It was an eclectic gathering Saturday, June 2 at the grand opening of the LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) as thousands of people flowed into the 165,000-sq. ft., four-level museum with sweeping views above Tacoma, Wash. Visitors included Washington Lt. Governor Brad Owen, GM Vice President of Design Ed Welburn, Tonight Show host Jay Leno, jewelry magnate Nicola Bulgari, Mariners’ two-time batting champ Edgar Martinez, “car guys,” museum lovers and lots of families.
“This is a world-class museum,” said ACM President and CEO David Madeira. “Nothing in North America compares to our campus, which is why families have traveled from around Puget Sound, the Pacific Northwest and throughout the U.S. just to be part of this celebration.
“We’ve created a fun destination in addition to a beautiful museum. We’ve got our 3.5 acre Haub Family Field to host concerts, car shows, civic events and even drive-in movies. We have an educational center that will attract 100,000 school kids each year and unique exhibits that blend cars, music, film and photos. And all of this is centered around preserving history and creating a thriving museum at the heart of the world’s automotive culture.”
After raising more than $60 million in the midst of the recession, ACM broke ground in June 2010. Two years later, the museum – projected to pump $34 million into the local economy – is showcasing exhibits that include: Ferrari in America; Indy Cars; the British invasion of the ‘60s; the classic car era; alternative propulsion; and the collections of jewelry magnate Nicola Bulgari and Tacoma icon Harold LeMay (whose vast mix of vehicles was the genesis of the museum 14 years ago).
Saturday’s grand opening festivities also featured a free concert from six-time Grammy winners Asleep at the Wheel as well as a traditional American Indian blessing from members of the Puyallup Nation.
