Lindsay Chervinsky Speaking on Abigail Adams and Betty Ford: Revolutionary First Ladies

Join Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky to learn about Abigail Adams and Betty Ford, two under-appreciated yet transformative first ladies.

Mar 19

Yanek Mieczkowski: A WWII Love Story that Spans Poland, Japan and the U.S.

Join us for a book discussion and signing with Yanek Mieczkowski, author of Surviving War, Oceans Apart.

Feb 20

Megan Gorman on Her Book, "All the Presidents' Money"

Through her new book, tax attorney, wealth manager, and author Megan Gorman took us on a journey through the personal money stories of the U.S. presidents and how they built wealth—or didn't.

Nov 7

H.W. Brands on The Ford Presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles Lindberg, and the 2024 Election

H.W. Brands came back to the Ford two days after the 2024 presidential election. The bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist spoke about the significance of the Ford administration at a time when Americans were dispirited by the looming defeat of the Vietnam War.

Oct 22

The Pardon: With Richard Norton Smith and Hank Meijer

The exploration of a controversial decision, with Ford biographer Richard Norton Smith and board trustee Hank Meijer

Oct 12

Doris Kearns Goodwin Spoke to a Sell Out Crowd at The Ford

Pulitzer Prize-Winning historian and best-selling author Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke with Jeff Polet on navigating the current political climate.

Oct 4

Ross Douthat: Civil Dialogue and Democratic Norms

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat discussed the state of civil discourse and political polarization in America with Ford Leadership Forum director Jeff Polet.

Sep 27

An Assessment of the Nixon Pardon

A 50-year perspective on Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon with University of Michigan law professor and former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, Nixon White House Counsel John Dean and other speakers.

Sep 27

Betty Ford Breast Cancer Event with Corewell Health

Corewell Health, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, and Ford Presidential Foundation hosted a free event featuring panels of physician specialists, breast cancer survivors and their family, tours of the Mobile Mammography bus, and access to the new showcase exhibit, “The Betty Blip: Betty Ford’s Fight Against Breast Cancer.”

Sep 11

Trusted Elections Conference with Mike Ford, Jason Carter, Susan Page and More

Panels examined the inner workings of the election process as well as expectations for staff conduct around elections. This series was brought to us in partnership with Principles for Trusted Elections and More Perfect's Sustainable Democracy Goals.

Sep 10

Watergate Expert Ken Gormley Spoke on the 1974 Pardon – Ford Library in Ann Arbor

Constitutional Scholar Ken Gormley Shared His Insights on the Nixon Pardon

Sep 3

Barry Werth: Lessons From the First Month of the Ford Presidency

Board Trustee Hank Meijer moderated a discussion with Barry Werth, author of 31 Days: Gerald Ford, The Nixon Pardon and a Government in Crisis.

Aug 9

50th Anniversary Event With Ford, Hills, and Zapanta: How a President Can Make a Positive Difference in Our World

Mike Ford, Steve Ford, Carla Hills, and Albert Zapanta spoke on how an American president can make a positive difference in our world as the clock rolled past some of the most monumental moments in American history.

Aug 8

Star-Studded Panel on: The Day that Rocked America and Began a New Era

Ford friends and family came to Grand Rapids to celebrate Ford's historic step into the presidency, including Mike Ford, Steve Ford, Carla Hills and Albert Zapanta.