“The Power & The Glory – Personal Glimpses into the Lives of Our Nations Presidents”, this one of a kind exhibition contains artifacts that have literally touched the hands of each and every man who has ever served in the White House.  This private collection is on loan from local resident Dan Hansen, owner, operator of Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast located in Grand Haven Township.  Hansen has been collecting presidential memorabilia for over two decades and has amassed one of the most comprehensive collections to be found anywhere in the country. 

The exhibit highlights the individual lives of all forty-three presidents and displays both framed items containing their signatures as well as three dimensional pieces that presidents have used, worn, or given away during their presidency.  The exhibit contains items as far reaching as a pair of Gerald R. Ford’s prescription eye glasses, a White House telephone, a brick for the Texas School Book Depository, an oyster plate used in Rutherford B. Hayes White House, and a dress shirt monogrammed with “JFK”. Visitors will be given a sense of what it is like in the Oval Office and can have their photo taken with the president standing in the White House Press Room.  “Thanks to the generosity of Dan Hansen we are able to present one of the most significant collections of presidential artifacts found anywhere,” stated museum director, Dennis Swartout. 

“This might well surpass anything you might see at one of the presidential museums or even the Smithsonian, it is that comprehensive.”  A member’s only private reception will be on Thursday, October 30.  The exhibit, which is housed on the mezzanine level of the Akeley Building located at 200 Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven officially opens to the public on Friday, October 31 and will be up and running through summer 2009.