The National Corvette Museum has begun work on the $9 million expansion with hopes that it will be completed in time for the 15th anniversary celebration during 2009's Labor Day weekend. The expansion with add 47,000 square feet to the existing 60,000 square foot facility and the new space will include the library/archives, an expanded gift shop and a conference center capable of seating 400 people. Part of expansion will also be used for inspection, display and pickup of Corvettes for the popular R8C Museum Delivery option.

The museum's director Wendell Strode said bids for the work should be awarded by February with work beginning in March.

Over 140,000 people visit the National Corvette Museum and the hope is the new expansion will increase attendance by 10%.

The addition of the Library and Archives is the most important component of the expansion as it will serve as the primary repository for historical Corvette related memorabilia, literature, art and research documents. According to the Museum, the main emphasis will be for preservation and education of these materials. The Museum has also been asked to store a significant amount of materials from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS).

Source:
Kentucky.com

Related:
Video: Corvette Museum Details Expansion Plans

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