GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It’s been months since the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum closed its doors for a multi-million dollar renovation, and June 7 is the grand reopening.
The complete down-to-the-studs makeover includes new and more sophisticated lighting, new artifacts, displays and added technology-based exhibits meant to create a more interactive and visitor-friendly experience.
“I think people are going to be really immersed in the Gerald and Betty Ford story much more than they were able to be in the former exhibits,” said Elaine Didier, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum & Library. “We’re really hoping to become even more of a center for education - not just for tourists who bring the family when they come and say ‘well I saw it ten years ago.’ We want people to come back.”
On the day of its reopening, the museum will offer free admission to its visitors until 8 p.m. The night before the reopening, the public can buy tickets to a pre-opening gala held at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.
Along with the museum portion of the facility, renovations are also close to being completed on the 8,000 square foot DeVos Learning Center attached to the building. The reopening of both coincides with the release of the documentary Gerald R. Ford: A Test of Character airing on National Geographic Thursday night at 9 p.m.
For more information on the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Library, call 616-254-0400 or visit their website.
