FEATURED STORY
Supporting the
Library & Museum
Preserving Ford’s Legacy
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum is part of the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) network of presidential libraries and museums. These institutions are repositories of history that hold, preserve, and provide access to the archives of those who served as President of the United States.
While the National Archives provides for the day-to-day operation of the Library & Museum and stewardship of President Ford’s papers and artifacts, the Foundation provides needed financial support that allows the Library & Museum to update outdated equipment, make improvements to facilities, and support temporary exhibits. Key ways that the Foundation supported the Library & Museum in 2025 were:
New Digitization Equipment
The Foundation funded key equipment for the Library’s new digitization workspace, including two camera systems and a high-end flatbed scanner. A monitor calibration device and software were also purchased to ensure accurate, high-quality digital images. Once fully operational, this equipment will allow staff to produce faster and better scans for researchers and other users, allowing for Ford historical materials to be shared more widely.
The Foundation funded key equipment for the Library’s new digitization workspace, including two camera systems and a high-end flatbed scanner. A monitor calibration device and software were also purchased to ensure accurate, high-quality digital images. Once fully operational, this equipment will allow staff to produce faster and better scans for researchers and other users, allowing for Ford historical materials to be shared more widely.
Increased Digital Storage
The Foundation purchased 12 additional drives for a new network system acquired by NARA. When complete, this system will more than double the Library’s storage capacity, allowing it to manage the larger files created through digitization.
The Foundation purchased 12 additional drives for a new network system acquired by NARA. When complete, this system will more than double the Library’s storage capacity, allowing it to manage the larger files created through digitization.
Gallery Improvements
Foundation funding upgraded the temporary gallery to be in line with professional museum standards and improve the visitor experience. This included painting the ceiling, replacing outdated wall materials, and installing new walls and display rails.
Foundation funding upgraded the temporary gallery to be in line with professional museum standards and improve the visitor experience. This included painting the ceiling, replacing outdated wall materials, and installing new walls and display rails.
Public Relations Support
The Foundation provides free subscriptions to important marketing software programs, which are used to create promotional materials, signage, and digital content, as well as communicate with thousands of readers about events and exhibits.
The Foundation provides free subscriptions to important marketing software programs, which are used to create promotional materials, signage, and digital content, as well as communicate with thousands of readers about events and exhibits.
Volunteer Support
Foundation funding supports the volunteer program by providing uniforms, training materials, recognition items, and funding an annual appreciation event.
Foundation funding supports the volunteer program by providing uniforms, training materials, recognition items, and funding an annual appreciation event.
Temporary Exhibit Support
Support also helped produce temporary exhibits by funding printed graphics, transportation of loaned artifacts, and purchase of exhibit materials and props.
Support also helped produce temporary exhibits by funding printed graphics, transportation of loaned artifacts, and purchase of exhibit materials and props.
Ford Presidential Library staff digitize historic negatives with new scanning
hardware purchased by the Foundation.
New walls and a strategically painted ceiling modernize
23 the experience of temporary exhibits at the Museum.