RAAAAWWWRRRRRRRRRRR! Who would have thought that an LA County Museum could present big brawny dinosaur bones as things of elegance and beauty?
Visitors to the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park are treated to room upon room of elegant dinosaur skeletons, some flying from the lofty ceilings, some swimming though the air, some fighting, some scratching, some just looking back at visitors. Dinosaur Hall and its several balconies are stocked with well written signs and videos that explain and demonstrate how scientists have worked to unearth the beauties we are privileged to see. There is an entrance fee (unless you are a museum member, a teacher, active or retired military, ADA caregiver accompanying a guest, EBT card holder, USC student or faculty, LA County Resident (only after 3pm M-F) or under 2 years of age.
It is an overwhelmingly large and diverse display of what has been learned about the ancient world. And how it relates to our world. There are reconstructed dinosaurs and taxidermy of modern animals facing extinction, for example.
When (or more likely if) you finish with the dinosaurs, there is a room for recent exhibits. The current special exhibit shows biologist Ronan Donovan’s beautiful photos of wolves in a natural environment free of human interference. Permanent exhibits include the history of LA and the rooms covering mammals, birds, gems and much much more.
There are courteous docents who patiently answer the important questions: “Where can we get lunch?” and “Can you take our picture?”
We are definitely going back.