The Betty Ford Center history

After graduating from high school in 1936, she spent two summers pursuing a dance career on the East Coast.

The Book That Started It All gives readers an up-close look at the first draft of the Big Book, which was written in 1939 and includes markups in black, green and red pencil.

Established in 1949 on lakeside acreage in Center City, Minnesota, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation had its beginnings in a compassionate, holistic and forward-thinking approach to the disease of alcoholism.

1953 - Sober Living Model.

It all started in 1954 when Hazelden bought the rights to a little black book written by Richmond Walker.

1969 - Research-Informed Care.

Family conferences are incorporated into care, paving the way for a formal Family Program, launched in 1972.

On August 9, 1974, after Nixon resigned over his involvement in the Watergate affair, Gerald became the first president who had never been elected president or vice president.

Hazelden launches its first formal outcomes study; leads to establishment of the Butler Center for Research in 1977.

The four-year, $30 million project — the most significant expansion since the center was established in 1982 — will transform the Rancho Mirage campus founded by former first lady Betty Ford and former United States Ambassador Leonard Firestone.

Program brings professionals to campus to shadow clinicians and patients; Summer Institute for Medical Students begins in 1988.

Counselor training program begins; leads to establishment of Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies in 1999.

The working manuscript eventually found its way to Sotheby's auction house, where it was sold in 2004.