В Аубурне торжественно открыли церемонию закладки фундамента нового холодильного хранилища для музея автомобилей

The National Auto & Truck Museum in Auburn next week will host a groundbreaking ceremony for a new cold storage facility that will help it secure vehicles and artifacts to preserve America’s transportation history. The museum declined to disclose what is being invested in the 9,000-square-foot facility that will be constructed at 1630 S. Wayne St. The facility is being funded by a combination of donors, namely the Larry and Linda Dent Estate and Jay Crist, Allison Lundberg, the museum’s marketing director, said through email. The museum, also called NATMUS, is also contributing to the project with money from annual operating budget. This new storage facility will represent the first expansion beyond the original manufacturing building of the Auburn Automobile Company where the museum is currently housed. The new building will have seven garage bays. Today, the museum showcases more than 150 classic cars, vintage trucks, and rare prototypes, according to its website. “NATMUS has grown significantly over the last five years and has run out of storage space,” Lundberg said. “This cold storage facility will allow NATMUS to continue rotating exhibits, cars, and trucks that are in the museum. “This will provide greater floor space in the museum itself as it is currently full with generously donated and loaned cars.” Plans also call for existing sidewalk along Wayne Street to be replaced with a wider pedestrian walkway, allowing for future expansion of the city’s trail network, the museum said. In addition, the building’s Wayne Street facade will feature a custom mural that complements Auburn’s collection of downtown murals. The plan will create a “welcoming gateway that celebrates both the city’s artistic character and its rich automotive heritage,” a news release said. The museum does not plan to hire additional employees when the new building is completed, Lundberg said, but will continue to work with the more than 75 docents and volunteers who help with operations. Mayor Dave Clark appreciates the museum’s continued investment in Auburn and dedication to preserving history. The museum “does an amazing job preserving the history of the automotive and trucking industries,” Clark said in a statement. “From the incredible vehicles on display to the stories behind them, every visit is a reminder of the innovation, craftsmanship, and people who helped shape our nation’s transportation history. Their exhibits continue to educate, inspire, and bring visitors to Auburn from all over the country.”