Past Events
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March 1 Tuesday
Online - 1:00pm
Women in Uniform: Women Who Served
VIRTUAL-- Colonel Bridget Brozyna, ret. U.S. Air Force, Lorrena Back, U.S. Army, and Sarah Anderson, U.S. Marine Corp, discussed their experiences as women in the military. This event was held in conjunction with the Women in Uniform exhibit. -
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty
"The First Kennedys" is the story of the first American Kennedys, Patrick and Bridget, who arrived as many thousands of others did following the Great Famine, and launched the Kennedy dynasty in America. -
Online - 11:00am
Designing Camelot
VIRTUAL-- Authors James Archer Abbott and Elaine Rice Bachmann discuss their book, Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration and Its Legacy. An illustrated chronicle of Jacqueline Kennedys restoration project, the book celebrates the sixty-year legacy of one of the most influential interior design endeavors in American history. -
Online - 11:00am
The Second World War: Echoes from the Past, A Conversation with Sir Antony Beevor
VIRTUAL-- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation collaborated with Armed Forces Thanksgiving and the Western Michigan World Affairs Council to virtually host famed historian Sir Antony Beevor to discuss the legacies of World War II and its impact on our modern world. Sir Beevor began with an inclusive summary of the Second World War, delving into how various nations approached the war and its aftermath. He then discussed how the war affects our present-day and the ongoing situation in the Ukraine. -
Online - 11:00am
Women in Uniform: My Career in the FBI: A conversation with Jacqueline Maguire
VIRTUAL-- In conjunction with the exhibit "Women in Uniform" and Women's History Month, Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Philadelphia Field Office shared stories from her over 20+ years in the FBI. -
Online - 11:00am
Women in Uniform: Women Who Served
VIRTUAL-- Colonel Bridget Brozyna, ret. U.S. Air Force, Lorrena Back, U.S. Army, and Sarah Anderson, U.S. Marine Corp, discussed their experiences as women in the military. This event was held in conjunction with the Women in Uniform exhibit.
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February 28 Monday
Grand Rapids, MI - 3:00pm
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career. -
Grand Rapids, MI - 1:00pm
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career. -
Grand Rapids, MI - 11:00am
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career.
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February 27 Sunday
Simi Valley, CA - 10:00am to 5:00pm
Exhibit Closes: FBI: From Al Capone to Al-Qaeda
FBI: From Al Capone to Al Qaeda at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum – a new exhibition covering the history of this agency from inception to its modern crime fighting efforts.
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February 24 Thursday
Online - 6:00pm to 7:00pm
White Lies: The Double Life of Walter F. White and America's Darkest Secret
A.J. Baime discusses Walter F. White, a little-known Black civil rights leader who passed for white in order to investigate racist murders. -
Online - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Navigating Leadership through the Many Lenses of Adversity Lunch & Learn
This monthly series is held the 4th Thursday of each month. The 2022 program theme is "Dwight Eisenhower: The Making of a Leader" and will focus on family, military, presidency, and mentorship.
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February 23 Wednesday
Online - 5:00pm to 6:00pm
A House Built by Slaves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House
Jonathan W. White presents the story of how President Abraham Lincoln welcomed African Americans to his White House and why that transformed the trajectory of race relations in the United States.
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February 18 Friday
Online - 1:00pm to 1:45pm
Young Learners Program: Astronaut, Artist, and Earthling Nicole Stott
Nicole Stott shares with why she wanted to become an astronaut, what she learned about our planet by living in space, and how this knowledge inspires her art.
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February 17 Thursday
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
His Greatest Speeches: How Lincoln Moved the Nation
Author Diana Schaub gives an expert analysis of Abraham Lincoln's three most powerful speeches: the Lyceum Address, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural. -
Online - 11:00am to 12:00pm
ÍþÄá˹ÈËÓéÀÖ³¡ Comes Alive! Young Learners Program: Meet Rosa Parks
Young learners can meet Rosa Parks, "the first lady of civil rights."
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February 15 Tuesday
Online - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
The Boss and the Baby: Truman's Favorite Ladies
Celebrating the 137th Birthday of First Lady Bess Wallace Truman
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February 11 Friday
Online - 2:15pm to 2:45pm
The Constitution Rules! (Grades K–2)
Students will explore the idea of different responsibilities in their community and analyze images that highlight the jobs of the three branches of government. -
Online - 1:15pm to 1:45pm
No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution (Grades 9–12)
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, legislation, and a Supreme Court case, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States. -
Online - 11:15am to 11:45am
Voting Rights, the Constitution, & Representative Government (Grades 6–8)
Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, and legislation, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States.
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February 8 Tuesday
Online - 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Ike's Book Club - Feb 2022
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni The program discussion will be led by Dr. Gene Chavez with Humanities Kansas. -
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
George Washington: The Political Rise of America’s Founding Father
David O. Stewart presents a fascinating account of how George Washington became the dominant force in the creation of the United States of America.
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February 1 Tuesday
Grand Rapids, MI - 3:00pm
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career. -
Grand Rapids, MI - 1:00pm
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career. -
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
FDR in American Memory: Roosevelt and the Making of an Icon
In "FDR in American Memory," author Sara Polak analyzes Roosevelt as a cultural icon in American memory, one who carefully and intentionally built his public image. -
Grand Rapids, MI - 11:00am
Harriet Woods Hill: Grand Rapids Police Department's First African American Woman Officer
VIRTUAL -- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum along with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation celebrated Black History Month by learning about Michigan native Harriet Woods Hill. Ms. Woods Hill was the first African American woman police officer and the first woman detective in the Grand Rapids Police Department. James Hill shares highlights from his mothers long and momentous life and career.
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January 31 Monday
Online - 3:00pm
Notably Absent: Presidential No-Shows and Other Mishaps on Inauguration Day with Thomas Balcerski
VIRTUAL -- Noted presidential historian and CNN contributor, Thomas Balcerski, explores the surprisingly numerous instances of presidential absence on Inauguration Day. Learn about the five presidents who failed to attend the inaugurations of their successors and the two presidents who did not participate for other reasons (hint: one of them involves Gerald Ford). -
Online - 3:00pm
Women in Uniform Exhibit Opening
VIRTUAL -- Rear Admiral (retired) Samuel J. Cox, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, and his colleague, Gale Munro, Curator of the Naval Art Gallery, virtually open the exhibit Women in Uniform. -
Online - 1:00pm
Notably Absent: Presidential No-Shows and Other Mishaps on Inauguration Day with Thomas Balcerski
VIRTUAL -- Noted presidential historian and CNN contributor, Thomas Balcerski, explores the surprisingly numerous instances of presidential absence on Inauguration Day. Learn about the five presidents who failed to attend the inaugurations of their successors and the two presidents who did not participate for other reasons (hint: one of them involves Gerald Ford). -
Online - 1:00pm
Women in Uniform Exhibit Opening
VIRTUAL -- Rear Admiral (retired) Samuel J. Cox, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, and his colleague, Gale Munro, Curator of the Naval Art Gallery, virtually open the exhibit Women in Uniform. -
Online - 11:00am
Notably Absent: Presidential No-Shows and Other Mishaps on Inauguration Day with Thomas Balcerski
VIRTUAL -- Noted presidential historian and CNN contributor, Thomas Balcerski, explores the surprisingly numerous instances of presidential absence on Inauguration Day. Learn about the five presidents who failed to attend the inaugurations of their successors and the two presidents who did not participate for other reasons (hint: one of them involves Gerald Ford). -
Online - 11:00am
Women in Uniform Exhibit Opening
VIRTUAL -- Rear Admiral (retired) Samuel J. Cox, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, and his colleague, Gale Munro, Curator of the Naval Art Gallery, virtually open the exhibit Women in Uniform.
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January 28 Friday
Online - 2:15pm to 3:00pm
The Bill of Rights Protects You (Grades 6–12)
Students will explore the Bill of Rights and how it outlines both limits on government and the rights of the people. -
Online - 1:15pm to 2:00pm
The First Amendment: Five Rights in One! (Grades 3–5)
Students will explore the First Amendment freedoms from the Bill of Rights in this interactive and engaging civics program based on historical primary sources. -
Online - 11:15am to 11:45am
Make Your Voice Count: Learning About the First Amendment (Grades K–2)
Students will explore the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights using primary historical sources.
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January 27 Thursday
Online - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Lunch & Learn - January 2022
This monthly series is held the 4th Thursday of each month. The 2022 program theme is "Dwight Eisenhower: The Making of a Leader" and will focus on family, military, presidency, and mentorship.
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January 26 Wednesday
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Watching Darkness Fall: FDR, His Ambassadors, and the Rise of Adolf Hitler
David McKean's "Watching Darkness Fall" recounts the rise of the Third Reich in Germany and the road to war from the perspective of four American diplomats in Europe who witnessed it firsthand.
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January 20 Thursday
Online - 11:00am to 12:00pm
ÍþÄá˹ÈËÓéÀÖ³¡ Comes Alive! Young Learners Program: Meet Fannie Lou Hamer
Young Learners can meet Fannie Lou Hamer, an activist in the 1960s and 1970s for voting rights, civil rights, and women’s rights (as portrayed by Sheila Arnold).
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January 19 Wednesday
Kansas City Area - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
David Harris on "The Contemporary Meaning of Auschwitz"
David Harris will discuss the rise in antisemitism globally, the receding memory of the Holocaust, and the enduring lessons of Auschwitz for our world. -
Online - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
The Shattering: America in the 1960s
Covering the late 1950s through the early 1970s, Kevin Boyle’s new book, The Shattering, focuses on the period’s fierce conflicts—the civil rights movement, rising Black nationalism, busing, and the Vietnam War.
All events listed in the calendar are free unless noted.