No. 81-16 (see also Acc. No. 84-38 and Acc. No. 99-34)

Mrs. Clark was a friend of Betty Ford and a volunteer worker in Ford's campaign for Congress in 1948. Included are the following items from the 1948 campaign: an August 6 form letter from Gerald R. Ford concerning the primary election, a biographical sketch of Ford, and one sheet of Ford For Congress stationery. The following printed materials are also included: an article from the January 9, 1949, issue of the Grand Rapids Herald concerning Ford's first days in Washington; a special issue of Grand Rapids magazine on Ford's career, October 1974; and the July 28, 1975, Time magazine cover of the Ford family.

GRAND RAPIDS CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT: Records, 1962-67 (16 pages)

Acc. No. 81-41

Photocopies of correspondence from the Grand Rapids City Planning Department files relating to attempts to get a new federal building in Grand Rapids. Included are two letters from Congressman Ford to Edward J. Frey, mayor of Grand Rapids, and correspondence between the city and the General Services Administration.

IRENE M. CANFIELD: Photograph, 1961 (1 print)

Acc. No. 81-51

Photograph of Gerald Ford with a group of Gold Star Mothers from Grand Rapids who were visiting Washington in June 1961. Pictured are: Belle Van Dyk, Nettie Stank, Naomi Bennette, Irene Canfield, Gerald Ford, Mar Boss, Myrtle Elderkin, and Mae Tenske. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

MICHAEL L. HALE: Photograph, 1970 (1 print)

Acc. No. 81-52

Photograph of Gerald Ford participating in the flag raising ceremony at the Welcome Home for the Blind in Grand Rapids on August 25, 1970. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

BERNON W. YOUNG: Papers, 1945-72 (18 pages)

Acc. No. 81-53

Sixteen letters from Congressman Ford to Bernon Young when Young was serving as chairman of the Rockford (Michigan) Housing Commission. The letters concern Rockford's application to H.U.D. for a senior citizen housing project, the dedication of Rogue Valley Towers, and a thank you letter for Young's assistance on the Ford campaign in 1972. Also included are an "Award for Service" certificate for Dr. W. C. Young from the Michigan Office of Civilian Defense signed by Gerald R. Ford, Sr.

ELAINE SHAW: Papers, 1955-62 (10 pages)

Acc. No. 81-54

A program for the dedication ceremonies of the United States Post Office in Grand Rapids on December 1, 1962, and photocopies of newspaper clippings concerning the appointment of H. Wayne Parker as postmaster.

MRS. HOWARD CARPENTER: Photograph, 1928 (1 print)

Acc. No. 82-54

Photograph of Boy Scouts at Camp Shawondosse, July 30, 1928. Gerald Ford is holding the flag. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

JOHN MISIUS: Photographs, Undated (4 Negatives)

Acc. No. 82-55

Four photographs of Gerald Ford visiting the “new” Lear Siegler plant. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

RICHARD W. VANDER WERP: Photograph, 1928 (1 print)

Acc. No. 82-57

Photograph of the Grand Rapids South High School Boys Glee Club. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

JOSEPH MCINTOSH: Photographs, Undated (16 Negatives and Contact Prints)

Acc. No. 82-69

Photographs taken by McIntosh of the first Scout Honor Guard on Mackinac Island. McIntosh, Gerald Ford, and six other Eagle Scouts comprised the Honor Guard. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

CHARLES M. KINDEL: Papers, 1925-76 (25 pages)

Acc. No. 82-70

Mr. Kindel served as Gerald R. Ford's scoutmaster in Troop 15 of Grand Rapids. The papers consist of a membership record, clippings, a booklet, newsletters, a fact sheet, and one letter concerning Ford's membership in the Boy Scouts, the history of Troop 15, and a visit by Kindel to the White House to present President Ford with the annual report of the Boy Scouts of America for 1974.

GEORGE terHORST: Papers, 1970-73 (200 pages)

Acc. No. 84-35

A media plan drawn up by Insight, Inc., drafts of texts for television spots, and multiple copies of eight different brochures for the 1970 congressional campaign; a 1972 campaign plan; and a copy of Know Your Congress, 1973 with a picture of Ford on the cover.

MISCELLANEOUS CAMPAIGN LEAFLETS DONATED TO THE FORD MUSEUM, 1968-80 (200 pages)

Acc. No. 84-37

Campaign leaflets for Gerald Ford, George Romney, George McGovern, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bob Dole, Harold Stassen, Howard Baker, John Connally, Barry Commoner, Thomas Eagleton, and Ike Skelton. Also included are an announcement of a reception in Grand Rapids with Vice President Ford, Equal Rights Amendment leaflets, and a program for the 1980 Republican National Convention.

MRS. COLLINS C. (KAY) CLARK: Papers, 1948 (1 item)

Acc. No. 84-38 (see also Acc. No. 81-16 and Acc. No. 99-34)

A Gerald R. Ford, Jr. for Congress campaign card.

Box 2

MISCELLANEOUS CAMPAIGN LEAFLETS DONATED TO THE FORD MUSEUM, 1976 (200 PAGES)

Acc. No. 85-12

Multiple copies of ten different 1976 Ford campaign leaflets.

BARBARA AMBERG: Papers, 1970-72 (800 pages)

Acc. No. 85-13

Materials compiled and used by high school students, including the donor's son, who supported Ford's opponent, Jean McKee, in the 1970 and 1972 congressional campaigns. Included are research notes on Ford's voting record, Ford quotes, precinct information, and instructions for canvassing.

Box 3

Continuation of BARBARA AMBERG: Papers, 1970-72

ROBERT G. HOWLETT: Papers, 1959-76 (9 pages)

Acc. No. 88-27 (see also Acc. No. 80-23)

Photocopies of letters to Howlett from Gerald Ford regarding Republican Party matters, from Richard Nixon regarding Kent County politics, and from Robert H. Finch regarding an invitation to Nixon to speak in Kent County. Also includes an order signed by Gerald R. Ford designating Howlett Chairman of the Federal Service Impasses Panel.

AL SMITH: Audiovisual Materials, 1966 (1 film and 1 videotape)

Acc. No. 88-32

Film and videotape of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Symphony Choir’s concert in March 1966. Gerald Ford was the narrator. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

JACK P. SAGE: Papers, 1949-78 (100 pages)

Acc. No. 89-1

Jack Sage is District Conservationist with the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District. Papers document Gerald R. Ford's dealings with the Ottawa District, and include correspondence relating to plans for attending meetings, district tours and visits to projects, obtaining appropriations for soil mapping and the Pine Shoot Moth Research Project, and obtaining federal land for Ottawa County to use for recreational purposes.

HAROLD MERCER: Grand Rapids Press Issues, 1973-81 (300 pages)

Acc. No. 89-3

Selected issues of the Grand Rapids Press: October 13, 1973; October 30, 1974; July 18, 1975; November 3, 1975; July 4, 1976; July 12, 1976; and September 13, 1981. . [Transferred to oversize folder]

THORNE J. BROWN: Papers, 1948 (1 page)

Acc. No. 90-6

A form letter about the 1948 primary election from Gerald R. Ford to the donor's father.

FRED GILLETTE: Papers, 1974 (2 pages)

Acc. No. 90-7

An invitation to a fund raising reception hosted by the Kent County Republican Finance Committee with Vice President Ford as honored guest, and a ticket order form.

ROBERT FAULHABER: Papers, 1960 (5 pages)

Acc. No. 90-8

Photocopies of correspondence from Congressman Ford to the donor's father, Arthur D. Faulhaber, regarding the presentation of an 1863 issue of the Grand Rapids Democrat to President Eisenhower.

GEORGE HOPPER: Papers, 1970 (4 pages)

Acc. No. 90-9

George Hopper was with the N.A.P.A. Distribution Center of Grand Rapids. Letters to Hopper from Congressman Ford, and carbon copies of letters to Ford from Caspar Weinberger, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, regarding guarantee/warranty aspects of automobile tires.

ANNE PERKINS: Photographs, 1953 (5 prints)

Acc. No. 90-26

Photographs taken at the Grand Rapids South High School Homecoming on November 25, 1953. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

EDWARD P. AND DOLORES H. LAUX: Papers, 1959 (1 page)

Acc. No. 90-30

Edward and Dolores Laux were the owners of Lowell Construction Company. A telegram from Congressman Ford to Lowell Construction announcing that the Army Corps of Engineers had awarded a contract to the company.

HERBERT BOSHOVEN: Papers, 1975 (100 pages)

Acc. No. 91-13

November 1975 issue of House Beautiful, which has articles about the Fords and entertaining at the White House, and newspaper clippings.

CLARA PIERCE: Papers, 1969 (1 page)

Acc. No. 91-21

Letter from Gerald R. Ford to Thomas Brawley upon Mr. Brawley's retirement from Lear Siegler, Inc.

LESTER B. THOMAS: Photographs, ca. 1951-65 (7 prints)

Acc. No. 91-55

Photographs of Gerald Ford and Mrs. Geraldine Masters. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

KENT COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE: Marriage Record, 1917 (1 page)

Acc. No. 92-24

Certified true copy of the marriage certificate of Gerald R. Ford, Sr. and Dorothy G. King.

MARTIN J. ALLEN: Videotapes, 1991 (3 tapes)

Acc. No. 92-51

Videotapes of the highlights of the first ten years of the Gerald R. Ford Museum, from the dedication to the 10^th anniversary celebration. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

JOYCE GALE: Letters from Congressman Ford, 1964 (2 pages)

Acc. No. 92-54

Letters from Gerald R. Ford to Mr. B. D. Zondervan regarding an invitation to address the convention of Gideons International in Grand Rapids.

ANDREW DYKEMA: Rough Grading Plan for the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 1979 (6 pages)

Acc. No. 93-10

Contractor's copy of the rough grading plan for the Gerald R. Ford Museum. The plan is signed, "Jerry Ford."

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Student Record of Gerald R. Ford at South High School, 1931 (5 pages)

Acc. No. 93-34

Student record of Gerald R. Ford at South High School, 1929-31. Accession includes copy of a letter from Superintendent Runkel to Mrs. Dorothy Downton dated April 29, 1975, transmitting transcript requested on behalf of President Ford.

Acc. No. 94-11 (See Acc. No. 03-5)

RICHARD RUGE: Photograph, 1965? (1 print)

Acc. No. 94-37

Newspaper photograph of House Minority Leader Gerald Ford and an unidentified gentleman. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

Box 4

RONALD CHRISTENSEN: Clippings and Memorabilia, 1970-73 (25 pages)

Acc. No. 94-52

Clippings from the Grand Rapids Press about the Ford family, the December 7, 1973, issue of Time, invitations to political fundraising events, a Christmas card from the Ford family, and a Congressman Ford postcard.

JEFF DAVIS: Films and Tapes, 1970-72 (1 foot)

Acc. No. 95-18

Broadcast tapes, 16 mm.films, and audiotapes from Gerald Ford’s 1970 and 1972 congressional campaigns. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

MR. & MRS. GERRET HEUVELHORST: Congratulatory Letter, 1957 (1 page)

Acc. No. 96-13

A congratulatory letter sent to Mr. and Mrs. Gerret Heuvelhorst on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary by Congressman Ford.

GERALD ELLIOTT: Photographs and Draft Article about Congressman Gerald Ford, 1958 (23 prints and 26 pages)

Acc. No. 96-14

Manuscripts of two versions of an unpublished feature article entitled "Congressman on Main Street." Also photographs taken by Ralph Truax of Gerald Ford in or near his mobile office. [Photographs transferred to the AV Collection]

RICHARD BULLOCK: Scottish Rite Memorial Program for Gerald R. Ford, Sr., 1963 (1 item)

Acc. No. 96-26

Scottish Rite Memorial Program for Gerald R. Ford, Sr.

DORRELL BRADFORD: Videotape, 1956? (1 tape)

Acc. No. 96-28

Videotape of a July 4^th parade (ca. 1956), featuring Gerald R. Ford riding in the parade and as a beauty queen judge. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

CURTIS AND MARY ALICE GREEN: Film, 1954 (1 Film)

Acc. No. 96-29

Film of Gerald Ford with the Great Lakes Chorus in Washington, DC. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

JAMES MCNITT: Papers, 1975-1996 (60 pages)

Acc. No. 97-7

Grand Rapids South High School classmate of Gerald Ford. Memoir about Gerald Ford in high school (4 pages), newspaper articles, and Class of 1931 reunion booklet for 1995.

EVELYN LIVINGSTON: Photograph, 1936 (1 print)

Acc. No. 98-6

Photograph of the 1936 senior class of Grand Rapids Central High School. Betty Ford was a member of the class. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

PRESIDENTIAL TRIBUTE COMMITTEE: Videotapes, 1997 (5 tapes)

Acc. No. 98-8

Videotapes of coverage for “A Presidential Tribute to Gerald R. Ford.” They cover various events associated with the dedication of the new core exhibit at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

NEAL ANDRE: Letter, 1962 (1 page)

Acc. No. 98-21

Letter from Congressman Gerald Ford to Andre concerning the Kennedy-Freeman agriculture bill.

MARY LUKENS: Ella Koeze Memoir, 1974 (10 pages)

Acc. No. 98-26

An account of the activities of the Kent County Republican “Home Front” group in the 1940s, Gerald Ford’s entry into politics, and her memories of the Ford family.

MRS. COLLINS C. (KAY) CLARK: Papers, 1945-83 (1200 pages)

Acc. No. 99-34

Personal correspondence with members of the Ford family, a program for a Betty Ford dance performance (1946), documents concerning Gerald Ford’s congressional and presidential campaigns, a copy of her oral history about President Ford conducted by National Archives staff in 1980, photographs, newspaper clippings about the Fords.

Box 5

Continuation of MRS. COLLINS C. (KAY) CLARK: Papers, 1945-83

ROBERT B. SULLIVAN: Check, 1949 (1 page)

Acc. No. 02-12

Sullivan served as Commander of Amvet’s Hewitt Madigan Post #126. He kept a check from Gerald Ford to the Amvet’s Post as a keepsake rather than cashing it.

Box 6

DAVID AND MARY HUNTING: Scrapbook, 1967-76 (300 pages)

Acc. No. 03-5

The Huntings were friends of President and Mrs. Ford from Grand Rapids. The scrapbook was in poor condition and has been taken apart by archivists. The bulk of the collection relates to their attendance at a state dinner for the Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in February 1975. Included is an account by Mrs. Hunting of their stay in Washington, a tour of the White House, and the state dinner. Also included are photographs, place cards, menu cards, an entertainment program, and clippings. The collections also contains background articles on White House entertaining during the Ford administration, correspondence and greeting cards exchanged with the Fords, and miscellaneous information about the Fords.

GAIL PRITCHARD: Correspondence with Dorothy and Gerald Ford, 1951-59 (20 pages)

Acc. No. 03-6

Correspondence, primarily letters from Dorothy Gardner Ford to Gail Pritchard but also including copies of a few letters written by Mrs. Pritchard. They concern genealogical research trying to get Mrs. Ford admitted into the Society of Mayflower Descendants. Donor: Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection, New Paltz, NY (Marion Ryan, Collections Curator).

CAROL L. BYLSMA: Photograph, ca. 1967-73 (1 print)

Acc. No. 03-7

Photograph of Gerald Ford and Senator Mark Hatfield with Grace Hamilton and Mrs. Lindemulder. [Transferred to the AV Collection]

Gerald R. Ford Library