National Corvette Museum

Friday, September 28, 2012

Free Admission to Area Museum on Smithsonian Magazine's 8th Annual Museum Day

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum, and the National Corvette Museum will participate in the eighth annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. The Museums will join other participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities.

The Historic RailPark & Train Museum takes a step back in time to the golden era of passenger service. A guided tour of vintage railcars showcases the workings of a Post Office Car, Dining Car and Sleeper Car. The self-guided tour of the two story museum immerses visitors into the cultural story of the railroad including two new exhibits. "Hobo Times explores the life of the Hobo with the secret language interpreted into quilts by Creative Quilters Guild," said Sharon Tabor, Executive Director of the Railpark. "The Civil War and the Railroad includes personal stories, models and antique photography," she added.

Visitors to the National Corvette Museum will enjoy the special "September 11, 2001: A Global Moment" exhibit on loan from the New York State Museum, plus a new 1,000 square foot KidZone. "We are an ever-changing Museum and no two visits with us are the same," said Katie Frassinelli, Corvette Museum Marketing Manager. "We are more than just Corvette, offering a little something for everyone."

The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to one participating museum or cultural venue of their choice. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Hendrick Automotive Group Contributes to NCM Motorsports Park; Track Designer Hired

The National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park project recently got a major boost. NASCAR great, Rick Hendrick, through the Hendrick Automotive Group, is making a $100,000 contribution to the NCM Motorsports Park. As owner of Hendrick Motorsports, his teams have collected 10 Sprint Cup Series Championships and over 200 NASCAR victories. While Rick knows racing, he is also a great friend to the National Corvette Museum with a real interest in the Motorsports Park as a recreational and educational facility.

“The National Corvette Museum celebrates an American original and one of the most iconic cars ever made,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. “Racing is in the Corvette DNA, so the addition of the Motorsports Park is an exciting next step for the NCM facility. Being associated with the track’s message of education and safety is something we’re proud of, and we look forward to taking some laps when it’s completed. The Museum is already a very special place for Corvette and racing enthusiasts, and this new project will grow that reputation even more.”

Museum Executive Director, Wendell Strode, is thankful for the support and all that it means. “We are grateful for this generous contribution and thrilled by what this donation represents. Coming from one of the most successful individuals in NASCAR history, this is a real confirmation that all of our hard work, planning, and fundraising activity is beginning to get the attention of people who understand and appreciate the full potential of the NCM Motorsports Park. As we continue to move forward, we are confident that validations like this one will lead to increased involvement from sponsors, race teams, and motorsports organizations who will want to be a part of this exciting project.”

In other exciting news, Steve Crawford has been selected as the park’s track designer. Steve’s first track opened nearly 40 years ago, and since then he has designed the Thunderhill Motorsports Park in Willows, CA and more recently, The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA.

“We were immediately impressed by Steve’s initiative while still in the interview phase,” said Wendell. “He had already started coming up with sketches as soon as he saw the layout of the land that we had to work with. He was on board from the beginning with the idea of working with Corvette Racing to build in features from Le Mans, Watkins Glen and the Nurburgring.”

With the uniqueness of the track and special features recommended by Corvette Racing designed into it, the track can be used as a test facility for all of the American Le Mans and Grand Am teams. The possibility of some NASCAR teams using it for road course practice has also been discussed.

In addition to the track design and facilities, the close proximity to hotels, restaurants, shopping and such is also appealing to motorsports enthusiasts.

Steve plans to have the track design finished by the end of the year. He will then work with the Museum’s local civil engineering firm, DDS Engineering, to prepare bid documents for the track – a process which is expected to take two to three months to complete. Bid packages should be ready by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

“Of course, continued fundraising is the key issue that will influence whether we send those bid packages out and have our ground breaking in time for the Bash,” said Wendell. “At this point we are still confident that this will happen but need individuals and clubs to keep the momentum going with donations of any amount. We had six new participants step forward to take part in our Buy an Acre Campaign during our last event. Each time someone steps up to do this, whether it is an individual, a club or organization, it not only gives us the ability to move forward financially, but it also shows prospective sponsors something about how much the Corvette community wants this track to happen. You built this world-class Museum, so your support of this track is a powerful endorsement to potential sponsors,” he added.

For more information on the National Corvette Museum’s Motorsports Park and to see a short video on the plans, visit www.motorsportspark.org.

Monday, September 10, 2012

'Celebrate My Drive' With Free Teen Driving Event Saturday

On Saturday, September 15, 2012, State Farm is hosting Celebrate My Drive events across the U.S. and Canada, creating one special day for communities to rally around new drivers as they explore the road ahead. One such local community event will be from 10am-3pm at the National Corvette Museum.

“The regional State Farm office approached us early this spring wanting to see how they could partner with us on our teen driving programs,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing and Communications Manager at the National Corvette Museum. “Like us, State Farm has an interest in keeping our teens safe on the roads, and the programs we offer both through the driving simulators and our car care and maintenance seminars were a great fit for their Teen Driving efforts. State Farm is supporting the Museum with grant funding for this event, the texting while driving virtual reality simulator, and additional resources for our ongoing teen driver classes.”

Activities at Saturday’s event include a golf cart course using Fatal Vision goggles, basic vehicle maintenance seminars, door prize drawings, driving simulator demos every 30 minutes, vendor booths and a mock crash by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. The Museum and State Farm have also rented the P.E.E.R.S. Foundation Virtual Reality Simulator – Aware TXT. The simulator is designed to teach students the dangers of texting and driving, the consequences of their actions, how to make the right choice and to provide them with a hands-on demonstration on the simulator.

Families are welcome to drop in for a few activities, or stay for the entire event. All Celebrate My
Drive activities are free, and reduced rate Museum admission is available for those participating who would also like to tour the exhibit areas. A complete schedule with more details is available online at: http://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/drive/index.shtml.

State Farm’s website also has many resources for teen drivers and their families. Log on to http://teendriving.statefarm.com/celebrate-my-drive to learn more.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Step2 Presents Corvette Bedroom Set to National Corvette Museum

Step2 donation for museum's KidZone also includes items supporting childhood developmental skills

The Step2® Company has donated a number of items to the National Corvette Museum just in time for the upcoming ribbon cutting of the museum's new KidZone.

“We are thrilled to support the National Corvette Museum in the opening of its new KidZone,” said Jerry McDermott, chief marketing officer, Step2® Holdings. “Now, families can enjoy an array of our developmental products while learning about the history and making of the Corvette.”

The donated Step2 Corvette bedroom set includes the bed with working lights, a room organizer, storage chest and dresser, all in the signature Corvette red complete with the Corvette logo.

Along with the bedroom set, Step2 has donated other items from their toy line that encourage fine, social and gross motor skills in children. The Art Studio for Two, Extreme Coaster, Easy Steer Sportster and 50’s Diner are just a few of the items donated totaling close to $3,000.

“The Step2 Corvette Bed is already a hit with our Corvette enthusiasts, so we’re sure that our young museum visitors will enjoy lounging on the bed to watch children’s videos during their visit,” said Katie Frassinelli, marketing manager, National Corvette Museum. “We are so appreciative of Step2 for donating this unique item as well as such attention-grabbing products for the KidZone. Families will enjoy all the great, new hands-on activities for kids.”

Step2's new Corvette bed is modeled after the Z06 featuring silver rims and realistic details (MSRP $299). The upgraded Corvette Bed with Lights™ comes equipped with working headlights that turn on with a tap (MSRP $329). The bed was designed to grow with the child providing a molded insert for a crib mattress, and once the child is ready for a larger mattress it may be replaced with a twin size. When the crib mattress is in place, children will enjoy the built-in racetrack in either model. The bed is comfortable for children ages two to 10.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the KidZone is scheduled for Thursday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m. Central Time at the National Corvette Museum.

About the National Corvette Museum:
The National Corvette Museum is a member-driven, non-profit foundation dedicated to educating the public through the preservation of the Corvette’s past, present and future heritage. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 off I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. Learn more at www.corvettemuseum.org.

About The Step2® Company:
The Step2® Company includes the brands Step2® and Infantino® which foster learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years. Based in Streetsboro, Ohio, Step2® is the largest American manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys, and the world’s largest rotational molder of children’s and home products, including children’s play kitchens, playhouses, outdoor toys and ride on toys, as well as home products such as mailboxes, gardening aids and trash cans. Learn more at www.Step2.com.

September 11, 2001: A Global Moment Exhibit Opens

National Corvette Museum Welcomes Temporary Display from the New York State Museum in Conjunction with the 11th Anniversary of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

September 11, 2001 was an attack on the world. Within a few hours 2,974 people from 80 countries were killed in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In the years since, many people have had a powerful need to know what happened, and reflect about how that day changed us.
While these horrific events hurt us deeply, they also served to remind us of the way that we come together in times of tragedy and adversity as a nation. In the wake of this evil, we were reminded of the willpower, strength and resolve that continue to define us as a country.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: A GLOBAL MOMENT

From August 4 - October 28, 2012, the National Corvette Museum will host a traveling exhibit based on the permanent exhibition The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response housed at the State Museum in Albany, New York. Incorporating World Trade Center artifacts, personal objects from victims and survivors, pieces of aircraft and items documenting the international response, visitors will have an opportunity to see for themselves the reminders of the event that connects us all.

This exhibition begins with a look back at the world before 9/11 and then takes guests through the moments that none of us can forget. Through photographs and artifacts we remember and honor those we lost. The exhibit then covers the response and recovery efforts that would mark this pivotal moment in history.

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTATION

There will be a special guest presentation on August 31, at 10:00 a.m. and on September 1, at 9:00 a.m. featuring Wesley Wong. Mr. Wong served as Special Agent of the FBI since 1976 and was the senior FBI on-scene commander at Ground Zero. In his 1-hour, 15-minute presentation, Mr. Wong shares personal accounts of that day, iconic imagery and stories from the aftermath. His moving presentation honors the memory of the many lives lost.

EXHIBIT INFORMATION

Make plans to come to this special exhibit and get the word out to others who might be interested in this powerful history lesson to us all. For more information visit us at www.corvettemuseum.org.
The Museum is open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at I-65 exit 28. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids age 6 to 16, free for children 5 and under or $25 for Family admission (everyone in the same household).

Special pricing is available for groups of 15 or more, including student groups, clubs, church groups and more. To reserve your group visit, please contact the Museum Admissions Department at 270-467-8808.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

2012 Corvette Production Numbers Released

The General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant has released their production figures for the 2012 Model Year Corvette. A total of 11,647 Corvettes were produced: 24.4% were base coupes, 5.3% were base convertibles, 43.4% were Grand Sport Coupes, 19.5% were Grand Sport Convertibles, 4.1% were Z06s and 3.5% were ZR1s.

Of the ten colors offered in 2012, Torch Red knocked black from the top spot with 19.5% or 2,266 cars. Carbon Flash Metallic (this year’s only ‘black’) was in close second with 18.9% or 2,201 cars. The order of popularity for the remaining colors was: Blade Silver, Arctic White, Crystal Red Metallic, Cyber Gray, Supersonic Blue, Velocity Yellow, Carlisle Blue and Inferno Orange.

The addition of navigation to the 3LT package proved to be successful as 47.3% or 5,510 of the cars built had this option.

The Centennial Edition Package was quite popular with 18.9% of the cars having this feature, while 8.9% of the Grand Sports had the Heritage Package.

Only six buyers opted for the Customer Selectable VIN, while 12 completed the Corvette Engine Build Experience. The National Corvette Museum was fortunate to welcome 181 Corvettes as part of the R8C Museum Delivery option.

View and download the complete list of 2012 production figures on our website at http://www.corvettemuseum.org/.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

National Corvette Museum Partners with Local Friends and Family Group to Collect Donations

The Corvette community is about more than just cars... it's also about philanthropy and supporting those in need. After the wave of tornados hit and devastated many communities in Kentucky, our Corvette family has come forward, asking how to help.

After looking for opportunities to chip in with other area relief efforts the Museum is partnering with a group of friends and family, organized by Jason & Donna Bennett, and Lacy & Kevin Harrod of Bowling Green, who have direct connections to the communities in need, to collect and deliver items.

The items will be transported to communities surrounding West Liberty including Crockitt, Lawrence County, Marysville, Henryville and East Bernstadt this Saturday, March 10 and again next Saturday, March 17.

Collection Location and Times:
The Museum has a collection box in the lobby and items can be dropped off seven days a week, 8am-5pm.

The group will also be setup tonight (Thursday, March 8) at Greenwood High School on Scottsville Road beginning at 5pm, and Friday, March 9 at Warren East High School beginning at 5pm.