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Tracing Our Roots: Natural History Museum Tackles 500 Years Of Los Angeles History
The undulating steel canopy that arches over the new exhibit. (Photos by Karen Knauer used with the permission of the Natural History Museum.)
By Sarah Chamberlain
Though Los Angeles was only incorporated in 1850, its huge population, sprawling geographic size and indelible mark on American culture indicate a much longer history.
This summer the Natural History Museum will be opening an ambitious permanent exhibit that takes us back—waaaaay back. "Becoming Los Angeles" seeks to do nothing less than trace our city's ecological and cultural evolution over the past 500 years. This new exhibit will open in July at the same that the museum's renovation and expansion opens up to the public—and just in time for the 100th anniversary of the museum next year.
This sounds like a really exciting time for the museum and the surrounding neighborhood, which now boasts its own Metro stop and space shuttle.
Kerosene headlight from a Southern Pacific locomotive, symbolizing the arrival of the railroad to Los Angeles. (Photo by Karen Knauer used with the permission of the Natural History Museum.)
The futuristic new exhibition space, featuring an eye-catching steel canopy, will span four galleries, 14,000 square feet and five centuries of history. Six major historical periods will be covered: the pre-Spanish period, the Spanish Mission era, the Mexican Rancho Era, early American expansion, L.A.'s early years as an incorporated American city and postwar L.A. These eras will be described through hundreds of cultural artifacts dating to 1781. Standout artifacts will include a sword from the Mexican War of Independence, Mexican-era governor Pio Pico's writing desk, Charlie Chaplin's “Little Tramp” costume and Walt Disney's 1923 animation stand.
As we mentioned, "Becoming Los Angeles" marks the completion of the the museum's major renovation process. Some of the buildings are in the process of being renovated, but the outdoor sections of the museum are also getting an overhaul. By June 2013, the museum will have 3.5 acres of reimagined outdoor space and a new entrance. The Los Angeles Times has a great, interactive overview of the complete plans.
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The museum faculty—and we—are excited for an exhibit that dares explore L.A.'s lore so thoroughly. Says the exhibit's lead historian, Dr. William Estrada: "The Museum has always been L.A.'s repository for housing its rich treasure's from the past...It is now time for [them] to be put on display so their stories can be told in a new and exciting format."
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