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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
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Photos courtesy of America’s Car Museum
By Ashley Bice - Photos Courtesy of America’s Car Museum
165,000 Square Feet of Automotive History
A strikingly contemporary and award-winning architectural statement, America’s Car Museum contains 165,000 square feet comprised of 16 gallery spaces and 8 exhibits spread over four levels. Upon its opening in June of 2012, USA Today cited ACM as one of that year’s eight most important new cultural attractions.
The innovative design allows visitors to move comfortably from one area to the next without missing a thing. Video screens and informative point-of-interest graphic displays help bring the story of each exhibit to life, while knowledgeable and friendly docents are on hand to lead tours, answer questions, and encourage guests to share the personal memories and experiences the cars evoke.
In addition to the Museum proper, the 3.5-acre campus features a grass showfield for outdoor events such as car shows, cruise-ins, festivals, and concerts. The Pacific Northwest Concours d’Elegance and “The MEET at ACM - A Vintage Motorcycle Festival” each draws examples of some of the world’s most rare and exquisite vehicles. ACM’s Haub Family Field also plays host to a summer program of family-friendly “Drive-In” movies under the stars, which has proven to be an especially popular community event. The Museum’s indoor and outdoor event space options make it a popular venue for public, private, and corporate events alike.
America’s Car Museum succeeds in taking the visitor experience to the next level by offering interactive attractions in addition to the exhibits. Visitors can test their racing skills on one of ACM’s three CXC Full Motion Pro II racing simulators, which are constructed from the same materials used in current racecars. Kids – and kids at heart – of all ages can also fulfill their need for speed on the Museum’s professional – level, four – lane slot car track. The State Farm Theatre offers visitors a space to pause and relax with a rotating set of featured short films, and the NAPA Auto Care Center provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to keep ACM’s vehicles in tip-top shape. “Classics Café,” which overlooks the Showcase Gallery from the mezzanine level, serves a variety of food and beverages so visitors can ‘fuel up’ before or after their foray into the gallery spaces. The ACM Store is well stocked with auto themed books, toys, collectibles, and unique items. In short, ACM has everything one would expect to find in a top rank museum.
The 300 vehicle resident collection, featuring everything from high end Duesenbergs and Brass Era classics to the Fords and Chevys that put America on wheels, is always viewable. To ensure each visit offers a fresh and unique experience, ACM offers a rotating exhibit space that is re-curated every 120 days in addition to the seven other exhibits on display. Exhibits currently on view or soon to open include: Legends of Motorsports: the NASCAR Story, Alternative Propulsion, Volkswagen, Ferrari in America, Master Collectors: Ken and Patty McBride, Mustang’s 50th Anniversary, British Invasion, and Route 66.
To further enhance ACM’s growing reputation as a family-friendly place to learn and have fun, a Family Zone within the Museum opened in December 2013. Designed to be a hands-on place for children and adults to explore, play, and learn together, the “Zone” provides yet another reason to revisit ACM throughout the year.
America’s Car Museum has joined the nation’s pantheon of institutions dedicated to that alluring device we all love so much. It’s vibrant, it’s innovative, it’s thriving, and it’s up and running. To learn more about all the exciting possibilities awaiting you at America’s Car Museum, visit www.lemaymuseum.org or call (253) 779-8490.