It’s five years and counting for America’s Car Museum (ACM), as the sprawling four-story, 165,000-sq.-ft. facility located in the heart of Tacoma, Washington’s Museum District prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary at the Wheels & Heels Annual Gala, taking place June 3.
Since opening its doors on June 2, 2012, ACM has become a world-class attraction, hosted visitors from all 50 states and 47 countries, housed 815 vehicles (including cars, motorcycles and boats) and conducted over 600 museum tours. In 2016, ACM became a part of America’s Automotive Trust, a not-for-profit aimed at securing a vibrant future for the collector car industry and honoring America’s motoring legacy for generations to come.
“The drive to build an international destination to tell the story of America’s love affair with the automobile was an immense undertaking,” said America’s Automotive Trust President and CEO David Madeira. “Against all odds, we managed to build the Museum during very difficult economic times thanks to donations from the LeMay family, as well as countless individuals and organizations that believed in our vision.”
The Museum’s eclectic cars and rotating exhibits – such as “Legends of Motorsports”; “F-Series: The Truck that Grew Up with America”; and “Exotics@ACM: Seductive Supercars” – offer a glimpse into the histories of countless different marques and vehicle types.
“The wide-ranging assortment at ACM is truly one-of-a-kind and the vehicles rotated into the Museum are prominently displayed alongside staple exhibits like ‘Lucky’s Garage’ – which pays tribute to Harold LeMay’s unbelievable treasure trove of cars and auto-related memorabilia,” said ACM President and COO Paul E. Miller. “But just having a stunning collection wasn’t going to set ACM apart from other car museums, so we regularly are involved with the community and undertake a wide range of activities and events locally and nationally.”
The Museum is a venue for occasions of all types: in addition to hosting Signature Events, ACM also offers banquets, corporate presentations and events, seminars, military balls, high school proms, charity fundraisers and weddings.
“The automobile played a significant impact on our nation’s heritage and development, and our current focus is ensuring that unforgettable vehicles are enjoyed by future generations,” added Madeira. “This was the driving force behind the formation of America’s Automotive Trust, a not-for-profit organization that provides funding assistance for a handful of programs focused on ensuring the continuity of the collector car industry.”
America’s Automotive Trust was formed in 2016 with four founding member entities: ACM, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club. The organization recently completed its second cross-country winter journey to the North American International Auto Show with a trio of vintage vehicles from the ACM collection and held enthusiast gatherings in many cities along the way.
In addition to the June 3 fifth-year celebration, ACM will be offering discounted admission on every fifth day of the month throughout the year, discounts for membership and additional items for existing members.
About LeMay – America’s Car Museum
America’s Car Museum (ACM), an entity of America’s Automotive Trust, is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and learn how it shaped our society. Based in Tacoma, Wash., the stunning 165,000-sq.-ft. facility has been recognized as one of MSN’s 10 Best Automotive Museums worldwide, USA Today’s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING5’s Best Museum in Western Washington. ACM serves as an educational center for students of all ages, features 12 rotating exhibits and hosts four annual Signature Events.
About America’s Automotive Trust
America’s Automotive Trust (AAT), headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is a not-for-profit corporation that seeks to secure America’s automotive heritage and to transfer the skills and knowledge necessary for the future of collector vehicles and the enthusiast community for generations to come. AAT is made up of four founding entities: LeMay – America’s Car Museum, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club. F
