Past Exhibits

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Gerald Ford’s historic presidency with a new temporary exhibit, Ford at 50: Decisions that Defined a Presidency.

In this small exhibit, visitors will learn about Betty Ford’s breast cancer diagnosis just six weeks into her husband’s presidency. In an era when breast cancer was a private disease, Betty’s decision to go public with her diagnosis and to give the media access to her recovery transformed breast cancer awareness in the United States.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, visitors to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum can enjoy a pop-up exhibit in the lobby. In honor of the Greatest Generation, original artifacts and narrative text will highlight military service, life on the home front, and presidents who served, including Gerald R. Ford. Artifacts include a mess table made by Steelecase like the one used to sign the Instrument of Surrender in 1945, and much more! The Museum lobby will be free for visitors.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum hosts artists for ArtPrize, an annual, international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ArtPrize celebrates artists working in the mediums of visual or experiential art from all over the world. Museum lobby is free during ArtPrize.

Visitors can explore some of the key moments of Gerald R. Ford’s Presidency through an exhibition of the works of Pulitzer-prize winning cartoonist Pat Oliphant.