Reimagine
A scientific marvel right in the heart of L.A.
A beloved destination for generations, La Brea Tar Pits is the richest Ice Age fossil site on Earth.
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, which oversees La Brea Tar Pits, is engaged in a multi-year plan to reimagine the 13-acre site, the first renovation in a half-century since the museum at La Brea Tar Pits opened to the public in 1977.
From the park to the exhibition spaces to research and collection facilities, the major transformation, led by architecture firm WEISS/MANFREDI, will invite visitors of all ages to better witness and engage with the scientific process and enjoy the beautiful grounds of this world-famous destination.
The creation of the new Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research is a highlight of this reimagined campus. The scientific research hub, a landmark gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation, will be the intellectual core of La Brea Tar Pits, illuminating how ancient ecosystems responded to climate change and mass extinction, and what those lessons mean for us today.
A renovated and expanded museum will bring more of La Brea’s incomparable collection to the public. The project will create a more integrated experience of both the museum and the landscape in Hancock Park—while retaining iconic features such as the museum’s historic frieze and enhancing accessibility to the beloved sloped grassy hills—as well as improve research and preservation facilities, increase community access, and develop a more sustainable infrastructure.
These architectural renderings are a window into our plans for the iconic museum and park, an unparalleled portal to the Ice Age. Highlights of this once-in-a-century project include:
- A new entry on Wilshire Boulevard will define a welcoming threshold between Hancock Park and the rest of the city
- A new, larger theater will increase capacity for a range of programs and events
- Visible labs and collections areas, revealing how fossils are prepared for exhibit and stored
- Indoor and outdoor classrooms that will deepen local support for public schools, students, and community-based organizations
As a site for community and culture, the museum’s Central Lawn and Loop will amplify the rich activities and events that take place in Hancock Park.
An elegant walking path will connect park to museum, giving visitors easy access to the museum’s main entrance and new vistas for enjoying the park.
A large flexible theater will greatly increase the capacity for programs, education, and events at the museum.
A new education grove will be an outdoor classroom that engages park visitors in the process of excavation.
A large renovated courtyard, along with other gathering spaces, will help expand the museum’s role as a formal and informal learning powerhouse for children, youth, and adults.
The La Brea Tar Pits museum and park will be a spot for Angelenos and far-flung visitors to gather and celebrate into the evening.
A New Scientific Research Hub
The Process
The County of Los Angeles led the environmental review process for the La Brea Tar Pits Master Plan. We are committed to ensuring that this effort is open and inclusive. Learn more.
In the News
The latest media coverage about Los Angeles’s most iconic scientific, cultural, and community site. Learn more.
History of La Brea Tar Pits
From the first excavations more than a century ago to landmark designations to today's discoveries, dig into La Brea's fascinating timeline. Learn more.
