National Corvette Museum announces new collections facility to open in fall 2026

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The National Corvette Museum is announcing a major expansion to protect and grow its Corvette collection.

According to a release by the museum on Tuesday, a new 66,000-square-foot collections facility is set to open in fall 2026. The facility will serve as the future home for some of the world’s most important historic Corvettes, Corvette artifacts and Corvette preservation efforts.

Located in Bowling Green on the National Corvette Museum campus, the new facility will significantly increase the museum’s capacity for vehicle preservation, small artifact conservation and long-term storage, the release states.

It will also support public education and guest engagement.

Once complete, the building will offer behind-the-scenes tours for visitors who want to explore Corvette’s past in new ways, offering unprecedented public access to the museum’s collection.

Why We’re Expanding: Honoring Historic Vehicles Like Neil Armstrong’s Corvette

A key reason behind the National Corvette Museum’s expansion is the strategic growth of its vehicle collection, which requires the highest standards of preservation. One example is the recently donated 1967 Corvette Sting Ray once owned by astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Years before he walked on the Moon, Armstrong was commuting to NASA in a Marina Blue coupe powered by a 427-cubic-inch, 390-horsepower V8, highlighting one of the many ways that America’s Sports Car has a direct connection to one of the most extraordinary chapters in American history.

“This vehicle is a prime example of the need for a new facility,” said Robert Maxhimer, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education at the National Corvette Museum. “When a Corvette with a story like Neil Armstrong’s comes through our doors, it deserves to be cared for in a space that is built to honor its legacy. This expansion ensures we can physically preserve the vehicle while protecting its history for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

The facility is being built to support the growth of the collection for decades to come, allowing the Museum to accept additional rare vehicles and historically significant materials that tell the full story of Corvette design, innovation, racing, and culture. It will also provide the Museum with additional exhibition space, enhancing storytelling and offering the behind-the-scenes experiences that Members and guests value.

The Future of Corvette Preservation Begins Now

As part of the drive to build the new collections facility, the National Corvette Museum has secured $2.1 million in funding commitments to the capital campaign supporting this project.

Longtime supporters of the National Corvette Museum, Mary and Ivan Schrodt, have generously pledged $1,000,000. In recognition of their gift, the Vehicle Collections Gallery will be named in their honor. Michael LaRocca, National Corvette Museum Board Chair-Elect, has pledged $500,000 to name the Atrium Lobby the Michael LaRocca and Family Atrium, where all guided tours of the facility will begin. Melanie and Tim McMichael & Family, known philanthropists and longtime supporters of the Museum, have pledged $500,000 to name the Preservation Center and Heritage Conservation Lab.

This contribution builds on their previous investment in 2021 that supported the McMichael Family Education Center. An additional $100,000 gift has also been secured from an anonymous donor.

You can help protect the history of America’s Sports Car. Contributions to the new Collections facility will directly support the long-term care of historic Corvettes, rare artifacts, and the future growth of the Museum’s collection. To donate, visit www.corvettemuseum.org/expansion. If you would like to discuss additional partnership opportunities, please contact the Museum’s development team at development@corvettemuseum.org.

A Campus-Wide Vision: Connecting Corvette History, Assembly, Manufacturing, and Ownership

The new Collections facility strengthens the National Corvette Museum’s campus-wide approach to celebrating America’s Sports Car. The Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where every Corvette has been built since 1981, is located just across the street. The NCM Motorsports Park, where guests can experience Corvette performance firsthand, is also part of the Museum campus and sits directly across Interstate 65. Construction of the new Collections facility will also bring NCM Insurance one step closer to returning to the Museum campus. Once complete, this addition will enable visitors to experience the full arc of Corvette ownership, history, and performance in a single location.

“This expansion project is about creating a sustainable future for preserving the full story of Corvette,” said Bryce Burklow, President and CEO of the National Corvette Museum. “We’re safeguarding the design breakthroughs, engineering milestones, and cultural moments that make Corvette an icon. And soon, our guests will be able to experience that process in a whole new way.”