Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

05/28/2026

Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammar, Andy Serkis.

Want to see these acting greats in "Young Washington" before anyone else? Grand Rapids was specially selected for a pre-screening on Monday, June 8, in partnership with GR A250.

Learn more and register here:

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, we invite you to join us for an exclusive advance screening of the upcoming film YOUNG WASHINGTON.

05/19/2026

Tonight, 6:30 PM: Watch Braver Angels take the stage at the Ford to show us what we can do as individuals and communities to break the decades-long cycle of polarization.

1 like. "Courageous Citizenship: A Ford Legacy for Divided Times (A Braver Angels Program)"

05/18/2026

Just when you thought you knew all the great things Gerald Ford did as president, we find one more!

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week™ to celebrate EMS professionals and the important work they do in our nation's communities.

Be sure to thank your local EMS professionals when you see them this week.

05/07/2026

Are you sad that missed Akhil Amar last night at the Ford? You can still catch his presentation on YouTube tonight at 6:30, when he speaks to guests at the Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor.

Amar will examine the struggle to transform the "all men are created equal" proposition from a revolutionary ideal into a constitutional reality.

America at 250, with Special Emphasis on the Proposition that All Men are Created Equal

05/06/2026

Disagreement doesn’t have to mean division.

Join us for Courageous Citizenship: A Ford Legacy for Divided Times, an interactive program with Braver Angels exploring how we can engage across differences, find common ground, and rebuild a healthier civic life.

This isn’t about politics as usual—it’s about the skills and courage it takes to make self-government work.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution. May 19, 6:30 PM.

Back to All Events Courageous Citizenship: A Ford Legacy for Divided Times Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:30 PM 7:30 PM Google Calendar ICS Courageous Citizenship: A Ford Legacy for Divided TimesA Braver Angels ProgramWe are living through a period of profound strain in American civic life.Disagreement...

05/05/2026

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is quite an impressive library & museum. If you get a chance to visit it in Austin, Texas, you won't regret it!

05/05/2026

What does astronaut Roger B. Chaffee have to do with Gerald R. Ford? Find out on the next Jerry & Betty Walking Tour of Downtown Grand Rapids.

Join a tour Tuesdays & Thursdays, from Memorial Day - Labor Day. Meet up at the Ford Presidential Museum at 10:10 AM for this free tour.

Registration is encouraged, as some dates fill up:

https://www.devoslearningcenter.org/walking-tours

05/04/2026

What does it mean to be an active citizen in 2026?

Area teens can find out at this FREE one-day Civics Camp hosted by the Ford Presidential Foundation, Michigan Crossroads Council, Scouting America , and GR A250 .

Students will explore how government works, how communities thrive, and how they can make a difference.

- Includes a commemorative Grand Rapids A250 patch.
- Open to all middle- and high-school students in West Michigan.

Be informed. Get inspired. Take action.

As President Gerald R. Ford reminded us nearly 50 years ago, “The American adventure is a continuing process. As one milestone is passed, another is sighted. As we achieve one goal -- a longer lifespan, a literate population, a leadership in world affairs -- we raise our sights.” Are you ready t...

05/04/2026

Gleaves Whitney, the Foundation's executive director, recently joined a distinguished panel at the 250 Summit on April 24, bringing thoughtful perspective to a day centered on liberty, opportunity, and free enterprise.

Attended by leaders from business, academia, and public policy, the Summit’s intentionally small, conversation-driven format created space for fresh ideas and connections that extend far beyond the event.

It’s through conversations like these that principled leadership continues to take shape.

04/28/2026

To the Sailors, Airmen, and Officers of the USS Gerald R. Ford - CVN 78, and to her Commanding Officer:

On behalf of the Ford family and Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, we extend our deepest gratitude and highest praise for your valor and
devotion to duty.

As you navigate the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, you carry
with you more than just the name of our 38th President; you carry his legacy of
integrity,_ good judgment, and courageous battle-tested leadership. Like Lieutenant Commander Gerald Ford, who served with distinction aboard the light carrier USS Monterey during World War II, you have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity.

Your service on the world's largest aircraft carrier and the most technologically advanced warship ever constructed is a testament to American ingenuity and strength. Add to these the profound personal sacrifice inherent in this recordbreaking
deployment. Having been under way since June 24, 2025, you have surpassed 300 days at sea, setting a post-Vietnam War era benchmark for endurance and commitment to national security.

We are especially mindful of the approximately 4,500 men and women of the Ford and Carrier Air Wing 8 who have maintained a high state of readiness through every challenge, including the recent trials of shipboard repairs. Your pivotal role as the flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in Operation Epic Fury underscores the vital importance of your mission in maintaining peace and stability in a volatile region.

President Ford once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction." Today, you are the guardians of that freedom. We stand in awe of your professionalism and are profoundly grateful for your service to the United States of America.

Fair winds and following seas.

David C. Hoogendoorn
Chairman
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation