{{short description|Presidential library in Ann Arbor, Michigan, US}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library | logo = Official logo of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.svg | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, spring.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = USA Michigan#USA | pushpin_mapsize = 220 | map_caption = | location = Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States | coordinates = {{coord|42.28781|-83.712516|type:landmark_region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | inauguration_date = Dedicated on {{Start date and age|April 27, 1981}} | namesake = Gerald R. Ford | construction_start_date = {{Start date and age|January 15, 1979}} | completion_date = | cost = $4.3 million | size = {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}} | operator = National Archives <br /> University of Michigan | architect = | website = [http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/ Ford Library] }} {{Gerald Ford series}}

The '''Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library''' is a repository located on the north campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.<ref name=NARA>{{cite web|title=Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum|url=https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/visit/ford.html|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> The library houses archival materials on the life, career, and presidency of Gerald Ford, the president of the United States from 1974 to 1977.<ref name=umich>{{cite web|title=Gerald R. Ford Library|url=http://www.lib.umich.edu/gerald-r-ford-library|access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is a part of the National Archives and Records Administrations presidential library system.

==History== While a member of the United States Congress, Ford began donating his congressional papers to the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, his alma mater (B.A. 1935), in 1965.<ref name=Bentley>{{cite web|title=BHL 75th Anniversary Collections |url=https://bentley.umich.edu/exhibits/bhl75/collections.php |publisher=Bentley Historical Library |access-date=8 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922071919/http://bentley.umich.edu/exhibits/bhl75/collections.php |archive-date=22 September 2012 }}</ref> As his presidency drew to a close, Ford offered to donate his presidential materials to a presidential library that would be built on the university's campus and administered by the National Archives.<ref name=Bentley /> Construction of the library started on January 15, 1979, and it was opened to the public on April 27, 1981.<ref name=About />

The Ford Library is currently the only National Archives presidential library that is physically separate from its presidential museum, although both sites share a common director. The Gerald R. Ford Museum is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Ford's old congressional district and hometown, 130&nbsp;miles west-northwest of Ann Arbor.<ref name=Bentley />

==Collection== The majority of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library collection is made up of presidential and White House staff papers from 1974-1977. Papers from Betty Ford, additional pre- and post-presidential papers, research interviews and papers, as well as various Federal records are also included in the collection. In total, there are 3,500 hours of audio, 25 million pages of documents, 3,500 hours of motion picture film, 450,000 photographs, and 3,500 hours of video housed in the collection.<ref name=About>{{cite web|title=About the Gerald R. Ford Library|url=http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/aboutlib.asp|publisher=Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library|access-date=7 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825083415/http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/aboutlib.asp|archive-date=25 August 2009}}</ref>

==See also== * List of U.S. presidential libraries * Presidential memorials in the United States

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{Official website|http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/ }}

{{US presidential libraries}} {{Gerald Ford|state=expanded}} {{University of Michigan|campus}}

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Category:Library buildings completed in 1981 Presidential Library Category:Libraries in Michigan Category:Museums in Ann Arbor, Michigan Ford Category:University of Michigan buildings and structures Category:1981 establishments in Michigan