Rows of classic cars under the roof at LeMay Collections at Marymount

LeMay Collections at Marymount

Photo: LeMay Collections at Marymount via Google Maps

LeMay Collections at Marymount fills the grounds of the historic Marymount Military Academy south of Tacoma with a big share of Harold and Nancy LeMay’s private collection. The museum bills itself as Washington’s largest automotive collection “and more,” and the “more” is real: alongside the cars you will find vintage signage, memorabilia, fine arts and more than 250 outboard motors.

This is a different experience from LeMay America’s Car Museum downtown. That museum is a modern gallery building, while Marymount spreads across several older buildings on a historic campus, and the collection here is still directly owned and controlled by the LeMay family. If you love cars or quirky Americana, plan on seeing both.

What You’ll See

Guided tours lead you through three buildings: the Main Museum, Union Station and the White Building Garage, where more than 500 vehicles are on view along with the other exhibits. Cars rotate in and out of off site storage, so repeat visitors tend to see something new.

  • The Main Museum and Union Station: you can explore these two buildings on your own or with a docent.
  • The White Building Garage: a working garage, so it can only be seen with a guide.
  • Outboard motors and signage: a collection of more than 250 outboard motors plus vintage signs that round out the automotive story.
  • The LeMay Private Garage: opened to the public on special Private Garage Tours by reservation.

The museum also offers a Historic Tour by reservation and a Model T Experience; check the website for details on both.

The Story Behind It

The campus has a long life of its own. It was dedicated as St. Edward’s Boys’ School at Mary Mount on May 30, 1923, with the Dominican Sisters directing the school, and it later became Marymount Military Academy. By 1976 the boarding school had become too expensive to maintain. When the property came up for sale, Harold LeMay’s proposal was the only bid that would preserve the buildings and grounds, and he promised to maintain and improve them.

LeMay, who built a refuse business in the Tacoma area after World War II, assembled a collection that topped 3,000 vehicles at its peak. In 1997 the Guinness Book of World Records listed it as the largest privately owned car collection in the world. Marymount grew out of his wish to keep that collection together somewhere people could enjoy it, and the grounds also host the annual LeMay Car Show.

Tips for Your Visit

  • Give yourself time: the guided tour runs about two and a half hours.
  • The Historic Tour and Private Garage Tours require reservations, so book ahead if you want either one.
  • Groups of 10 or more should schedule a tour two weeks in advance.
  • Pair your visit with LeMay America’s Car Museum next to the Tacoma Dome to see the other half of the LeMay story.

Plan Your Visit

Address: 325 152nd St E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Phone: 253.272.2336
Website: lemaymarymount.org
Hours and admission: Check the museum website for current days, hours, and admission before you visit.
Directions: View on Google Maps

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