The United States of America is a large country with a proud political history. The first modern democracy and history backs up the power of the people. Gerald Ford was the president of this great nation for some time, and he was the only unelected man to hold this position.
We were in Grand Rapids for a winter event the city was hosting. It attracted a lot of tourists, including ourselves. On the grounds beside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum were several art displays. Curiosity got the better of me, especially when I noticed the burial grounds of the President and his Frist Lady were also there, so we paid the admission to learn of this Grand Rapids citizen.
The museum is on the second floor. It goes in chronological order. There is the brief moments in his life when he was considering a career in football. His family owned a paint company, and he was an avid boy scout. He found himself entering politics with his wife having no real expectation to win, considering him to be too young.
Being Canadian, I have only heard of the name Ford in connection to American politics. Admittedly, that is all I knew of the man who served as president of our southern neighbours. After touring this museum, I learned so much about him. It seemed that he sided more with forgiveness and moving forward than with punishment and retribution. In the opinion of Friedrich Nietzsche, this is a good quality in a leader.
In the museum is a replica of the Oval Office when Ford was president, gifts that he received from dignitaries from other countries and outfits that he and his wife wore on certain occasions.
I left this part of the museum with a greater knowledge of Gerald Ford, his presidency and the country he led. I would walk into the museum’s second part, which has a rotating display.
When we were there, the theme was guitars. I know little about this musical instrument and seeing the different kinds and famous ones was interesting. I would later learn of the near panic on the third day of this exhibition that one of the guitars was stolen.
Someone in the museum brought to the attention that one of the cases was empty – devoid of the guitar it featured. When pressed on which one was missing, the response was that the air guitar had been stolen. If you are familiar with the workings and musical abilities of the air guitar, then you would understand the awkward and embarrassing silence that must have followed.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum was enlightening, informative, and at one point, humorous. History of all sorts is essential to learn, especially ones of a political nature. We all live in a country where people govern, and it is good to know what kind of people they are. This museum does an excellent job.
- There is an admission fee.
- A museum of this type is best experienced by taking the time to read the displays.
- It is well set out to learn of this man and the things he accomplished.
- See the Featured Map for the location of this and other great museums to visit.
