Celebrating Andrew Paul Huddleston’s Legacy in the Design Den

At the Mayborn, creativity and curiosity are at the heart of every hands-on experience, and a recent memorial gift is helping ensure that spirit continues to thrive in the Design Den.

The Mayborn Museum is honored to recognize a generous gift made in memory of Andrew Paul Huddleston (1995–2023), celebrating his passion for design, engineering, and supporting the next generation of STEM learners. Andrew’s family chose to honor his life through a contribution to the Design Den, a creative laboratory where visitors of all ages are encouraged to slow down, explore ideas, and engage in the joy of making.

While earning his engineering degree, along with minors in mathematics and robotics, Andrew was deeply involved in engineering leadership and mentorship. He believed strongly in giving back and helping young people discover their potential in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His family felt that the Design Den’s interactive environment — where experimentation, collaboration, and even mistakes are embraced as part of the creative process — reflected Andrew’s own enthusiasm for learning and innovation.

In the Design Den, participants use a wide range of materials to design, build, and test their ideas. Programs and projects, such as the collaborative Cardboard Craze exhibit, have invited visitors to tinker and invent in a welcoming space that celebrates imagination and problem-solving. Andrew’s memorial gift will help sustain these kinds of enriching experiences for future museum guests.

Through this meaningful tribute, Andrew’s legacy lives on in a place dedicated to inspiring curiosity and confidence in young creators. The Mayborn Museum is deeply grateful to Andrew’s family for honoring his memory in a way that will continue to spark creativity and discovery for years to come.