Grand Rapids, city in west central Michigan and seat of Kent County, at rapids on the Grand River. Grand Rapids is a leading commercial, transportation, and manufacturing hub of western Michigan that first achieved fame for the production of furniture. Manufactures today include office furniture, automotive parts, footwear and leather products, machinery, hardware, home care products, tools, plastics, printed materials, home appliances, and processed foods. Commercial air transportation is through Kent County International Airport.
Grand Rapids is the seat of Davenport College of Business (1866), Calvin College (1876), Aquinas College (1922), Kendall College of Art and Design (1928), Cornerstone College (1941) and an associated seminary, Grace Bible College (1945), and a community college. The Ford Presidential Museum, housing objects associated with the personal life of the 38th president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, opened in 1981. The Grand Rapids Public Library has a notable collection of books on the subject of furniture, and in the Furniture Museum are exhibits showing the history of furniture and furniture design. The Public Museum of Grand Rapids includes among other historical attractions re-created sections of a working furniture factory from the early 20th century.
