The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is preparing for one of the most significant expansions in its history. A new 66,000-square-foot Collections facility is under construction, designed to preserve the legacy of America’s Sports Car through state-of-the-art conservation, education, and visitor experiences. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, the addition will further cement Bowling Green as the home of the Corvette in every sense, from production to preservation.
The new structure will provide dedicated spaces for vehicle preservation, small-artifact conservation, and long-term archival storage. Beyond its role as a behind-the-scenes hub for the museum’s growing collection, the facility will offer new ways for guests to engage with history. Visitors will be able to book exclusive guided tours for an inside look at how curators safeguard rare Corvettes and their accompanying memorabilia.
Preserving America’s Sports Car For Generations
According to museum President and CEO Bryce Burklow, the expansion is a long-term investment in keeping Corvette history alive. “This expansion project is about creating a sustainable future for preserving the full story of Corvette,” Burklow said. “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.”
The project is also a response to the museum’s rapidly growing collection. From engineering prototypes to celebrity-owned models, the Corvette’s legacy spans more than seven decades of American automotive innovation. Among the notable vehicles already preserved by the museum is a 1967 Corvette Sting Ray once owned by astronaut Neil Armstrong, equipped with a 427-cubic-inch, 390-horsepower V8. Cars like this represent both engineering achievement and cultural impact, bridging the gap between space-age ambition and automotive performance.
To bring the new Collections facility to life, the museum has already secured $2.1 million in funding commitments. Major pledges include $1 million from longtime supporters Mary and Ivan Schrodt, $500,000 from Board Chair-Elect Michael LaRocca, $500,000 from Melanie and Tim McMichael & Family, and an additional $100,000 from an anonymous donor.
Once completed, the facility will become part of the broader Corvette campus ecosystem, which includes the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant, home to every Corvette built since 1981, and the NCM Motorsports Park located just across Interstate 65. Together, these landmarks tell a continuous story of American design and performance, ensuring that future generations can see, hear, and experience the Corvette’s evolution firsthand.
