Celebrate Black History Month With The Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibit At The Petersen Automotive Museum

27.02.2024 - 22:19 / forbes.com

As Black History Month draws to a close, the Negro Motorist Green Book Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum is still going strong and open to the public. Featuring a carefully curated selection of artifacts and narratives relating to the famous ‘Green Book’ guide, the showcase is a treasure trove of mid-century American culture. Having partnered with the Smithsonian to bring the show to life, the museum delves into history in an exciting departure from its usual exhibition schedule.

The objects, stories and photographs displayed at the museum are a glimpse into the lives of African American motorists throughout the Jim Crow years. Alongside travel narratives, visitors can learn about the business that flourished alongside heavily trafficked routes. The historic significance of the green book has become iconic thanks to Peter Farrelly’s award winning 2018 movie titled “Green Book.”

Inquisitive and introspective, this exhibit reaches even deeper to explore its role as a beacon in an era of segregation, uncertainty, and violence. Considering the road as a timeless symbol of transition and periphery, the presence of tangible artifacts in one cohesive display offers a clear look at a crucial period in African American history.

A can't-miss landmark on LA's Museum Row, the Petersen was founded to celebrate and honor automotive history in one of the world’s capitals of car culture. Additional exhibits currently on view include Inside Tesla, Hollywood Customs and Corvettes in Competition.

The exhibit has been made possible thanks to a collaboration between the Smithsonian’s Traveling Exhibition Service and author, photographer and documentarian Candacy Taylor. In fact, the exhibit has been on the road for three years, having spent time at institutions like Houston’s Holocaust Museum. History buffs and automotive enthusiasts will both enjoy the museum’s bridging of mid-century social realities and road culture. The museum is open daily, and the onsite Manx Cafe serves coffee, breakfast and lunch. The Petersen will be hosting the showcase until March 10th, so if you plan to visit Los Angeles before then, be sure to add this to your itinerary. If you are unable to make it to the exhibit in person, the Smithsonian offers a virtual tour on its website.