What is The Story Behind Petersen Automotive Museum?
The Petersen Automotive Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and evolution of the automobile. Located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, the museum is one of the premier automotive museums in the world. The museum houses a collection of over 300 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and other automobiles.
The Petersen Automotive Museum was founded by Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie. Robert E. Petersen was a well-known publisher of automobile magazines and an avid car enthusiast. He was the founder of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, which are still popular publications today.
Robert E. Petersen had a lifelong passion for automobiles and he wanted to share that passion with the world. In the early 1990s, he began to collect cars and motorcycles, and his collection grew quickly. He soon realized that he had amassed a significant collection of historic and rare automobiles and he decided to create a museum to house his collection.
The Petersen Automotive Museum opened its doors to the public in June 1994. The museum was housed in a historic building on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. The building had previously been a department store, and Robert E. Petersen had extensively renovated it to create the museum.
The museum’s collection was divided into several galleries, each focusing on a different aspect of automotive history. The galleries included the Hollywood Gallery, which showcased cars that had been featured in movies and television shows, the Motorsports Gallery, which showcased race cars and other high-performance vehicles, and the Alternative Power Gallery, which showcased vehicles powered by alternative fuels.
Over the years, the Petersen Automotive Museum has continued to grow and expand. In 2015, the museum underwent a major renovation and expansion, which added over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space. The museum also added several new galleries, including the Precious Metals Gallery, which showcases some of the most valuable cars in the museum’s collection, and the Children’s Discovery Center, which is designed to educate young visitors about the science and technology behind automobiles.
Today, the Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles. The museum attracts visitors from all over the world who come to see its impressive collection of historic and rare automobiles. The museum’s collection includes cars and motorcycles from every era of automotive history, from the earliest steam-powered vehicles to the latest high-tech electric cars.
One of the highlights of the Petersen Automotive Museum is the Vault. The Vault is a collection of over 250 rare and historic cars and motorcycles that are not normally on display in the museum’s galleries. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Vault and see some of the most unique and valuable cars in the world.
The Petersen Automotive Museum also hosts a variety of special events and exhibitions throughout the year. These events include car shows, auctions, and other automotive-themed events. The museum also hosts educational programs for students and young people, designed to inspire the next generation of car enthusiasts.
In addition to its impressive collection of automobiles, the Petersen Automotive Museum is also home to several art installations that celebrate the beauty and creativity of automotive design. These installations include sculptures, paintings, and other works of art that showcase the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating a beautiful and functional automobile.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is a testament to the passion and dedication of Robert E. Petersen and his wife Margie. Their vision of creating a museum dedicated to the history and evolution of the automobile has become a reality, and their legacy lives on through the museum’s continued growth and success. The Petersen Automotive Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves cars and wants to learn more about the history and technology behind the automobile.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is more than just a collection of cars and motorcycles. It is a living history of the automobile, a celebration of the innovation and creativity that has driven the automotive industry forward for over a century.
The museum’s collection includes a wide variety of vehicles, from classic American muscle cars to European sports cars and everything in between. The museum also features a number of historic vehicles, including the first gasoline-powered car ever built, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, and the oldest surviving American car, the 1886 Duryea.
In addition to its impressive collection of vehicles, the Petersen Automotive Museum also features a number of interactive exhibits and displays. These exhibits allow visitors to experience the science and technology behind the automobile, from the mechanics of an internal combustion engine to the aerodynamics of a modern race car.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the Forza Motorsport Racing Experience. This exhibit allows visitors to sit in a racing simulator and experience the thrill of driving a high-performance race car on some of the world’s most challenging race tracks.
Another popular exhibit is the ArtCenter College of Design Showcase, which features the work of students from one of the world’s leading automotive design schools. Visitors can see the design process behind some of the world’s most iconic cars and learn about the skills and techniques used by automotive designers to create these masterpieces.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is also home to a number of special collections, including the Bruce Meyer Collection, which features some of the most rare and valuable cars in the world, and the Richard Varner Collection, which showcases some of the most significant race cars in automotive history.
In addition to its impressive collection and exhibits, the Petersen Automotive Museum is also known for its unique architecture. The museum’s facade features a striking stainless steel ribbon that winds around the building, giving it a futuristic and dynamic appearance.
The museum’s interior is equally impressive, with sleek and modern galleries that showcase the vehicles and exhibits in an elegant and sophisticated manner. The museum’s central atrium features a stunning staircase that seems to float in mid-air, adding to the museum’s sense of drama and excitement.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is more than just a museum. It is a place where car enthusiasts and history buffs can come together to celebrate the beauty, innovation, and excitement of the automobile. It is a place where visitors can learn about the science and technology behind the cars they love, and where they can experience the thrill of driving a high-performance race car or exploring the hidden treasures of the Vault.
In short, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves cars and wants to learn more about their history, technology, and culture. Whether you are a lifelong car enthusiast or just looking for a fun and educational experience, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a place you will never forget.