Gerald Ford Presidential Library

We enjoy exploring the history of our country and one way is to visit the Presidential Libraries. Gerald Fords library is found in his home town of Grand Rapids Michigan.

They have done a nice job on his museum. You have a number of options as to how to travel thru the museum and after a bit of study you can chose which part of his life and career you wish to follow and in what order.

Gerald Ford became President when Richard Nixon resigned. Gerald Ford was the only president who had not been elected to either the office of vice president or president. The library explained how that all came about.

Mom had a rough start with her first marriage, but a second marriage brought a husband that gave good values to Gerald

I liked reading about the positive effects Boy Scouts had on his life

Betty Ford's life was covered in some detail

Gerald Ford was perhaps one of the most athletic of all of our presidents, but a slip and fall on an aircraft stairway led to his being the source of much ridicule by comedians. He later met with Chevy Chase (who portrayed the President as clumsy) and joked with him showing he was a good sport.  

Betty Ford's addiction and treatment was covered

Part of the displays covered science and technology of the time, especially the space program and shuttle disasters

The Gerald Ford aircraft carrier was the first of its class 

The coverage of his death and funeral service was covered and  was very moving

Various exhibits throughout the museum covered major events of his presidency

 

The gift shop sells 'Bobble heads' of each of the presidents

Gilmore Automobile Museum

We went to Indiana to visit my sister and family and they told us about the Gilmore Automobile museum in Michigan that is one not to miss. We went to see it on the return trip from the Gerald Ford Presidential Library in Grand Rapids Michigan. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere surrounded by expansive fields. Turns out the fields provide a considerable amount of space for classic car events and all of the drivers that arrive.

It seems that Mrs Gilmore gave her husband an old car needing restoration to keep him entertained in retirement and this museum is the eventual result of his interests. 

Carol, John and Julie

The museum greats you with one of the worlds earliest self propelled vehicles

When you turn in another direction you find a beautiful Duesenberg

I remember these from my youth

Doors that slide into fenders

Color schemes from the fifties

We had a family truckster similar to this when I was growing up

Chysler's Turbine Car

I enjoyed a ride in one of these when in college when  my friend had one

Interesting, but perhaps not my taste in paint schemes

Rated one of the worlds most beautiful machines

The cars are housed in a variety of buildings throughout the property. Many are classic barns that have been moved to the site and restored.

This was my favorite of all of the cars on display

The collection of hood ornaments on display was fascinating. In their day these were symbols of status and works of art for all to see.

The collection included hood ornaments from Nazi staff cars

Each was numbered so you could look up the history in a book that was near the display

The sense of speed was a common theme throughout

There were other themes as well

Science fiction was also a theme

The Desoto automobiles really tried to tie in with their brand identity

I liked this one

Many were of crystal and were lighted

Another building contained toys and movie props

Julie enjoying a huge automobile interior from a Disney movie

Getting ready for fire fighting

Restoration of a vintage Shell gas station

Posters from the era

I asked Julie to stand by this one to provide a sense of scale. this truly is a compact car.

another striking 50's color scheme

A study of whether wooden tires could be a substitute for rubber in times of WWII shortages - in a word, NO

This Desoto was the family car used in the 'Happy Days' TV series. It was the 'mini van ' of that time period 

View of the grounds from the second floor of one of the restored display barns

This was one of the first display buildings and contains some beautiful examples of automobiles

the luggage especially fitted for the trunk was a luxury touch.

Another building housed a motorcycle museum

I enjoyed reading about 'Happy Days' the Fonz and his motorcycle. His show persona made him out to be quite the  motorcyclist, but the various dents and scratches showed the real truth of his riding abilities 

this was one of my favorite views of the museum as it sets the time period.

The dust bowl migration was documented with images and exhibits telling the story

Travel trailers from the era were on isplay

A very nice tribute to Art Fitzpatrick and his classic automotive art work. He no doubt was responsible for a tremendous number of Pontiac sales due to the sense of style his illustrations gave the cars

One of my favorites of a Cord in the snow

One entire building was devoted to Ford's Model A

Another was devoted to the Cadillac brand and was made to represent a showroom from the late 40's

These were BIG cars

We eventually made our way out and homeward

But not before adding this Bugatti model to the collection