Gerald R. Ford photographs and memorabilia

Collection

Identifier: Collection 243

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

As a U.S. President, Gerald R. Ford is well documented in libraries and museums throughout the country. In particular, in Grand Rapids the Ford Museum provides access to information on Ford’s life and presidency. Other libraries which provide in-depth information on Ford are the Gerald R. Ford Library at the University of Michigan and the Library of Congress.

The focus of the collecting of Gerald R. Ford related materials at the Grand Rapids Public Library is to provide information on his life here in Grand Rapids and to provide basic access to general historical information on Ford to our public library users. Thus, items in this collection, as well as other materials, such as the South High school yearbook during Ford’s attendance there, are valued for the Ford association. Also, several books and periodicals in the Grand Rapids History & Special Collections department, as well as the library’s circulating collections, document Ford’s life.

This small collection collocates various small accessions of Ford related materials, which have been mostly been solicited to provide basic historical information on Ford, and his relationship to Grand Rapids. Several of these items have come from the Ford Museum.

Dates

circa 1915-2006

Biographical / Historical

Gerald R. Ford (July 14, 1913 to Dec. 26, 2006), 38th President of the United States from Aug. 9, 1974 to Jan. 20, 1977, was a former resident of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ford served as a member of the House of Representatives for the 5th District of Michigan from 1949 to 1973, participating on numerous committees and obtaining the position of Minority Leader of the House. Perhaps Grand Rapids most famous former resident, his life and history is well documented in resources found in many libraries and archives throughout the country.

Born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., Ford was renamed for his stepfather after the remarriage of his mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, to Gerald R. Ford, Sr., a businessman from Grand Rapids. Gerald R. Ford, Jr. noted his step father as a guiding influence in his life.

Fortieth Vice President (1973-1974), Thirty Eighth President (1974-1977)

The only Vice President or President of the United States to serve without being elected, he occupied the Vice Presidency after Spiro Agnew left office and the Presidency after Richard Nixon left office, both under troubling circumstances. It is generally considered that Ford lost his own bid for the Presidency during the 1976 election largely due to his pardoning of Nixon following on the Watergate scandal.

Included in Ford's many projects in support of Grand Rapids was his key role in the Vanderberg Center Sculpture Project. This started with a handwritten letter to Ford from Nancy Mulnix (See Coll. 001), and resulted in the placement of the Alexander Calder monumental sculpture, La Grande Vitesse, in downtown Grand Rapids. Ford assisted in getting National Endowment for the Arts funding for this project for Grand Rapids, the first such use of these funds for a public sculpture project. Ford had originally been politically opposed to the creation of the Endowment. Later, returning to Grand Rapids as President, Ford was presented with a replica of La Grande Vitesse by then Mayor Lyman Parks. The image of Ford with this miniature was captured by the national news, a symbol of Grand Rapids and Ford's support for Grand Rapids. (See Pictorial History of Grand Rapids, pg. 62) The Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids was named for Ford in December 1999.

Extent

6.7 Linear Feet (Nine boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006) was the 38th President of the United States. A former resident of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ford served as a member of the House of Representatives for the 5th District of Michigan from 1949 to 1973. This collection contains reference material for general use related to Ford. Included are letters, photographs, speeches and memorabilia. The library does not widely collect original Gerald R. Ford documents, as these are primarily held by other institutions, such as the Ford Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Library at the University of Michigan or the Library of Congress and the National Archives.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Material acquired from library purchases, staff donations and various and unknown donors. Accession numbers 1987.006, 1986.333, P1982.001, 2003.006.

Related Materials

Coll. 001, Nancy Mulnix Tweddale papers: Regarding Ford in connection with the Alexander Calder stabile La Grande Vitesse.

Coll. 049. William Glenn collection: letter to William M. Glenn signed by Jerry Ford (S11); photograph with Ford and signed by him (S12)

Coll. 75, Thomas Walsh papers: early photo of Gerald Ford, signed.

Coll. 84, Furniture Manufacturer's Association: correspondence and photographs

Coll. 125, Robinson Studio Collection: various images, including #125-H005934.1-2. Ford Voting Sept. 14, 1948, when a candidate for the U.S. House. #125-H-005935 contains images from the Ford wedding in 1948 #125-H-005936.1-2 11/10/1949 Includes Jerry and Betty together. #125-C038140.1 WZZM-TV. 10-19-1962. Ford with Station manager and electronic equipment.

Coll. 149, Emily Deming: correspondence (S12) and photographs

Coll. 175, GRPL Moving Images: several moving images with content related to Gerald R. Ford.

Coll. 216, GRPL Ephemera Collection: Republican Congressional Cook Book, with best wishes from your Congressman, Gerald R. Ford.

Coll. 247/175 (UDVD1): Pres. Gerald R. Ford interview [[on the Vietnam War]

Coll. 253, Kay Clark Grand Rapids Dance Collection: includes Calla Travis Dance Studio materials with Betty Bloomer as student or instructor.

Coll. 262, Lydens Story of Grand Rapids: The biography cads in the Lydens card file series

Coll. 263, GRPL Small Manuscript Collection

Coll. 269, Art of Paul Collins, Art Reference Collection: Collins created the mural at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Coll. 285, Michigan and Grand Rapids serials: includes Your Washington Review by Congressman Jerry Ford, 1969-1973

Coll 312, Kiwanis Club scrapbooks: letter to William L. Bennett, signed by Ford (S11)

Coll 316, Grand Rapids High Schools: yearbooks for South High School, 50th Anniversary booklet for the Class of 1931

Coll 326, Milhaupt - DaBakey Colorama Studio: contains images of Ford, sometimes also related to a newspaper article.