National Corvette Museum Begins Major Expansion

Bowling Green, Kentucky, October 19, 2025

News Summary

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has broken ground on a significant 66,000-square-foot expansion aimed at preserving and exhibiting its growing collection of Corvettes. This development, the museum’s largest since 2009, will increase display capabilities and allow for more restoration projects. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, the new facility will house an additional 83 Corvettes and showcase historical artifacts, including a 1967 Sting Ray driven by astronaut Neil Armstrong. The museum has already raised $2.1 million for the project with various notable donations.

Bowling Green, Kentucky – The National Corvette Museum has commenced groundbreaking for a new 66,000-square-foot expansion on October 23, marking what is the museum’s largest development since 2009. This significant addition is focused on the preservation and exhibition of the museum’s expanding collection of Corvettes and related artifacts.

Currently, the museum spans 115,000 square feet and showcases a rotating collection of 123 Corvettes, but restrictions in space mean only about 40 vehicles can be displayed at any one time. The new facility aims to facilitate the exhibition of an additional 83 Corvettes along with accommodating future donations. This expansion will create more opportunities for preservation projects and exhibitions while allowing the public to observe the museum team working on restoration initiatives.

Expected to open in the fall of 2026, the new building will provide public access and tours beginning in 2027. It will be located to the south of the current museum on what is presently an event parking field, with construction plans ensuring access to the existing museum remains unaffected.

As of now, the museum has successfully raised $2.1 million for the expansion project, although the total budget has not been publicly disclosed. Major contributions include a $1 million donation from Mary and Ivan Schrodt for the Vehicle Collections Gallery, $500,000 from Michael LaRocca for the atrium lobby, and another $500,000 from Melanie and Tim McMichael & Family for the Preservation Center and Heritage Conservation Lab. Additionally, an anonymous donor has provided $100,000 towards the initiative.

The National Corvette Museum is recognized not only as a destination for Corvette enthusiasts but also as an important institution for U.S. history as well as a science and technology museum. Among the notable artifacts set to be showcased in the new facility is a 1967 Corvette Sting Ray once owned by astronaut Neil Armstrong, which he drove daily during his tenure at NASA. Through this expansion, the museum aims to further deepening the ties between Corvette ownership, its historical context, and performance, all while being situated in close proximity to both the Bowling Green Assembly Plant and NCM Motorsports Park.

This expansion demonstrates the museum’s ongoing commitment to preserving the history, design innovations, and cultural significance of the Corvette over the decades.

Key Features of the Expansion

• Total Size: 66,000 square feet
• Opening Date: Fall of 2026 with public tours starting in 2027
• Current Museum Size: 115,000 square feet
• Current Number of Corvettes Displayed: 123, with a maximum of 40 on exhibit
• Additional Space for Exhibits: 83 new Corvettes
• Funds Raised: $2.1 million
• Notable Artifact: 1967 Corvette Sting Ray owned by Neil Armstrong

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky Today
• Wikipedia: National Corvette Museum
• CarBuzz
• Google Search: National Corvette Museum
• Autoweek
• Google Scholar: National Corvette Museum
• WBKO
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Corvette
• GM Authority
• Google News: National Corvette Museum Expansion

Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.