Past Exhibits

The innovative pop-up exhibition The American Revolution Experience is a collaborative project between the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The exhibit asks visitors to consider how the lives of ordinary people were affected by the events of the Revolutionary War, featuring diverse viewpoints and experiences, touching on the journeys of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, Black and Native populations and even international allies. Through display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts, modern audiences can connect with the fascinating story of our nation’s origin. The exhibit, in the Museum's lobby, will be free to visitors.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express train display includes many nods to Gerald R. Ford’s life in Grand Rapids, including South High School, Bill’s Place Diner, the Quonset Hut used in his congressional campaign, and a replica of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Visiting the train is free, but guests will need tickets to visit the galleries.

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of Grand Rapids, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is hosting a mobile museum exhibit featuring 175 photos that highlight key moments of the city’s history. The exhibit is presented by the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and representatives from the Grand Rapids City Archives, the Grand Rapids Public Library, the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, and the Grand Rapids Historical Society worked together to develop this exhibit with images from their vast public collections. The exhibit, in the Museum's lobby, will be free to visitors.