The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum opened their next great exhibit "Bob Hope: An American Treasure" with an entertaining night of stories and laughs. Zach Hope, grandson of Bob & Dolores Hope, joined with the World Golf Hall of Fame to kickoff the February 8 - June 10, 2012 traveling exhibition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jack Peter from the World Golf Hall of Fame, creating organization for the exhibit, introduced Zach and discussed how the exhibit came to life working with the Hope Family and Charitable Foundation.
Zach Hope retold tales from his grandfather about the personal friendship between "Pops" and President Ford, including several of the friendly jokes that were told about The President's golf game. Zach provided details into his grandfather's life in the public life, including his golf playing with Presidents and touring the world to entertain American Armed Forces Members. He shared his grandfather's reasons for entertaining the troops around the world, Pops love for America, his family background coming from England and growing up in Cleveland, OH.
The exhibit tells the story of the Guinness World Records book "most honored" entertainer through a series of themed modules that celebrate his comedic contributions, achievements in entertainment, relationships with a number of U.S. Presidents and his other passion - golf. It traces his family's arrival at Ellis Island, life as part of an immigrant family in Cleveland, his struggles to succeed in New York in entertainment, the success and family life he found in Hollywood and how golf and his love for the military took him around the world.
The traveling exhibit will include reproductions of more than 200 vintage photos, six videos and more than 150 items including an original vaudeville contract from 1922, his Ellis Island medal, the final set of golf clubs used in his life, Emmy Awards, Honorary Oscars, an outfit he wore during USO tours, gifts and awards from Presidents and other celebrities, his Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President John F. Kennedy, and his "Honorary Veteran Citation" from Congress, which he called the most important honor of his life. In addition, the exhibit will include a 30-stop audio tour and an educational program.
Hope was a great entertainer and also a dedicated public servant. He traveled the globe to spend time with American Armed Forces Members. He brought servicemen & servicewomen a slice of home and chance to laugh while serving their country in remote locations with the grim realities of war nearby. In 1981, Bob Hope participated in the dedication ceremony for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Hope and Ford joined together in numerous charity golf events and were longtime friends. Bob Hope once joked about Ford's golf game that "Gerald Ford was the only President that could lose his ball in a ball washer."
Jack Peter is the Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at the World Golf Hall of Fame. The World Golf Hall of Fame mission is to preserve and honor the history of the golf game and the legacies of those that made it great. After a successful two-year showing at its location in St. Augustine, Fla., the World Golf Hall of Fame, with the support of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, is converting Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory into a traveling exhibit with stops to be scheduled in 14-16 locations over the next five years. President Ford attended the opening of the 1974 World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, NC which is now in St. Augustine, FL.
Watch the Program
When
February 8, 2012
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
