Words can’t describe how impressive America’s Car Museum is… even calling it a museum doesn’t feel right. Something about that word suggests a place where you silently walk around looking at static displays. What the folks at LeMay have done is different; and not just because cars are the subject matter.
We’re long-time supporters of LeMay, and with the construction of their new museum taking place only a few miles from our doorstep, they invited a group of us over for an early look around.
You’re greeted by the massive silver structure well before you pull up to what our tour guide (and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer), Scot Keller, fittingly refers to as their campus. Adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, the 9-acre property includes the 165,000 square foot museum and a 3.5-acre concours field, along with offices, event spaces, and a small cafe.
The attention to detail in the displays and layout of the space is some of the finest I’ve seen. No ropes keeping you back or cars parked too close together. You can get up close and personal and almost hear the stories the cars tell. And, if you know anything about LeMay, that’s what America’s Car Museum is all about; celebrating our love affair with the automobile.
As we walked through and Scot shared the vision LeMay had going into the project, I really started to forget about the building altogether. And that’s what makes it so great. It’s an architect’s dream, but it disappears as you walk from level to level, car to car. It connects you with the weird, irrational love we all have of automobiles in an indescribable way. And isn’t that what a museum should do?
America’s Car Museum isn’t just a place for car guys and gals… When it opens in June, I think it’ll be exactly what they were striving for; a playground for car enthusiasts everywhere, but also a place for everyone to share stories about how the automobile has impacted their lives.
At Griot’s Garage, we live by our “Strive for perfection” motto. And coming from that perspective, I say, “Well done, LeMay. See you in June!”
Learn more about the museum and see construction photos at: lemaymuseum.org
See more photos of our LeMay visit in our Flickr set!
Have fun in your garage!