Exhibition

Mapel Orientation Gallery

Travel back in time and meet founder Henry E. Huntington, see a Red Car replica, grab a themed tour guide, create your own masterpiece, and even take a selfie with the Blue Boy!
A woman pushes a stroller through a gallery that features a miniature replica of an old Pacific Electric trolley car.

Whether you’re a first-time or repeat visitor, the Mapel Orientation Gallery is a favorite first stop on your visit to the world-renowned galleries and gardens of The Huntington. Learn about Henry E. Huntington’s impact on Los Angeles urban planning and transportation, watch a short video about how The Huntington came to be, plan your day with the help of one of our docents, and share your own top tips for visiting.

Things to Do and See

Red Cars

model of the red car

In 1901, Henry E. Huntington founded the Pacific Electric Railway Company. Nicknamed the Red Cars, it was a privately owned mass transit system in Southern California and the largest electric railway system in the world in the 1920s.

Takeaway Tours

a card dispalying a tour in a hour

Grab a Takeaway Tour that highlights a specific theme such as “Tranquility,” “Just for Kids,” and the popular “I Have an Hour” tour. Then take an easy stroll through the grounds with stops along the way.

Share Your Recommendations

hand-written card to see the turtles

Share your impressions and recommendations. We love your photos and ideas—and drawings!—about what to see and where to go.

Take a Selfie

young boy taking a selfie with Blue Boy cutout

Take a selfie with our life-size replica of the Blue Boy and tag us with #AtTheH on Instagram @thehuntingtonlibrary.

Huntington Timeline

page of scrapbook with photos

Explore The Huntington’s historic timeline and learn about the founding of the institution and how it has evolved over the past 100 years. Available online in Chinese and Spanish.

Color Our Collections

coloring picture of Blue Boy with colored pencils

Sit down with colored pencils and a coloring page and design your own masterpiece based on such works as The Blue Boy. Post on social media and use the tags #ColorTheH and #ColorOurCollections.

The Huntington: A History in 10 Minutes

Watch this animated short created by LA filmmaker Cosmo Segurson to gain insights into The Huntington’s history.

Map of the Grounds

Map of The Huntington grounds.

Use the map to locate galleries, gardens, and points of interest, or head to the Mapel Orientation Gallery across from 1919 Cafe to get oriented.

Map

Just for Kids

kids and parents at outdoor learning table

Discover all The Huntington has to offer for kids and families.

More Info

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