If you would like to schedule a guided tour of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum for your class, our staff and docents will work with you to tailor the tour to meet the age and interests of your students.

  • Trained docents work with you and guide your students
  • Let us help you meet your teaching goals
  • Grades: K – 12
  • Time: 1 - 2 hours
  • All guided tours must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance.

If you prefer to lead your students through the exhibits on your own, self-guided visits are the perfect option. Please schedule your self-guided visit in advance.

You may use the link below to access our School Visit Reservation Form below:

Schedule a visit

Admission Fees

Students, Pre-K through 12th grade, visiting as part of an organized classroom visit are admitted free of charge. We require one adult chaperone for every 5 students (Pre-K – 3rd) and one chaperone for every 10 students (4th – 12th). One teacher per class and the required chaperones are also admitted free of charge.

For additional attendees: $11.00 for adults, $9.00 for senior citizens and military service members, $8.00 for college students with ID, $5.00 for youth ages 6-18, and free for children under the age of 5.

Hours

Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.
(Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.)

Museum Store

The Museum has a gift shop on site. Many items in the Museum Store are priced for children. We ask that only one group of ten students be allowed in the store at a time.

Because the most successful museum visits are those where students and adults are well prepared, we offer you the following guidelines for your Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum class trip.

If at all possible, visit the Museum before bringing your students. Teachers preparing for classroom visits are admitted free of charge.

You can also explore our eight newly renovated permanent exhibit galleries right here on our site:

View Online Museum Galleries

Prepare your students for the exhibits they will see through pre-visit activities and discussions.

Divide your students into small groups and plan to have one chaperone with each group. By doing this you will be free to move from group to group, checking on progress, answering questions, and assisting with behavioral issues, if necessary.

Make a copy of the Chaperone Guidelines for each of your chaperones. In addition, it is helpful if you provide them with a name tag and information on your specific assignments and instructions prior to your visit.

Check-In Procedures

When you arrive at the Museum, one person should come to our Admissions Desk to handle check-in. Please be prepared to give an exact count of students and adults – both teachers and chaperones. At this time you will be asked to pay the admission fee for any adults over the required number of one adult chaperone for every 5 students (Pre-K – 3rd) and one chaperone for every 10 students (4th – 12th). We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. Please let our admissions staff know if you need a receipt.

Museum Etiquette and Rules

As you know, museums have a variety of rules designed both for the safe-keeping of artifacts and documents on display, and to ensure a safe, enjoyable visit for all guests. We appreciate your help in seeing that your students follow these basic rules during your visit. Our goal is to do everything possible to see that your students, and our other guests, enjoy their Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum experience.

  • Please have your students remain with their chaperones at all times while at the Museum.
  • Please make sure your students do not bring food or beverages into the Museum. This includes all candy and gum.
  • While we love to see enthusiastic students at the Museum, please remind your students that they must use indoor voices and refrain from running. Students are representing their teachers and schools while using community resources.
  • Please take as many photographs as you would like, without using a flash. There may be restrictions on photography in our special changing exhibits. Check with Museum staff for details.

Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, and Coat Room

Restrooms, drinking fountains, and the coat room are all conveniently located near the Museum Store. There are additional restrooms and drinking fountains on the second floor across from the Cabinet Room and in the Learning Center.

Chaperones

We require one adult chaperone for every 5 students (Pre-K – 3rd) and one chaperone for every 10 students (4th – 12th). One teacher per class and the required chaperones are admitted free of charge. Each student must be assigned to a small group and be accompanied by a chaperone. Chaperones must remain with their group at all times while at the Museum and on the Museum grounds.

Chaperones are responsible for working with you, the teacher, to keep students organized and focused on their visit. Please give each chaperone specific information about your students' Museum assignments and goals prior to arriving at the Museum.

Chaperones should be encouraged to review the information found under the Chaperones Requirements tab on this page.

Directions

From the North: US 131 south to Pearl Street exit. East on Pearl to Museum entrance.

From the South: US 131 north to Pearl Street exit. East on Pearl to Museum entrance.

From the East: I-196 west to Ottawa Avenue exit. South on Ottawa to Pearl Street. West on Pearl to Museum entrance.

From the West: I-196 east to US 131 south / Pearl Street exit. East on Pearl to Museum entrance. (Bear to the right as you exit I-196 and the Pearl Street exit. You won’t actually merge onto US 131.)

Parking

Free bus parking is available on Scribner Street, directly to the west of the Museum, and in the Museum’s south parking lot.

Check-In Procedures

When you arrive at the Museum, one person should come to our Admissions Desk to handle check-in. Please be prepared to give an exact count of students and adults – both teachers and chaperones. At this time you will be asked to pay the admission fee for any adults over the required number of one adult chaperone for every 5 students (Pre-K – 3rd) and one chaperone for every 10 students (4th – 12th). We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. Please let our admissions staff know if you need a receipt.

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a chaperone for a student visit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. You will play an important role in the success of the visit, and we appreciate your willingness to work with the teacher to help students have an enjoyable and educational experience.

Chaperones must remain with their students at all times while at the Museum.

Chaperones are responsible for working with the teacher to keep students organized and focused on their visit. We also ask that chaperones help students abide by the Museum’s rules, outlined below. The Museum staff expects teachers and chaperones to maintain control and discipline of their groups at all times. Museum staff and security are available for assistance, if necessary.

Responsibilities

  • Work with the teacher and students to ensure a quality Museum experience.
  • Keep students organized and focused on their visit. The teacher may request that you assist with assignments or gallery activities.
  • Help your group find accurate information. If a student asks a question you are unsure of, never be afraid to say "I don’t know." A good response when you don’t know the answer ... "That is a good question. Let’s see if we can find the answer here in the exhibit." If you can’t locate information, staff is always willing to help.
  • Remain with your group at all times, and help students abide by Museum rules.
  • Maintain control and discipline of your group at all times. Request assistance from the teacher or Museum staff, if necessary.

Museum Etiquette and Rules

As you know, museums have a variety of rules designed both for the safe-keeping of artifacts and documents on display, and to ensure a safe, enjoyable visit for all guests. We appreciate your help in seeing that the students in your group follow these basic rules during your visit. Our goal is to do everything possible to see that your students, and our other guests, enjoy their Museum experience.

  • Please have the students in your group remain with you at all times while at the Museum.
  • Please make sure your students do not bring food or beverages into the Museum.
  • Please remind students that they need to use care and not touch or lean on the displays. In this way, they can help us take good care of the artifacts and documents on display.
  • While we love to see enthusiastic students at the Museum, please remind your students that they must use indoor voices and refrain from running. Students are representing their teachers and schools while in the community.
  • Please take as many photographs as you would like, without using a flash. There may be restrictions on photography in our special changing exhibits. Check with Museum staff for details.

Museum Store

The Museum has a gift shop on site. Many items in the Museum Store are priced for children on field trips. We ask that only one group of ten students be allowed in the store at a time.

Restrooms, Drinking Fountains, and Coat Room

Restrooms, drinking fountains, and the coat room are all conveniently located near the Museum Store. There are additional restrooms and drinking fountains on the second floor across from the Cabinet Room and in the Learning Center.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation offers free classes at the Museum for K-12 students. For program information, please click here.