Hours of Operation
| Monday - Saturday: | 10 AM - 5 PM |
| Sunday: | 12 PM - 5 PM |
The Museum is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Admission
| Adults: | $13.00 |
| Seniors & Military: | $11.00 |
| College Students: | $10.00 |
| Ages 6-18: | $7.00 |
| Children under 5: | Free |
Free Parking is available for all Museum Patrons.
Location
303 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5353
616-254-0400
All areas of the Museum and Library are ADA compliant , and are accessible to people in wheelchairs via ramps and elevators. All Museum and Library exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
Parking
Parking at both facilities is free, and accessible parking spaces are located in both the main and over-flow parking lots.
Wheelchairs
Standard wheelchairs are available at both locations at no charge. Strollers are also available at the Museum.
Restrooms
All public restrooms include accessible facilities, and are ADA compliant. All restrooms have baby-changing stations.
Hearing Impaired
To help visitors who are hearing impaired, a number of exhibits include closed captioning or text panels. The Museum Auditorium is equipped with a T-coil assisted listening loop, and hand-held units are available upon request. The Library Auditorium is equipped with a T-coil loop.
Sign Language Interpreters
With a minimum of two weeks notice, the Museum is able to provide Sign Language Interpreters at no charge. Sign Language Interpreters who are accompanying school groups or the public and assisting visitors who are hearing impaired are admitted to the Museum at no charge.
Assistive Animals
Visitors, who require Service Animals, such as guide-dogs, are welcome to bring them into the Museum.
Visually Impaired
With a minimum of two weeks notice, the Museum will provide an interpretive guide to groups or individuals at no charge.
Single visitors, adult groups or school groups with special needs can be accommodated at both the Museum and Library with guided tours. Please call (616) 254-0374 (Museum) and (734) 205-0540 (Library) for more information.
At the Museum
Explore the Museum
At the core of the Museum is the permanent exhibit, which allows visitors to experience highlights from President and Mrs. Ford's lives. The exhibit teaches democratic citizenship and allows for quiet reflection. In addition to the permanent exhibits, changing temporary exhibits draw artifacts from Museums all over the country.
Exhibits
Upcoming Programs and Events
Sep
13
2024
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum hosts over 30 artists for ArtPrize, an annual, international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ArtPrize celebrates artists working in visual and experiential art from all over the world.
Museum lobby is free during ArtPrize.
Sep
18
2024
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
A preview screening event of the new PBS documentary will be followed by a panel discussion.
Sep
28
2024
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum hosts over 30 artists for ArtPrize, an annual, international art competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ArtPrize celebrates artists working in visual and experiential art from all over the world.
School Group Visits and Current Programs
Docent-Guided Tours
Guided tours of our permanent exhibits are offered weekdays, during the school year. Advance scheduling a minimum of two weeks in advance is required.
To Schedule a Docent Led or Self Guided Tour
Email: groupvisits@nara.gov
Self-Guided Tours
For groups larger than 75 students, we encourage you to divide into smaller groups and stagger your arrival times by at least one hour.
Information
- One teacher per class admitted FREE.
- For 3rd – 12th grades: One chaperone for every ten students required and admitted FREE.
- For Pre-K – 2nd grades: One chaperone for every five students required and admitted FREE.
- Admission for additional adults is $9.00 per person.
- ALL school programs and guided tours must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance.
- Bus parking is on Scribner, NW located directly west of the Museum.
Plan an Event
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a 54,000 square foot educational and cultural facility, located on the bank of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. This setting provides a prestigious venue for a meeting, reception, and/or dinner. The Museum offers a 15,000 square foot permanent exhibit, and a 3,500 square foot changing exhibit gallery. Convenient parking.
Museum Main Lobby
The expansive main lobby of the Museum is an exceptional setting for dinners, special addresses, and receptions. Visitors can also browse the Museum store which offers a variety of unique gifts and books.
Capacity:
Sit-down dinner - 100
Standing reception - 250
Auditorium
The 250-seat auditorium, complete with stage and audio/visual equipment, has the versatility to accommodate symposiums, educational presentations, cultural events, award ceremonies, and musical performances, among others.
Capacity: 254
Museum Grounds
Visitors can enjoy the beautiful Betty Ford Garden and the reflecting pool and fountain. The Museum grounds are also home to President Ford’s distinguished burial site.
General Availability for all spaces
Monday - Friday: 10 AM - 9 PM
Contact the Museum for information about scheduling an event, rental fee structure, or to review regulations on the use of the facility and the application process. Events must be consistent with the public perception of the Museum as an educational, research, or cultural institution (no weddings, proms, or similar events).
Resources
Call: (616)254-0400 / E-mail: ford.museum@nara.gov
Volunteers
The Gerald R. Ford Museum is always seeking volunteers to assist with tours, educational programs, and public events. If you enjoy history, join us! For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Museum.
For more on volunteer opportunities, contact:
Richard Weld at (616) 254-0373.
Internships
The Museum accepts a limited number of college interns each year to assist with processing, preservation, and digitization of museum holdings. The Padnos Museum Internship Program provides the necessary skills students need to attain a certain level of marketability in the field. For its nearly twenty years in operation, the program has provided lasting experiences for students from around the country.