Ford presidential museum reopens to public for the first time since his death last month

Saturday, January 6th 2007, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) _ Barb Hikade and her teenage daughter had to arrive about an hour early Saturday to be first in line when the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum reopened for the first time since the former president's death last month.

Hikade and daughter, Michelle, stood with about 100 people when the doors opened at 9 a.m., and then the duo made a bee line for the lobby's gift shop, where they picked out more than 40 Ford campaign buttons for themselves and as gifts to others.

``We just wanted to get them now,'' the elder Hikade said. ``We had planned to do it before he died.''

Outside the museum, dozens of people paused at Ford's grave site to pay tribute.

The museum had been closed since Dec. 26, when Ford died at age 93 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The museum had to be closed to make preparations for an 18-hour public viewing Tuesday and Wednesday, then for Ford's interment on the grounds on Wednesday.

Jim Kratsas, the museum's site manager, estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 people could visit the museum Saturday. Before Ford died, about 200 could be expected on a typical Saturday, Kratsas said.

``It's unfortunate that something like this has to happen to re-energize interest in President Ford,'' he said.

A permanent exhibit about Ford's death is planned. In the meantime, a temporary display will be installed, perhaps by late next week, he said.

Ford lived in Grand Rapids as a boy and in the suburb of East Grand Rapids during his 25 years in the U.S. House. He became president after Richard Nixon resigned in 1974.