Petersen Automotive Museum Gets The Green Light
22 March 2000
Petersen Automotive Museum Gets The Green Light
Over $30 Million Dollar Gift from the Margie & Robert E. Petersen Foundation
Ensures Continuation of One of the World's Preeminent Automotive Museums
LOS ANGELES, March 21 The Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors and the Board of Directors of the Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County have officially approved the transfer of the Petersen
Automotive Museum and its automotive and artifact collection to the new
Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation, a non-profit organization.
The transfer, which will be effective on April 1, has been made possible
by one of the most generous gifts ever made to any museum in the United
States. More than $30 million has been given to the Los Angeles County Museum
of Natural History foundation by the Margie & Robert E. Petersen Foundation to
ensure the continuation of the award-winning, world-class facility.
The Museum is the brainchild of publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen,
also founder and chairman emeritus of Petersen Publishing, now known as EMAP
USA. Under his direction, the company developed more than 70 internationally
popular titles such as Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Motorcyclist, Hunting, Skin
Diver, Photographic and Teen.
The current Board of Directors for the Petersen Automotive Museum includes
Board Chairman Bruce Meyer, Peter W. Mullin, Alexandria Phillips, David
Sydorick, Bill Tilley, and Margie Petersen. Internationally-recognized
automotive authority Ken Gross will continue in his position as director of
the Museum.
"We were touched by the enormous outpouring of support from so many people
who wanted to see the institution survive and prosper," said Robert E.
Petersen. "We are thrilled to be a part of this new non-profit charitable
organization, and are comforted in knowing that the children and residents of
Southern California will continue to have access to this wonderful educational
and social center for years to come."
Current Museum exhibitions include "Treasures of the Vault: Cars from the
Permanent Collection" and "Arte y Estilo: The Lowriding Tradition," which will
run through May 28. On June 17, the Museum will unveil its "Cars of the
Stars" exhibition, a display of some of the most memorable vehicles from film
and television. The exhibition will officially kick-off on June 15, with a
gala event to benefit the museum.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is dedicated to the interpretive study of
the automobile and its influence on our culture and lives. The Museum
features more than 200 rare and classic cars, trucks, sportscars and
motorcycles. It has also served as the venue for numerous civic affairs and
charity events, and is equipped to facilitate gatherings of well over 1,000
guests. The multi-million dollar Museum first opened to the public on
June 11, 1994 and is located at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax
Avenue along Museum Row.
With true-to-life dioramas that provide visitors with an opportunity to
actually walk through exhibits, the Museum lets guests experience Los Angeles
and its culture over the last 100 years. The Museum recaptures Southern
California's fabled love affair with the automobile, showcases today's hottest
models, and offers a unique look at the concepts and design trends of the
automobile's unlimited future.
Admission prices are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID
and $3 for children ages 5-12. Museum members and children under 5 are
admitted free. Covered parking is available for $4.50 per car. The Museum is
open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
For general Museum information call (323) 930-CARS or visit the Museum's
website address at http://www.petersen.org.