Series Description and Container List
Container List
Collection Overview
Details
Series List
Grand Rapids Office File, 1960-74. (Boxes L1‑L9, 3.6 linear feet)
The Grand Rapids staff assumed much of the constituent caseload as well as providing assistance to the Washington Office. Additionally, the Grand Rapids district office handled scheduling for GRF's home visits, represented the Congressman at local functions, prepared routine press releases, and managed the details of scholarship programs and service academy appointments.
The records do not reveal if GRF had a district office before July 1, 1950, but after that date he did maintain an office, first in the old Grand Rapids Federal Building and, successively, in the Michigan Trust Building, 1954‑60; at 425 Cherry Street, 1960‑73; and finally, in the new Federal Building.
John Milanowski, administrative assistant from 1949 to 1955, returned to Grand Rapids in 1955 serving as district representative until 1969. His successor was Gordon Vander Till who remained until 1974. (The records are incomplete, but there is no evidence of a paid district representative before Milanowski.
When GRF was confirmed as vice president on December 6, 1973, an interim office with staff in Washington and Grand Rapids was organized under Vander Till. The intention was to provide constituent service until the election of Ford's successor. The Washington interim office closed in the spring of 1974, while the Grand Rapids staff remained in place until the following December.
These files are judged marginal for research on issues and legislation but ought to be useful for following the day‑by‑day constituent obligations of a congressman. This series was received by the Bentley Library on deposit in two installments; the first, consisting of 1962‑69 material, was removed from Washington on November 6, 1974; the second was transferred from Grand Rapids during February 1975. All files were transferred to National Archives custody in September 1977.
Compiled by William McNitt, March 1979.