A New Chapter for the Kansas City Automotive Museum
Honoring Our Past. Celebrating Our Journey. Looking Ahead to the Future.
After more than 12 years of welcoming visitors, celebrating automotive history, and building lasting connections, the Kansas City Automotive Museum is excited to announce that we are entering a new chapter and have begun the search for a new location to support our continued growth.
Since opening in 2014, our Olathe home has been much more than a building. It has been the foundation of our growth, a gathering place for automotive enthusiasts, and a space where generations have come together to share their passion for cars and the stories behind them.
Over the years, we have grown in ways we could have only imagined when we first opened our doors. From memorable exhibits and community events to educational initiatives and meaningful partnerships, we are proud of the role the Museum has played in preserving and celebrating Kansas City’s rich automotive heritage.
And none of it would have been possible without you.
To our members, donors, volunteers, community partners, visitors, and everyone who has supported us along the way: thank you. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and belief in our mission have helped shape the Museum into what it is today.
As we celebrate all that our Olathe home has made possible, we also recognize that growth brings new opportunities. We have begun exploring locations that could help us expand our reach and create an even more engaging and memorable experience for our visitors and supporters.
This is the beginning of an exciting next chapter for the Kansas City Automotive Museum.
While details about our next location and timeline are not yet ready to be shared, we are excited about the possibilities ahead. What remains unchanged is our commitment to preserving and sharing the Kansas City region’s rich automotive heritage through educational experiences, engaging exhibits, and community connections.
As we explore what comes next, we invite you to continue supporting our mission, stay connected, and be part of the journey. For answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.kansascityautomuseum.org.
We look forward to sharing more details in the coming months and hope you will be part of this exciting new chapter.
Wherever our next chapter takes us, our passion, purpose, and commitment to the Kansas City community remain stronger than ever.
Thank you for being part of our journey since 2014. The best chapters of our story are still ahead.
Kansas City Automotive Museum
Past, Present, and Future — All in Motion.
Our Next Chapter
1. Is the Kansas City Automotive Museum closing permanently?
No! The Kansas City Automotive Museum is not closing permanently. We are entering a new chapter and actively exploring opportunities for our next location.
Our mission continues, and we remain committed to preserving and sharing Kansas City’s automotive heritage for generations to come.
This is an opportunity for growth, not the end of KCAM.
2. Why is the Museum looking for a new location?
The Kansas City Automotive Museum is growing, and with that growth comes the opportunity to evolve.
Our Olathe location has served us well for more than a decade, helping us establish our presence, welcome thousands of visitors, and build strong community relationships.
As we look ahead, we are seeking a location that will allow us to:
- Expand and enhance our exhibits and collections.
- Create more engaging and interactive visitor experiences.
- Strengthen educational programming and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Build new partnerships throughout the Kansas City region.
- Provide additional opportunities for community events and engagement.
Our goal is to build on everything we have accomplished while creating new opportunities to serve our community.
3. When will the Museum move?
We have begun the search for our next location, but no move date, closure date, or reopening date is being announced at this time.
We are carefully exploring our options to ensure our next home supports the Museum’s long-term goals and the needs of our community.
We will share confirmed information as plans progress.
4. Where will the new Museum be located?
We are exploring opportunities throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Although we are not ready to announce a specific location, we are considering properties that will allow us to continue growing and provide meaningful experiences for visitors, students, families, and automotive enthusiasts.
We look forward to sharing more information when the time is right.
5. Will the next location be the Museum’s permanent home?
We are exploring options for an interim location while continuing to pursue our long-term vision of a permanent, world-class automotive museum.
Our immediate priority is finding a space that allows us to expand our exhibits, educational programs, and community engagement while moving closer to our permanent home.
Specific arrangements have not yet been finalized.
6. What does this mean for the Legacy in Motion Capital Campaign?
Our long-term vision remains unchanged.
Through the Legacy in Motion Capital Campaign, we continue working toward our goal of building a permanent, world-class automotive museum on the property associated with The Underground in Kansas City, Missouri.
All funds raised specifically for the Capital Campaign remain dedicated to that purpose.
Our search for a new location is an important part of our continued growth as we work toward making our permanent museum a reality.
Memberships, Programs & Events
7. What will happen to my Museum membership?
Our members are an essential part of the Kansas City Automotive Museum community, and we deeply appreciate their continued support.
At this time, no membership changes are being announced as part of our location search.
We will communicate directly with members if any adjustments to membership benefits become necessary as our plans develop.
We encourage members to stay connected and continue participating in Museum events and activities.
8. Will the Museum continue hosting events in 2027?
Yes! Community events and automotive gatherings remain an important part of our mission.
We look forward to continuing our signature events and partnerships as we enter 2027.
Upcoming events include:
- Cars & Coffee at the Olathe Museum: November 7, 2026
- Dancing with the Cars Annual Fundraiser: November 14, 2026
- The Great Car Show: April 2027
- Cars & Coffee at The Underground: First Saturday, April–October 2027
Additional event details, locations, and announcements will be shared through our website, newsletters, and social media channels.
9. What will happen to the Museum’s educational programs and community partnerships?
Education and community engagement remain central to our mission.
We intend to continue strengthening our relationships with schools, students, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.
Our goal is to build upon existing programs while creating new opportunities for hands-on learning, automotive education, and meaningful connections throughout the Kansas City region.
While individual programs and schedules may evolve as our plans develop, our commitment to serving future generations remains unchanged.
10. What will happen to the Museum’s vehicles and exhibits?
The preservation and care of the vehicles, artifacts, and historical materials entrusted to the Museum remain a top priority.
Any future relocation plans will include appropriate preparation and protection of our collections.
We look forward to creating opportunities for visitors to experience familiar favorites alongside new and engaging exhibits in our next chapter.
Supporting the Museum
11. Can I still make a donation to the Museum?
Absolutely! Your support is especially meaningful as we prepare for the future.
The Kansas City Automotive Museum is a nonprofit organization, and contributions from our supporters help sustain our operations, preserve automotive history, support educational programs, and strengthen our community partnerships.
Whether through a one-time gift or recurring donation, your generosity helps keep our mission moving forward.
12. How can I support the Museum during this transition?
There are many meaningful ways to be part of KCAM’s next chapter:
- Become or remain a member. Membership helps sustain our mission and programs.
- Make a donation. Your generosity supports our ongoing work and future growth.
- Become a monthly donor. Recurring gifts provide dependable support.
- Volunteer. Share your time and talents through events, programs, and community initiatives.
- Attend Museum events. Continue celebrating automotive history with us.
- Become a sponsor or community partner. Help us create educational opportunities and engaging experiences.
- Spread the word. Share our story and encourage others to follow our journey.
Every contribution, visit, partnership, and show of encouragement makes a difference.
For information about memberships, donations, sponsorships, or volunteering, please contact:
Tami Nebesniak: Tami@KCAutoMuseum.org
Maria Estrada: MariaE@KCAutoMuseum.org
13. Will the Museum still need volunteers, sponsors, and community partners?
Absolutely!
Our volunteers, sponsors, community organizations, and business partners have played an important role in KCAM’s success.
As we look toward the future, these relationships will be more important than ever.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our passion for automotive heritage, education, and community engagement.
The Underground
14. Will The Underground continue operating?
Yes. The Underground remains an important part of the Kansas City Automotive Museum’s operations and will continue serving its vehicle storage members.
Our search for a new public Museum location does not change The Underground’s ongoing storage operations.
We remain committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and well-managed facility for the vehicles entrusted to our care.
15. What are The Underground’s storage rates for 2027?
Effective January 1, 2027, The Underground will implement updated monthly vehicle storage rates.
| Storage Type | Current Rate | 2027 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Storage Stall | $120/month | $150/month |
| Battery Tender Stall | $150/month | $180/month |
This marks our first rate adjustment since 2023.
As operating expenses continue to rise, these adjustments will help support ongoing facility operations, maintenance, security enhancements, safety measures, and improvements.
We are incredibly grateful to our storage members, whose continued support helps preserve and celebrate Kansas City’s automotive heritage.
16. Is vehicle storage available at The Underground?
The Underground is currently at capacity.
Those interested in vehicle storage are encouraged to join our waiting list through the Museum’s website.
Prospective members will be contacted as spaces become available.
17. Is The Underground open for public tours?
No. To protect the vehicles entrusted to our care and maintain the safety, security, and privacy of our storage members, The Underground is not open for public tours.
18. Who should I contact with questions about The Underground?
For questions regarding vehicle storage, availability, or Underground operations, please contact:
Phone: 816-492-7147
Email: Underground@KCAutoMuseum.org
Staying Connected
19. How will I receive updates about the Museum’s next chapter?
We are committed to keeping our community informed as plans develop.
Official announcements and updates will be shared through:
- The Kansas City Automotive Museum’s official website
- Facebook and Instagram
- Museum email newsletters and communications
We encourage everyone to stay connected and follow our journey.
20. What can we expect from the Kansas City Automotive Museum in the future?
Our future remains rooted in what has always made KCAM special: preserving automotive history, educating future generations, celebrating the vehicles and stories that shaped our region, and bringing people together through a shared passion for automobiles.
Our updated mission reflects that commitment:
To preserve and share the Kansas City region’s rich automotive heritage by providing educational experiences, engaging exhibits, and community connections.
While specific plans are still being developed, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to building on the foundation our community has helped create.
Our location may change, but our purpose remains the same.
21. Who can I contact with additional questions?
For general questions, membership information, or opportunities to support the Museum, please visit our official website or contact our team.
Email: info@kcautomuseum.org
Phone: 913-322-4227