The New
Natural History Museum
LA
How LA's oldest museum, is hoping to become the world's favorite natural history museum.
A Special Edition of: Museum of the Month
you haven't been to the Los Angeles Natural History Museum(NHM) in the past few year you've missed some of the new additions that have helped the NHM become, one of the best general science museums in the United States.
The transformation started in 2008 with the creation of the Age Of Mammals exhibit, located just off the historic center rotunda. The exhibit focuses on the themes of evolution and the traits of mammals. It also shows visitors how archeologists and scientists discovered the traits of mammals.
The curators used a clever method to explain mammal traits and adaptations. By explaining how the shape of the bone, and the bones alignment change the way prehistoric mammals walked, the curators explain natural selection, as well as give insight on how the scientists discovered how the mammals walked. The height of the hall allows for a second floor catwalk, which lines the walls ten feet above the first level. Curators devote half of the upstairs portion to explaining the traits of early mammals, and devote the other half to a timeline showing how different climates led to the existence of many types of large mammals. The timeline, rightfully, pays special attention to how the Los Angeles climate has changed and led to the prospering of different animals. Between the catwalk's sides, large mammal skeletons are suspended in mesh netting. Downstairs features larger fossils and takes use of the huge space to provide a roomy atmosphere in which placards and displays are far less concentrated than upstairs. The downstairs portion is especially appealing to the elementary school set, who are impressed by the size and beauty of the mammals hanging overhead. Finally, near the back of the exhibit, is a display using early human fossils to show the evolution of humans, providing a satisfying end to the exhibit.
The NHM's transformation also included the Dinosaur Hall which opened in 2011. The hall is still the museum's main attraction, and is always packed with the public. In some ways the number of people in the hall makes the dinosaurs seem smaller and less impressive than they truly are; However, the exhibit does show off the museum's ability to inspire, amaze and teach. The Dinosaur Hall, focuses on evolution, similar to the Mammal Hall, but also devotes plaques, and displays to show how the dinosaurs were discovered and displayed, making the exhibit more personal, and enjoyable. The front of the hall, located just off the back entrance, is outfitted with four gigantic dinosaur skeletons. The skeletons show off the size of the prehistoric beasts, and provide a memorable entrance to the exhibit. Three of those skeletons are part of a series of T- rex skeletons which document the growth of a T-rex from its youth to adulthood. The collection features the youngest mostly complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (one that died at seven years old), a skeleton of a T-Rex who died as a teenager, and a full grown skeleton. The set of skeletons are incredible when viewed in sequence, but in the crowded exhibit it's hard to gleam the relevance of the three skeletons. The second room is far more cramped and features more displays and interactive opportunities. Upstairs, curators focus on the traits of dinosaurs, and chronicle how archeologists discovered those traits. On one side of the room is a large screen crowded by children eager to play the game it displays. The characters in the game hunt for, and remove dinosaur fossils using techniques similar to those of the real archeologists. The game helps shed light on the processes of preserving and categorizing the bones, which are steps of the process of recovering the bones. Downstairs, fossils stand on strange black pedestals, possibly designed to resemble volcanic rock. Placards explaining the relevance of the fossils are affixed in strange angles along the rock face and explain the basic traits and habits of the dinosaurs which they describe. Placards through-out the exhibit describe dinosaurs not featured in the exhibit and are adhered to railings upstairs and down. The exhibit does its job in revealing the world of the dinosaurs and the archeologists who uncover their secrets.
The final phase in the Natural History Museum's transformation was the completion of the Nature Gardens, Nature Lab, and the huge glass pavilion. The Nature Gardens are impressively designed gardens, interconnected with a path of decomposed granite. Although they do get you up close with nature, they often times seem un-natural. The gardens are so clean cut and perfectly landscaped they almost seem to take away from the natural beauty of the plants and animals within them. It must also be noted that the nature gardens will become less artificial over time as the life inside of them adapts to its new surroundings. The most interesting part of the gardens are the hummingbirds who dip and dive from bird feeders and flowers. The curators do a good job in helping you identify the different species, by providing visitors with roaming volunteers eager to answer questions about the hummingbirds and the other inhabitants of the gardens. The many drought resistant plants add a special touch, and show how southern Californians can plant and manage a garden of drought resistant plants without much water or time.
The Nature Lab located just inside from the gardens, focuses on citizen science, and invites visitors to truly approach nature with out being actually in it. Located directly to the left as you walk in, is a wall marked by a flow chart explaining how visitors can get involved with citizen science. To the right of the flow chart are long white tables which are painted with the stories of Los Angeles raised Natural History Museum employees, and depict a moment in the employee's childhood where she or he experienced nature in Los Angeles. Directly behind the tables a projector provides visitors with pictures taken in Los Angeles of birds, and mammals. Near the back of the lab, terrariums and tanks provide homes for small creatures. Another table holds microscopes where volunteers stand and take questions as well as categorize insects. The lab provides a unique place where visitors can experience nature through pictures, stories, and small animals.
The final part of the transformation is the completion of the Otis Booth Pavilion, which is a gigantic glass cube where a whale skeleton hangs. As you walk into the Natural History Museum you enter a world of beauty, natural beauty. Perhaps you will not walk out with all the information the museum provides, but you will walk out with an appreciation of our natural history, and the urge to know more. A natural history museum's job is to open people up to nature and provide them with the tools to learn about its creatures. With new permanent exhibits, and renovations, the Los Angeles Natural History Museum has never before been as ready as it is now, to amaze its visitors and inspire their thirst for knowledge in science and nature. The Natural History Museum will not only satisfy some of your thirst for knowledge but also make you more thirsty.
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The transformation started in 2008 with the creation of the Age Of Mammals exhibit, located just off the historic center rotunda. The exhibit focuses on the themes of evolution and the traits of mammals. It also shows visitors how archeologists and scientists discovered the traits of mammals.
The curators used a clever method to explain mammal traits and adaptations. By explaining how the shape of the bone, and the bones alignment change the way prehistoric mammals walked, the curators explain natural selection, as well as give insight on how the scientists discovered how the mammals walked. The height of the hall allows for a second floor catwalk, which lines the walls ten feet above the first level. Curators devote half of the upstairs portion to explaining the traits of early mammals, and devote the other half to a timeline showing how different climates led to the existence of many types of large mammals. The timeline, rightfully, pays special attention to how the Los Angeles climate has changed and led to the prospering of different animals. Between the catwalk's sides, large mammal skeletons are suspended in mesh netting. Downstairs features larger fossils and takes use of the huge space to provide a roomy atmosphere in which placards and displays are far less concentrated than upstairs. The downstairs portion is especially appealing to the elementary school set, who are impressed by the size and beauty of the mammals hanging overhead. Finally, near the back of the exhibit, is a display using early human fossils to show the evolution of humans, providing a satisfying end to the exhibit.
The NHM's transformation also included the Dinosaur Hall which opened in 2011. The hall is still the museum's main attraction, and is always packed with the public. In some ways the number of people in the hall makes the dinosaurs seem smaller and less impressive than they truly are; However, the exhibit does show off the museum's ability to inspire, amaze and teach. The Dinosaur Hall, focuses on evolution, similar to the Mammal Hall, but also devotes plaques, and displays to show how the dinosaurs were discovered and displayed, making the exhibit more personal, and enjoyable. The front of the hall, located just off the back entrance, is outfitted with four gigantic dinosaur skeletons. The skeletons show off the size of the prehistoric beasts, and provide a memorable entrance to the exhibit. Three of those skeletons are part of a series of T- rex skeletons which document the growth of a T-rex from its youth to adulthood. The collection features the youngest mostly complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (one that died at seven years old), a skeleton of a T-Rex who died as a teenager, and a full grown skeleton. The set of skeletons are incredible when viewed in sequence, but in the crowded exhibit it's hard to gleam the relevance of the three skeletons. The second room is far more cramped and features more displays and interactive opportunities. Upstairs, curators focus on the traits of dinosaurs, and chronicle how archeologists discovered those traits. On one side of the room is a large screen crowded by children eager to play the game it displays. The characters in the game hunt for, and remove dinosaur fossils using techniques similar to those of the real archeologists. The game helps shed light on the processes of preserving and categorizing the bones, which are steps of the process of recovering the bones. Downstairs, fossils stand on strange black pedestals, possibly designed to resemble volcanic rock. Placards explaining the relevance of the fossils are affixed in strange angles along the rock face and explain the basic traits and habits of the dinosaurs which they describe. Placards through-out the exhibit describe dinosaurs not featured in the exhibit and are adhered to railings upstairs and down. The exhibit does its job in revealing the world of the dinosaurs and the archeologists who uncover their secrets.
The final phase in the Natural History Museum's transformation was the completion of the Nature Gardens, Nature Lab, and the huge glass pavilion. The Nature Gardens are impressively designed gardens, interconnected with a path of decomposed granite. Although they do get you up close with nature, they often times seem un-natural. The gardens are so clean cut and perfectly landscaped they almost seem to take away from the natural beauty of the plants and animals within them. It must also be noted that the nature gardens will become less artificial over time as the life inside of them adapts to its new surroundings. The most interesting part of the gardens are the hummingbirds who dip and dive from bird feeders and flowers. The curators do a good job in helping you identify the different species, by providing visitors with roaming volunteers eager to answer questions about the hummingbirds and the other inhabitants of the gardens. The many drought resistant plants add a special touch, and show how southern Californians can plant and manage a garden of drought resistant plants without much water or time.
The Nature Lab located just inside from the gardens, focuses on citizen science, and invites visitors to truly approach nature with out being actually in it. Located directly to the left as you walk in, is a wall marked by a flow chart explaining how visitors can get involved with citizen science. To the right of the flow chart are long white tables which are painted with the stories of Los Angeles raised Natural History Museum employees, and depict a moment in the employee's childhood where she or he experienced nature in Los Angeles. Directly behind the tables a projector provides visitors with pictures taken in Los Angeles of birds, and mammals. Near the back of the lab, terrariums and tanks provide homes for small creatures. Another table holds microscopes where volunteers stand and take questions as well as categorize insects. The lab provides a unique place where visitors can experience nature through pictures, stories, and small animals.
The final part of the transformation is the completion of the Otis Booth Pavilion, which is a gigantic glass cube where a whale skeleton hangs. As you walk into the Natural History Museum you enter a world of beauty, natural beauty. Perhaps you will not walk out with all the information the museum provides, but you will walk out with an appreciation of our natural history, and the urge to know more. A natural history museum's job is to open people up to nature and provide them with the tools to learn about its creatures. With new permanent exhibits, and renovations, the Los Angeles Natural History Museum has never before been as ready as it is now, to amaze its visitors and inspire their thirst for knowledge in science and nature. The Natural History Museum will not only satisfy some of your thirst for knowledge but also make you more thirsty.
By Peter Smith