$15M expansion set for Ford Museum

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Gerald R. Ford Foundation's board of trustees Friday morning met with Grand Rapids-area business and community leaders to share a vision aimed at creating global access to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum's and Library's exhibits and documents through the funding of a $15 million capital campaign.

The campaign will fund a 10,500 square-foot student learning center at the museum in Grand Rapids, and create interactive exhibits using the latest technologies, according to a news release.

Online digital access to a significant number of historical documents in the museum, and library located in Ann Arbor, are also planned as part of the campaign.

The fundraising phase of the campaign is expected to be completed during spring 2013.

In addition, a series of special events are also being planned to commemorate former President Ford's 100th birthday in 2013. Further details of the special events, expansion, exhibit renovations and digital access to historical documents will be announced in the coming months.

"The vision of this campaign is to attract students of all ages to the museum and provide online access to the museum's and library's incredible holdings," said David Frey, Gerald R. Ford Foundation trustee and campaign co-chair. "This expansion will let individuals explore the Ford presidency, the lives of Gerald and Betty Ford, and a significant number of historical documents associated with the history of our nation during the 1974-1977 time period."

The Foundation is collaborating with the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University to develop a curriculum that will benefit students and individuals who visit the museum, library or online learning sites.

"Prior to today's announcement, this plan was shared with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation trustees who collectively pledged $10 million to jump start the campaign," said Steve Ford, son of former President and Mrs. Ford, and chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. "The addition of an on-site student learning center will allow teachers to bring full classrooms into the museum to study history, civics and see first-hand the core values mom and dad shared throughout their life."

Individuals or businesses interested in donating to the Campaign for the Legacy of Gerald R. Ford can do so by contacting the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation at 616.254.0396 or by visiting the Foundation's website at www.geraldrfordfoundation.org.

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Former President Ford died in 2006 and former first lady Betty Ford died in 2011. They lived in Rancho Mirage, Calif., for decades, and were buried outside the museum in Grand Rapids.