Academy of Art University Automobile Museum

Why go

Academy of Art University Automobile Museum is defined by the galleries, objects, and displays inside Academy of Art University Automobile Museum. Another layer comes from the architecture and visitor sequence at Academy of Art University Automobile Museum. Plan Academy of Art University Automobile Museum by remembering to choose priority galleries inside Academy of Art University Automobile Museum and verify current access.

What to look for

• Look closely at the galleries, objects, and displays inside Academy of Art University Automobile Museum.
• Notice the architecture and visitor sequence at Academy of Art University Automobile Museum.

The full story

A former President of the Academy of Art University, Richard A. Stephens, started the museum and is the proprietor of over half of the cars. The Stephens family—including Richard’s daughter and current University President Elisa Stephens—began to seriously collect antique cars in the 1990s. The first car purchased for the collection was a 1929 Packard due to its being built the same year that the University was founded by Richard S. Stephens. In 1999, AAU purchased the main showroom it has today at 1849 Washington Street and then bought additional showroom space in 2012. The museum also exhibits the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, which can reach a speed of 115 mph and was previously owned and restored by William F. Harrah. Only five of these cars were built in total and today only two others remain. In 2013, 34 vehicles were featured at the International Auto Show presented by AutoTrader.com. The vehicles were chosen by the University’s Industrial Design Department Director Tom Matano. Kevin Diamond, director of the show said: "We are proud to be able to exhibit vehicles from the museum that represent the elegance, style, craftsmanship, technology and innovative spirit of automotive designers past and present.”.

Useful to know

• For Academy of Art University Automobile Museum, choose priority galleries inside Academy of Art University Automobile Museum and verify current access.
• Pair Academy of Art University Automobile Museum with a cultural stop near Academy of Art University Automobile Museum when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.