Photo by Gina Cholick, courtesy of NHMLAC.
Ceremony attended by elected officials, philanthropists, and leadership from the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County
The reimagined museum and park, designed by WEISS/MANFREDI, is set to reopen in 2028
LOS ANGELES, October 29, 2026 – Today, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHM) celebrated groundbreaking on the highly anticipated transformation of La Brea Tar Pits’ 13-acre campus, marking a major milestone in the reimagining of the world-renowned and locally beloved Los Angeles site.
The ceremony in Hancock Park brought together elected officials, community leaders, philanthropists, and leadership from the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHM) to commemorate the start of a new chapter for the iconic site.
Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of NHM, welcomed KCRW News Anchor Steve Chiotakis as host of the ceremony, which featured remarks from Congresswoman Laura Friedman; California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary Madeline Drake; Megan McGowan Epstein, President of the NHM Board of Trustees; Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell; and philanthropist Lynda Oschin, President of the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation.
During her remarks, McGowan Epstein announced that La Brea Tar Pits has raised more than $155 million to date towards its $240 million capital campaign supporting the transformation, including three new major gifts from prominent Los Angeles-based foundations: the Ahmanson Foundation at $10 million total to support the new fossil lab, the W. M. Keck Foundation at $5 million to support the new amphitheater, and Vera Campbell at $5 million to support the Science Education Gallery. The Reimagining La Brea Tar Pits Campaign has now reached the 65% mark, with leading contributions from public entities as well as private donors, demonstrating the vitality of the public-private partnership that makes NHM such a dynamic institution. To date, lead support has come from Los Angeles County, the State of California, NHM's Board of Trustees, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, and other generous donors.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for La Brea Tar Pits and for everyone who believes in the impact of this place, one of the most important geological sites on Earth for learning about the connections between climate change and the natural world,” said Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga. “For generations, La Brea Tar Pits has invited people to discover stories that deepen our understanding of the past. This transformation is possible because of a remarkable community of public and private partners, led by the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation, who share our belief that the science happening here should be protected, advanced, and experienced by people from Los Angeles and around the world.”
At the ceremony, Congresswoman Laura Friedman presented Lynda Oschin with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition honoring the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation’s landmark pledge toward the transformation earlier this year—the largest-ever donation in NHM’s history. The gift will support the development of the Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research, the intellectual heart of the transformation that brings together research, collections, and public engagement, strengthening La Brea Tar Pits’ ability to share discoveries and collaborate with researchers around the world.
“Science has the power to connect past, present, and future in ways that are deeply relevant to the challenges we face today,” said Lynda Oschin. “The Samuel Oschin Global Center for Ice Age Research at La Brea Tar Pits represents a commitment to rigorous research, public learning, and global collaboration – grounded in Los Angeles, but meaningful on a global scale.”
During the event, La Brea Tar Pits scientists and researchers shared fossils and explained the many discoveries made at the one-of-a-kind geological and paleontological site. Archival objects on display illuminated the long, rich history of the site.
“As we endure the effects of a changing planet, there has seldom been a more important time to expand opportunities to discover our natural world. By transforming the La Brea Tar Pits into a transparent, community-centered space, we are creating accessible, world-class educational facilities that bring Angelenos into the scientific process and inspire future scientists and civic leaders," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.
Reopening of the full campus, including the park and museum, is anticipated for 2028 — in advance of the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
While La Brea Tar Pits’ doors are closed to the public to facilitate the transformation, researchers remain active onsite – excavating fossils, advancing laboratory discoveries, caring for existing collections, and publishing studies that contribute to global understanding of the Ice Age and its relevance to our present and future ecosystems. Educational offerings will also continue through the La Brea Tar Pits Mobile Museum, which will visit schools and other public places throughout Los Angeles County. Visitors can also get closer to the research happening on-site through La Brea Tar Pits Insider Tours.
