Antique Automobile Club of America Museum - Hershey, PA - Motor Vehicle Museums on Waymarking.com

From the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum website:

Mission

The AACA Museum is dedicated to the Celebration, Preservation, Education, and Display of the American Motor Vehicle history that provides value for our members, hobbyists, and the public.

History of the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey

The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) originated the concept of a collector-oriented automotive museum as a complement to its Research Center and Library. A decision to move forward on implementing the project led to the incorporation of the AACA Museum in 1993. Like the Library, the AACA Museum was established as a nonprofit educational institution under section 501(c)(3) of the Revised IRS code. This status made donations to these entities tax deductible. The Museum’s offices and small storage and display area were housed at the Club’s headquarters on Governor Road in Hershey, PA.

In 1993, following feasibility and planning studies, the Museum launched a $12 million Capital Campaign to build a dedicated museum facility. By the time of the ground-breaking for the 71,000 square foot building in October, 2002, seven million dollars had been received or pledged. The initial concept of a collector’s museum had also expanded to encompass a broader interpretive charge that focused on presenting America’s automotive heritage to a general audience. The new Museum opened to the public on June 26, 2003.

Today’s AACA Museum is professionally staffed, collecting institution presenting semi-permanent and temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are supported by educational programs for school and community audiences. It sponsors workshops and other activities designed to raise public awareness and appreciation of the role that the automobile has played in shaping 20th century America. The AACA museum celebrates the role of the collector in preserving and making assessable a material record of this phenomenon. It is also unique in that virtually all the cars on display have been opened or donated by AACA members.

In addition, the AACA Museum also houses the Museum of Bus Transportation and Antique Motorcycle Club of America Collection. A floor full of buses and over 50 incredible motorcycles complement the 100 cars on display. The museum have over 20,000 sq. ft. in additional storage so vehicles can be rotated on a regular basis. Several times a year the displays change with loaned vehicles that fits special displays that range from horseless carriages to the muscle car era. The AACA Museum has been recognized by the Smithsonian as an Affiliate Museum which is an extremely rare honor. The AACA Museum has also been recognized as one of the Top 12 Automotive Museums in the world which is a great honor for this fledgling organization.

Primary Vehicle Category: Cars Hours of Operation: Open Daily from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Cost of Admission: 10.00 (listed in local currency) Physical address of Museum: 161 Museum Drive Hershey, PA USA 17033 Museum Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
To log your visit, please include a picture of your favorite vehicle in the museum. If you choose not to enter the museum, post a new picture of the sign or exterior, something so that we know you have been there.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/28/2023 giacaches visited it 03/02/2021 r.e.s.t.seekers visited it 03/02/2021 ted28285 visited it 03/12/2018 jonathanatpsu visited it 10/22/2016 wildernessmama visited it 10/11/2015 mars888 visited it 06/08/2015 petendot visited it 09/27/2013 Queens Blessing visited it 05/20/2012 PaHawkeye visited it 06/30/2011 lightning93 visited it 06/19/2011 Medic! visited it

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