Pelon, Clay

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ColleaguesVolume 2 | Issue 1 Article 74-8-2011As an Educator: Remembering A MichiganPresidentClay PelonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/colleaguesThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Colleagues by an authorizedadministrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact scholarworks@gvsu.edu.Recommended CitationPelon, Clay (2007) "As an Educator: Remembering A Michigan President," Colleagues: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 7.Available at: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/colleagues/vol2/iss1/7COLLEAGUESWith the recent passing of the 38thPresident of the United States,Gerald R. Ford, interest in his lifeand period of office has been heightened.  For those seeking more detail and arewarding experience, the Gerald R. FordPresidential Museum offers resources foreducators both varied and extensive.  Incombination with primary source archives, themuseum offers many interactive exhibits thatdraw the viewer into the era and the conflictsof the time.Barbara McGregor Packer, EducationSpecialist, has many ways to assist teachers inweaving curriculum standards into a visit tothe museum. “The Museum’s primaryresource, of course, is our permanent exhibit.With ten distinct galleries, we use GeraldFord’s life and career of public service toillustrate the workings of our government.”Also available are curriculum materials toutilize in conjunction with both the Museum’spermanent and changing exhibits, guidedtours, teacher workshops, distance learningcapability, and web site featuring documentsand photographs from the holdings of theGerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor,Michigan.The goal of the museum, to “allow visitorsto participate in history, not just view it, whilereviewing the highlights of the lives ofPresident and Mrs. Ford,” has created anexperience that suits students need ofinformative and interactive experiences.One of the immersive exhibits is the replicaCabinet Room of the White House.  This roomhas been faithfully recreated as it appeared in1974.  Students can participate in three criticaldecisions of the Ford Administration: thepardon of former President Richard Nixon,the seizure of the USS Mayaguez, and the NewYork City financial crisis.  High school andcollege students are able to explore GeraldFord’s pardon of President Richard Nixon in adocument-based program which elaborates onthe interactive Cabinet Room scenario.Barbara added, “In addition to ourpermanent exhibits and theatricalperformances for school groups, our changingexhibits are very popular with K-12 andcollege groups.  Currently on display isSlavery on Trial: The Long Road to Freedom.To compliment the exhibit we have anextensive curriculum packet, teacherworkshop—”Teaching Slavery” co-sponsoredwith Grand Valley State University’s HistoryDepartment, and an array of school, family,and public programming.”The most popular school programs,according to Kristin Mooney, Public AffairsSpecialist for the museum, is the main gallerytour for elementary groups and the “Pardonof Richard Nixon Tour” for middle and highschool students. Kristin also handles reservations for schoolsand groups seeking to visit the museum. For group reservations please contact her at kristin.mooney@nara.gov or by calling (616) 254-0374.More resources for the classroom areavailable at www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov.Primary source materials, photos, biographiesand online displays are all available.  FE AT U R E ST O RYAs an Educator: REMEMBERINGA MICHIGAN PRESIDENTby Clay Pelon9Above: Entrance to the Gerald R. Ford Museum inGrand Rapids. Inset: President and Mrs. Ford.Below: Replica of the Cabinet Room of the WhiteHouse as it appeared in 1974Colleagues SP07_7:Colleagues SP07  4/6/07  10:27 AM  Page 91Pelon: As an Educator: Remembering A Michigan PresidentProduced by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2007

As an Educator: Remembering A Michigan President

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As an Educator: Remembering A Michigan President

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