Hours of Operation
Closed on Federal Holidays.
Lobby and Exhibit Spaces
Monday - Friday : 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Research Room
Monday - Friday by appointment only : 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Send us a message or call 734-205-0555 to make an appointment.
Admission
Admission and parking is free.
Location
1000 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-205-0555
All areas of the Museum and Library are ADA compliant , and are accessible to people in wheelchairs via ramps and elevators. All Museum and Library exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
Parking
Parking at both facilities is free, and accessible parking spaces are located in both the main and over-flow parking lots.
Wheelchairs
Standard wheelchairs are available at both locations at no charge. Strollers are also available at the Museum.
Restrooms
All public restrooms include accessible facilities, and are ADA compliant. All restrooms have baby-changing stations.
Hearing Impaired
To help visitors who are hearing impaired, a number of exhibits include closed captioning or text panels. The Museum Auditorium is equipped with a T-coil assisted listening loop, and hand-held units are available upon request. The Library Auditorium is equipped with a T-coil loop.
Sign Language Interpreters
With a minimum of two weeks notice, the Museum is able to provide Sign Language Interpreters at no charge. Sign Language Interpreters who are accompanying school groups or the public and assisting visitors who are hearing impaired are admitted to the Museum at no charge.
Assistive Animals
Visitors, who require Service Animals, such as guide-dogs, are welcome to bring them into the Museum.
Visually Impaired
With a minimum of two weeks notice, the Museum will provide an interpretive guide to groups or individuals at no charge.
Single visitors, adult groups or school groups with special needs can be accommodated at both the Museum and Library with guided tours. Please call (616) 254-0374 (Museum) and (734) 205-0540 (Library) for more information.
Please continue reading for instructions on how to make a donation offer. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for a list of materials we generally do not accept.
If you are interested in donating materials, we ask that you please email Ford.Donations@nara.gov and provide pictures and a detailed description of the material you wish to donate, the quantity of the material, and your contact information. Please note that the Library and Museum do not acquire very small donations (e.g., a single document or several photographs) unless they are truly unique or of a singular historical value.
All donation offers are handled during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and must be reviewed by Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum staff before they can be accepted. A member of the team will respond to your offer within thirty business days if the material you wish to donate meets our collection development guidelines.
Unsolicited donations will be disposed of without notice. Potential donors receive approval from Library and Museum staff before sending any items to the Library or Museum.
Q: How do I donate to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Library?
A: Do not bring unsolicited donations to the museum. Please email photos of the items you would like to donate to Ford.Donations@nara.gov. Once the photos are reviewed, staff will contact you.
Q: What don’t you accept?
A: We generally do not accept the following categories of materials:
- Newspapers, journals, magazines, books, or personal libraries;
- Tributes, poems, songs, or other personal reminiscences;
- Mass-produced materials such as inauguration invitations and campaign buttons;
- Photocopies or digital facsimiles of original materials (including those from other archives);
- Personal scrapbooks (including news clipping scrapbooks);
- Materials that are too fragile to service to researchers or require extensive conservation; materials that have mold, mildew, pest, or other potentially harmful infestations; or organic materials.
Q: How much is my material worth? Is it authentic?
A: As a federal institution, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum cannot purchase materials, provide monetary appraisals or assessments, or recommend individual appraisers. If you would like to have your materials appraised, you must do so prior to donating them. The following websites provide the names of certified appraisers throughout the country:
http://www.appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser
http://www.appraisersassoc.org/
Q: Do I need to sign anything?
A: We may ask you to complete a formal deed of gift or to provide a written statement confirming your intent to donate the materials. We do not accept materials for temporary loan or deposit, and materials donated to the Ford Library and Museum become the physical property of the United States. Donors are also expected to transfer to the United States all copyrights they hold in the materials, making them public domain.
Q: How will I know you received my donation?
A: All pre-approved donations will be acknowledged formally upon receipt, usually by letter or email. Please note that unsolicited donations will not be acknowledged.
Q: Will my donation be exhibited?
A: We cannot guarantee that donations will be placed on display, and we are unable to accept donations requiring that stipulation.
Q: Still have questions?
A: Email Ford.Donations@nara.gov.
At the Library
Explore the collections
The 1974-77 Presidential papers of Gerald Ford and his White House staff form the core Ford Library collection. These are supplemented by the pre- and post-presidential papers of Gerald Ford, the papers of Betty Ford, collections of Federal records, and more. Former government officials have donated personal papers, researchers in the period have given copies of research interviews, and private individuals associated with the issues and events of the time have given their materials.
Exhibits
Upcoming Programs and Events
May
21
2025
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
"On Healing Land, Birds Perch" is a short documentary that tells the remarkable stories behind one of the most iconic photos in history, while acting as a portal into the “varied carols,” to borrow from Walt Whitman, of trauma and the American journey. This is…
Education
Students and Classes
The Ford Library welcomes individual students and classes to visit the Library for educational opportunities. For those unable to visit the Library in person, you can still conduct research using online materials.
More Information on Student Projects
Plan an Event
With customizable floorplans and both indoor and outdoor spaces, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library offers impressive and historic backgrounds for groups large and small. Our venue is conveniently located on the University of Michigan's North Campus, and offers a prestigious and unique setting for corporate meetings, collegiate receptions, and special dinners. Whether you are planning a poster session, award ceremony, celebratory dinner, or a corporate conference with multiple breakout rooms, we can help make your event vision a reality.
Venue Highlights
Library Main Lobby
The expansive main lobby of the Library is an exceptional setting for dinners, special addresses, and receptions. A variety of permanent and temporary exhibits serve as an impressive backdrop.
Capacity:
Sit-down dinner - 120
Standing reception - 250
Auditorium
The 1,700 square foot stage and audio/visual equipped auditorium has the versatility to accommodate symposiums, educational presentations, cultural events, award ceremonies, and musical performances, among others.
Capacity: 200
Classrooms
These areas are ideal for meetings and seminars where participants need a classroom atmosphere and set-up. The classroom can be divided into two rooms, with excellent layout possibilities.
Capacity: Full Room - 40
Library Courtyard
For seasonal functions, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library grounds are available. The patio, well-groomed lawn and garden backdrop offer the perfect venue for more casual company events.
General availability for all spaces
Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 9 PM
Contact the Library for information about scheduling an event, rental fee structure, or to review regulations on use of the facility and the application process.
Resources
Call: 734-205-0569 / E-mail: Terra Brock
College Work Study / Interns / Volunteers
The Library accepts a limited number of college work-study students, interns, and volunteers each year to assist with processing, preservation, and digitization of textual and audiovisual holdings. Student workers, eligible for the College Work-Study Program at the University of Michigan, and interns are often graduate students in archival studies, while volunteers range from high school students to retirees.
College work study, internship, and volunteer opportunities are suspended until further notice.