The holiday season was once again brightened by a miniature train puffing along the tracks inside the Museum’s temporary exhibit space, but this time with a new name. After its donation by the DeVries family in 2018, the display was renamed “The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express” in 2021 and now includes even more landmarks to reflect Ford’s life and leadership like a miniature version of South High School and an entire train display devoted to the Ford’s holiday skiing destination in Colorado.
In past years, the train has brought hundreds of visitors to the Museum and served as the centerpiece for special children’s programming including train-side storytelling and Boy Scout railroad badge classes. Due to continued health and safety protocols, this year’s train program was virtual, but very special nevertheless.
On December 18th, viewers young and old were treated to “Cocoa and Story Time at the Ford Roundhouse: A Virtual Event for Kids.” The program opened with a visit to the train before it opened to the public with Larry Avery and Andy Seif who gave a behind-the-scenes look at how the train comes to life each year. Next up was an at-home tutorial from Stephanie Kozlowicz, owner of Nibble & Nosh GR, who showed kids how to assemble their own hot cocoa board. (Imagine a charcuterie board with all the fixings for an amazing mug of hot chocolate!) Local viewers were also able to purchase a cocoa board to enjoy while watching the program and a donation was made to the Foundation for each purchase – thank you, Nibble & Nosh! The program closed with some truly magical holiday sights – a look at the finished (and spectacular!) train display and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by the big man himself, Santa Claus.
To view this special program, visit our website: geraldrfordfoundation.org/cocoa-and-story-time-at-the-ford-roundhouse.
Watch the Program Here
When
December 18, 2021
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
