The Petersen Automotive Museum, an internationally recognized automotive museum, is located at the beginning of a street referred to as "The Miracle Mile" and "Museum Row" in Los Angeles. The Museum carries the name of a long-time Southern California automobile enthusiast and Trustee of the Natural History Museum Foundation Board, Robert E. Petersen. Petersen, Chairman Emeritus, and founder of Petersen Publishing Company, along with his wife Margie, provided the momentum for the creation of the Museum by donating the funds to acquire the landmark Ohrbach Department Store building in Los Angeles, and launch its renovation for the Museum.

Encompassing more than 300,000 square feet, The Petersen Museum is dedicated to the interpretive study of the automobile and its influence on our culture; and features more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Five large, rotating exhibition galleries, with state-of-the-art displays of race cars, classic cars, vintage motorcycles, concept cars, celebrity and movie cars, and automotive design and technology displays occupy the second floor.

The first floor traces the history of the automobile in dioramas that depict life in Los Angeles throughout the 20th. century, and the influence of automobile culture on California lifestyles.

The Discovery Center located on the third floor, features hands-on automobile exhibits designed to spark a young interest in science.

The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at the corner of Fairfax Avenue) in the historic Miracle Mile District of Los Angeles, on Museum Row. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is closed Mondays.

For information on admission, parking and group rates call (323) 930-CARS (2277) or online go to: www.petersen.org.