On what was a special day for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, as well as the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, an outline was laid for the 2013 Capital Campaign. Distinguished guests including Federal, state, and local government officials, as well as members of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation Trustees gathered at the Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Steve Ford, son of President and Mrs. Ford and Chairman of The Gerald R. Ford Foundation Board of Trustees was accompanied by Vice-Chairman Hank Meyer, and David Frey, Co-Chair of the Campaign for the Legacy of Gerald R. Ford. The event shared exciting news about plans which would expand the reach and conversation about the Ford Presidency, the lives of President and Mrs. Ford, and the circumstances that affected his administration from 1974 – 1977. The vision for the new plans was conveyed in a quote by the former President in that the “museum is not a monument to any one man or any one Presidency, rather it is a classroom of American Democracy where school kids as well as scholars will enjoy and access the innermost workings of their government”.
Steve Ford made remarks on how the $15M in privately raised funds would be allocated to enhance the current facilities. Perhaps most impressive are the plans for the construction of a 10,500 sq. ft. addition on the South side of the building to serve as a new Student Center. The new center will provide an “interactive classroom environment” where students will learn about “citizenship, civics, and the core values” that President and Mrs. Ford personified throughout their lives. The Foundation will also work with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Grand Valley State University to help develop and implement “short course” curriculum to “empower young students and leaders” to become interested in history, government, principles and leadership. Additional monies will be allocated to renovate the entirety of the existing facilities. A new theater will be added in-the-round that will allow the museum to become a complete conversation for the visiting public, designed to engage discussion and explore the time in history when President Ford was “at the helm”. There are also plans to digitize the archives papers and making the museum “wall-less” , allowing for online access to students across the country and around the world.
The new Capital Campaign will coincide with President Fords 100th Birthday and an exhibit which will open in May entitled “Jerry at 100” which will encourage a broader and deeper learning of the time when President Ford served. Regular updates about the campaign will follow, and by the beginning of 2013, news will be provided regarding the renovations and ground-breaking on the new Student Center. Hank Meyer closed the announcement stating that “President Ford has given us the great gift of his legacy; it is up to us to cherish it, and our privilege to celebrate it”.
