‘Motoring West’, the Huntington Goes 1900s

– Courtesy Photo

By Ea Nicole Madrigal

The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens is usually open to the public for a few hours every day (except for Tuesday) so that visitors can walk through the gorgeous garden settings or enlighten themselves in one of the various specialty galleries.  However, on Saturday evening, after the regular visitors for the day sauntered away from the grounds, over a hundred people gathered in the Huntington’s new auditorium to listen to a talk that brought them back in time… way back to the first decade of the 1900s.

Peter Blodgett, the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Manuscripts, provided a 30-minute presentation of research that makes up the findings in his newly published book, Motoring West: Automobile Pioneers, 1900-1909 (Vol. 1).  Blodgett’s seminar-like presentation was just the beginning of an evening filled with early 1900s music, automobiles, and yes, even people (or at least, persons dressed in the latest fashion of the period).

A ticketed event, it was well attended by various portions of the San Gabriel community (as well as members of the Huntington).  The Motoring West event not only highlighted the topic at hand, but provided visitors a time to partake in some of the newer additions and renovations to the Huntington grounds (including new gift shop, informational center, café, and educational center).

Blodgett’s talk, complete with Power Point slides of various early automobile advertisements, allowed viewers to imagine themselves in a time over a 100 years ago.  It was a period when western segments of the United States had yet to see paved roads or highways and when “automobiling” was a brand new venture, often reserved for the upper-middle class.  Blodgett reminded his audience that despite the well-known career and impact of Henry Ford and his Model T in the early automobile industry, in fact, there were many other automakers in the marketplace (several of whom promised the adventure of the “open road” in their advertisements).

However, if a historical discussion is not your idea of entertainment, the Huntington provided an immersive experience into the first decade of the 20th century.  Music was provided by “Men in Vests” as well as Corey Gemme and Musicians; meanwhile, over a dozen men and women dressed in early 1900s attire danced to the tunes of their time.  Additionally, organizations and private individuals drove their antique cars onto the Huntington grounds so that onlookers could better understand what early automobiles looked like; including a Model A Ford, Hudson 8, Cadillac Fleetwood, and a 1903 Cadillac (among several others).

During and after the festivities, several visitors sat on the veranda of the café with coffee, tea, or even wine in hand, and they enjoyed the natural beauty of the gardens while the sunset sank behind the well-known Huntington mansion.  It was a casual and enlightening evening filled with melodies lost over time and a topic as relevant now than ever, as transportation (especially here in California) continues to dictate the western ways of life.  For these reasons, Blodgett, and the Huntington, provided a memorable evening for everyone who attended.

Japanese Garden. – Photo courtesy The Huntington

More from Arcadia Weekly