2 Briefs 4. The Tar Pits and Museum NHM.ORG

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1 The Tar Pits and Museum We have been busy this summer making the destination that has been captivating Angelenos and tourists since it opened in 19, even better. I am excited to share that we have set into place enhanced indoor and outdoor experiences for visitors at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. To start, we gave the site museum, just steps away from the world s only ongoing Ice Age excavations, some sprucing up inside. We created new ways for visitors to watch real-time excavations outside every day and then peer into the paleontological lab inside the museum where the fossils are cleaned and sorted for study. We also debuted an exciting new film, Titans of the Ice Age, showing at the La Brea Tar Pits Museum s new 3D theater. We are planning more enhancements, too. 2 Briefs 4 Mummies Exhibition Unveiled NHM s New President and Director Dazzling Bugs on Camera Spiders and Their Webs A Dinosaur Ball Night Our astonishing fossil collections and our expertise should not just bring into focus the vital stories of the past, but also what is around us today and 13 Events and Calendar how it effects change in the future. We will bring scientific research that takes place behind the Be the first to unravel the mysteries of Mummies at these exclusive, after-hours opening receptions for NHM s new temporary exhibition, opening September 1. scenes and bring it out front even more. I believe that watching and hearing from the people closest to the discoveries makes the journey to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum a more personal and inviting experience. We hope you will join us. Institutional Partners Signature Sponsor NHM.ORG MUMMIES MEMBER PREVIEW WEEK September 10 1 Get a rare, up-close look at a selection of more than 20 mummies from ancient Egypt and Peru in this traveling exhibition. MUMMIES PATRON PARTY Friday, September 11, 10 pm All Patron, Naturalist, Explorer, and Adventurer members are invited to attend. To renew or upgrade your membership, visit NHM.ORG/membership or call was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago. MUMMIES VIP RECEPTION Thursday, September 10, 10 pm Learn more about the Fellows at NHM.ORG/fellows, fellows@nhm.org, or call Jane G. Pisano President and Director The Naturalist magazine is a publication of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and is issued six times a year. As a member benefit, each issue provides a look at Museum exhibits, collections, adventures, research, and events. Through them, we inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. Credit: CT scan: 2015 The Field Museum Gilded mask: 2015 The Field Museum, A115214d_035B, photographer John Weinstein 1

2 Natural History Family of Museums OUR POND S GOT FISH! There s something new to discover in the right now: William S. Hart Museum silver-colored swimmers. Dozens of Arroyo chub, a freshwater fish native If you have yet to see the Museum s temporary exhibition Grandes Horseshoe Tale to the coastal streams of Southern Maestros: Great Masters of Take a stride inside the William S. The La Brea California, are now snacking and Iberoamerican Folk Art, there s still Hart Museum, the hilltop mansion spawning in the rock-encircled pond. time to experience the celebrated and former home of the silent movie Tar Pits Museum We invited these thumb-sized fish to showcase of folk art masterpieces star, and you ll find the accoutrements join the other wildlife in this watery before it closes on Sunday, of a cowboy. Hart, the star of many a New Destination habitat because Arroyo chub are September 13. Dubbed one of Western films, loved horses so much classified as threatened in their native the best art shows of 2014 by the that he put up a wall of horseshoes range and hard to spot in local rivers. Los Angeles Times, Grandes Maestros in his formal dining room. A few of his We have been busy at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum this summer, putting into place exciting new experiences for visitors. There are new ways to engage in the tar pits excavations outside and in the real-time discoveries being made inside the museum lab. And a new 3D theater, presenting the 20-minute as well as information about how prehistoric animals, from dire wolves to saber-toothed cats, perished in the sticky asphalt seeps. Inside the museum, visitors will see a fresher interior. There are newly painted walls, new lighting, and polished floors, which spotlight the massive skeletons of mammoths and See Titans of Museum scientists are also interested in studying them because they are natural predators to mosquitoes and preferable to mosquitofish, which consume native amphibian eggs and many other insects. Visitors may catch Museum staff periodically checking the pond to make sure there s a diverse source of food, such as plankton, and ample hiding places. The best viewing spot? features 1,200 works of folk art from 22 Latin American countries from papier mâché carnival masks to giant wooden sculptures of jaguars that are bursting with color and spirit. The artworks, crafted by the best living artisans in the world, are a celebration of culture, tradition, beauty, and power; they also tell modern-day stories of communities across Latin America, Spain, and most beloved steeds are represented, including Fritz, his favorite horse. The horseshoe is mounted on a block shaped like a heart. There are horseshoes from the mare Cactus Kate and the giant mule Lisbeth, both of whom appeared in movies. Hart purchased Kate from her cowboy owner when he discovered Fritz had formed an attachment to her, and he bought Lisbeth because he liked her spunk. 2 film, Titans of the Ice Age, ties both other extinct creatures, as well as the Ice Age in our Try near the dock, where the chub Portugal. We are bringing those The Museum, a stately 1920s Spanishstyle mansion, also includes prized the inside and outside together. the glass-enclosed Fossil Lab. Those new 3D theater will be coming and going between the artistic and cultural traditions to 3 There are colorful new signs enhancements and a robust schedule weedy plants every day of the week. life in a variety of special museum Western artwork and memorabilia around the tar pits outside that offer details about the excavations, the paleontologists digging process, of tar pits tours will immerse people, both first timers and repeat visitors, in a richer outing through Ice Age L.A. Free for Members Visit TARPITS.ORG/titans for showtimes. events, too, where visitors can hear music, dance, and sample cuisine. Come by and join the fiesta. from the days of early Hollywood, when Hart rode into the sunset. See what we re digging up in our own backyard on Excavator Tours. Visit TARPITS.ORG/calendar for schedule. Image, above: Leslie Gordon, Manager of NHM s Vertebrate Live Animal Program, releasing chub into the Pond. See a video of the Arroyo chub at YOUTUBE/nhmla. Check out more about chub on our blog at NHM.ORG/nature. GRANDES MAESTROS Grandes Maestros is free for Members. Presented by ScholarShare, California s 529 College Savings Plan. Written by Rachel Barnes Visit HARTMUSEUM.ORG.

3 4 GET FACE TO FACE WITH MUMMIES FROM ANCIENT EGYPT AND PERU EXHIBITION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1 Inside the Museum s newly renovated galleries, visitors are about to experience the mysteries of rare, ancient mummies recently uncovered by scientists in the world premiere of the new traveling exhibition, Mummies: New Secrets. Developed by The Field Museum in Chicago, the extraordinary exhibition offers an unprecedented peek at more than 20 mummies and coffins from their preeminent collection, including one of the oldest mummies in the world. NHM is the first venue to present this one of the largest collections of mummies in North America to its visitors. The Mummies exhibition will reveal how scientific investigations use technology to uncover secrets that were once sealed with ancient Egyptian and Peruvian mummies and tombs. They will also marvel at archaeological gems on display such as stone sarcophagus fragments and pots placed in the tombs as offerings. The exhibition opens a new window into the environments, daily lives, beliefs, and rituals of societies from Pre-Dynastic Egypt to Pre-Inca Peru, revealing how these ancient peoples ingeniously prepared their loved ones for their journeys into the afterlife. The role of the natural history museum is to serve as an invitation to our visitors to explore our natural and cultural worlds, and science is our pathway, says Dr. Jane Pisano, NHM s President and Director. This exhibition uses modern science to provide new insight into these ancient peoples and their cultures, and in doing so, offers the world an intensely up-close look at the extraordinary mummies in Opposite page: Eye of Horus, the falcon god; Detail of a painted coffin from the late 25th Dynasty or early 26th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, approximately 00 to 600 B.C The Field Museum, A11521D_014A, photographer John Weinstein. The Field s outstanding collection, many of them tucked safely away in vaults for over a century. Here s a preview of what visitors can expect to encounter on their Mummies journey into these once-hidden worlds. ANTEROOM OF THE TOMBS As soon as visitors enter the tomb-like anteroom, the dim lighting will evoke the mysterious. An introductory video puts the ritual of mummification in context. In Egypt and South America (where mummification was most common and had the longest traditions), fathers, mothers, daughters, friends, and servants would mourn while the body was meticulously prepared. After the grave was sealed, the mummified remains lay underground. Thousands of years later when scientists uncover a tomb or open a coffin, they step back to the moment of burial and set about reconstructing a life story. Scientists coax out those biographical details delicately, using modern and non-invasive research instruments. (Visitors will see the damage that was done in decades past from physically unwrapping mummies, when they encounter an Egyptian mummy whose face had been unwrapped in the early twentieth century.) Throughout the exhibition, they ll see precisely how scientists and curators employed CT scanning, to create 3D-printed casts of bones and burial figurines. Make a Date for Image: This is a replica of a mummy mask made by the Chinchorro people, who lived in what is now Peru and Chile. They were the world s first practitioners of mummification The Field Museum, A115210d_029B, photographer John Weinstein. Tickets are free for Members. Member Preview Days are September Special Extended Opening Day Hours on Friday, September 1, 9:30 am to midnight. Visit NHM.ORG/mummies for more information. Sponsored by Macy s 5

4 FIRST CAME PERU The objects on display in the With the primer on mummies behind exhibition flesh out the everyday them, visitors will arrive in the next worlds of ancient Peruvians, too. section of the exhibition, which spotlights Peru. They will discover sharp stones that look like arrowheads, objects that reveal a surprising fact Peruvians were the world s first practitioners of mummification, thousands of years before the Egyptians. They wielded de-fleshing tools,000 years ago, 2,000 before Tools buried in tombs offer insight into different professions in ancient times, such as weaver, fishermen, and herder. A vivid, life-size replica of a Chancay culture tomb will show how several family members would often be buried together, wrapped in colorful cloth bundles, and surrounded by guardian figurines and pots of food and corn NHM Names Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga New President and Director the Egyptians adopted their burial beer. Families would often enter tombs practices. And visitors will see evidence of that around them ancient Peruvian mummy bundles made visible by CT scans and X-rays. to replenish these offerings to their relatives. An animated video also shows that mummies were sometimes hoisted out of tombs to be carried on Above: A double-spouted jar with the face of a jaguar, made in the Paracas culture ( BC). Fine ceramics were often buried with the mummified dead The Field Museum, A115203d_002A, photographer John Weinstein NHM President of the Board, Sarah Meeker Jensen, recently announced that earth scientist, education Bettison-Varga grew up coming to NHM and the La Brea Tar Pits. Those childhood visits fueled One mummy bundle contains a person litters to festivals. That practice was advocate, and college president Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga my love of science, my understanding of the effect in a compactly crouched position, in contrast to Egyptians, who tried to has been named President and Director of the Natural that humans have on the environment, my awareness showing how surprisingly simple seal the sarcophagus in tombs forever, of which tells of the deceased being History Family of Museums. Dr. Bettison-Varga is of the incredibly rich and diverse flora and fauna it is to fit a body inside. Nearby, a sometimes filling the entire burial led by the four animal-headed sons expected to begin her tenure as early as Fall of Southern California, and my fascination with CT-scanned bundle movingly reveals chamber with sand to make it of the god Horus. Visitors will also see She succeeds Dr. Jane Pisano, who has led the dynamic tectonic powers that have shaped a woman and her baby who probably inaccessible to thieves. the glittering otherworldly allure of NHM since and formed the Los Angeles Basin. both died in childbirth. An interactive gold, too. (Ancient Egyptians believed Dr. Bettison-Varga combines proven leadership Bettison-Varga earned her B.A. in geology touch-table allows visitors to virtually ANCIENT EGYPT LIT UP that gold would enable the person s ability and managerial skill with hands-on scientific from the University of California, Santa Barbara, unpack Peruvian mummies, and When visitors enter the Egyptian eyes, nose, and mouth to stay intact expertise and a passion for public education, Jensen before going on to her doctorate at UC Davis. find out the poignant clues of the section, they ll be immersed in a for the afterlife.) says. She has the vision and talent to move our She began her career on the faculties of Pomona lives of individual persons, and the re-creation of a walk-in tomb and One of the stars of Mummies museums into the next phase of our evolution, carrying College ( ) and The College of Wooster in surprising objects that were wrapped see real stone sarcophagus fragments is a 40-year-old female of the Roman into the future the transformation into a museum of Wooster, Ohio ( ). Prior to entering and buried with them. and an intricately painted coffin era, known as Gilded Lady, who had nature in addition to natural and cultural history. administration, Bettison-Varga was an active teacher from 600 B.C. There are tools used remained safely stored in The Field Bettison-Varga, a geologist who received her and scholar, receiving the National Young Investigator in the mummification process and Museum s vaults since 193. Besides Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, comes Award from the National Science Foundation in animal-headed containers to hold revealing her age, CT scans unveiled to NHM after serving for six years as President of 1994 and publishing widely on geology and academic preserved organs, since leaving organs that she had a slight overbite and Scripps College in Claremont, California. While there, pedagogy. A Claremont resident, she is married in the body would hasten decay. Cleopatra-like curly hair. Visitors she enhanced the national presence and visibility to geologist Bob Varga and has three children. Various wrapping techniques are will be able to come face to face with of the college, resulting in a 20 percent increase in Having seen the dramatic transformation 6 on display as well as evidence that Egyptians mummified cats, baboons, the Gilded Lady, as a forensically reconstructed sculpture hyper- annual applications for admission, implemented policies to foster greater transparency and community over the past decade at NHM under the leadership of Dr. Pisano, she says, I am thrilled to have birds, gazelles, and crocodiles and placed them in burial chambers with their loved ones. Some of the Egyptian coffins on display are plain; others are decorated wooden ones with hieroglyphs, one A beautifully gilded mummy case, from ancient Egypt, made for a tiny 11-year-old girl The Field Museum, A11521d_030B, photographer John Weinstein realistically portrays what she would have looked like when she was alive. These discoveries are just a sliver of the new secrets unearthed from the tombs, and each will inspire wonder that will last. was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago engagement, initiated strategic planning for diversity and sustainability, and inaugurated a comprehensive campaign with a $15 million target, raising more than $115 million in gifts and pledges from July 2009 to the present. In every year of her presidency, Scripps College recorded a budget surplus. the opportunity to lead this institution, taking up initiatives that range from citizen science and educational outreach to bring science and urban nature to all Angelenos, to the enhancement of the experience at the La Brea Tar Pits. I can t wait to get started.

5 I love telling people that I m an insect photographer and that I basically do tiny little portraits, says Kelsey Bailey, a recent USC grad who works with the Museum s entomologists to build a database of images of the miniscule creatures. A lot of people think of insects as annoying little specks. I try to show how intricate these beings are, and it brings people into a different world. AN EYE FOR INSECTS NHM S BUG PHOTOGRAPHER BRINGS A MICROSCOPIC WORLD INTO VIEW I LOVE TELLING PEOPLE THAT I M AN INSECT PHOTOGRAPHER AND THAT I BASICALLY DO TINY LITTLE PORTRAITS. Each of the insects on these pages was collected as part of the Museum s Biodiversity Science: City and Nature project. BioSCAN is a three-year investigation to discover which species of insects the most diverse group of animals on our planet are living in and around L.A. and how the city might be affecting their habitat. In 2015 alone, NHM entomologists discovered 30 new species of flies collected from backyards and community parks. That means there are innumerable numbers of other insect species flapping their infinitesimal wings around us that, as of yet, have no name and no paparazzi. BUG BIOS To get her dazzling shots, Bailey uses a digital single-lens reflex camera attached to a research microscope. She mounts the specimen, sets the lighting, and methodically shoots one sliver of the insect s anatomy at a time; it can take 50 shots to create a crisp, focused picture. The star bugs have fun facts to accompany their close-ups. Written by Jessica Portner Photographs by Kelsey Bailey See more spectacular bugs in a digital photo gallery at NHM.ORG/nature. The metallic sweat bee, though beautifully green and common in L.A., is often overlooked as it emerges from its underground nest in search of pollen to collect for its offspring. Look for them on daisy-like flowers between Summer and Fall. It s not clear why the glimmering blue mason bee, a species that has turned up in the, is so showy. But this flying jewel s blue exoskeleton may work like a coat of armor against insect defenses, such as stings. The twisted wing fly doesn t have the more common compound eyes of other flies; its clustered boysenberry-like eyelets, though, each produces an image of its own. As Bailey chooses which of the thousands of BioSCAN specimens to put under her camera/scope, sometimes she takes a little artistic license. She positions them to get the best light or for dramatic effect. The twisted wing fly has a voluminous wing, for example, that from a certain angle makes it resemble a flamenco dancer. The robber fly with its long legs jutting Opposite, above left: A twisted wing fly, a robber fly; above: blue mason bee; below: a fly that is one of the 30 new species of flies discovered as part of BioSCAN. forward into the lens looks like it s trying to snatch something in the middle of the night, Bailey says. In the Entomology Department, we don t have the luxury of studying large, easily appreciated animals like dinosaurs and whales, says Entomology Curator Brian Brown. Photography is especially important to get our message out that insects are also spectacular and beautiful. DISCOVER L.A. BUGS YOU VE NEVER SEEN At the Nature Lab Demo Table On s in the Nature Gardens 9

6 NOW SHOWING WEB SECRETS Above: silver argiope garden spider. that spiders use to catch prey, reproduce, and protect themselves. One look around the Pavilion and it s clear from the silky array that not all spiders have the same taste when it comes to home building. Listen to the ambient tunes of DJs, sip botanical-inspired cocktails, and discover L.A. s nature by doing hands-on science projects you love. FREE ADMISSION RSVP AT NHM.ORG/SUMMERNIGHTS SPIDER PAVILION Free for Members! Reserve your tickets today at TARPITS.ORG. MEMBER PREVIEW DAYS! Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, 10 am 5 pm Sponsored by Media Sponsors PRESENTED BY SPONSORED BY Free for Members with timed-ticket. Visit NHM.ORG/membertickets. WHY THEY SPIN Perhaps the showiest webs under the beige tent are made by golden silk spiders, whose abode of yellow threads can stretch six feet wide and is ounce for ounce stronger than steel. (Engineers are researching ways to mimic spider silk properties to create new materials that have similarly amazing qualities.) Visitors to the Pavilion will also spot the silver argiope s feat of engineering a zigzag web. One theory is that this crazy pattern has a dual purpose: It reflects ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can deter bees and birds from crashing into the web. It also acts as a snare for prey. Other eight-legged engineers in the Pavilion, such as the spiny-backed orb weaver, have different ways to achieve the same goal. The nickel-size female spider builds silk tufts into its web to make it more visible and to prevent birds from flying into her home. The DayGlo-colored orchard spider builds horizontal webs with a small hole in the center where the spider sits. It drops to the ground when threatened. When it comes to grub, Pavilion arachnids get home delivery during their stay. Visitors can check out these regular feedings in which crickets and flies are the main course. Then, visitors can watch these natural-born architects get back to business. For more information, visit TARPITS.ORG. Join us for NHM s all-new, adults-only sleepovers with grown-up scavenger hunts, curator talks, an open craft-beer-and-wine bar, midnight natural history movie-screenings with a munchies buffet, and more. Curatorial talks with Mammalogy Collections Manager Dr. Jim Dines: Friday, August So, Size Does Matter! Friday, August 21 You Are NOT the Father! Members: $5 / person Nonmembers: $95 / person To register and for information on family friendly sleepovers as well, visit NHM.ORG/sleepovers 11 For visitors, some of the most magical parts of the besides the eight-legged inhabitants are the webs they weave. One step inside the open-air exhibit, which opens September 2, and visitors will spot free-ranging spiders about 10 local and exotic species that were hand-picked by Museum staff, in part, for their web-building prowess. As the spiders spin their homes on shrubs, tree branches, or well-placed bamboo poles, Gallery Interpreters will be on hand to offer Pavilion-goers impromptu web architecture tours. Cat Urban, Manager of Invertebrate Live Animals and spider hunter, says webs are as amazing as their makers. Webs are a wonder of nature, says Urban. They re a 10 phenomenon. The silk is made in-house in their bodies and it s super strong, durable, flexible, lightweight, and comes in many colors and textures. There are many shapes of webs, too: orbs, funnels, and sheets FRIDAYS August and 21, 5 9 pm

7 12 A Dinosaur Ball to Remember The Dinosaur Ball, held in honor of Museum President and Director Jane G. Pisano on June 13, was full of sparkle and surprises from start to finish. Guests streamed into an outdoor farm lounge, complete with hay bales, a contemporary blue grass band, and pop-up appearances by Museum scientists who shared stories over cocktails and oysters. The formal dinner featured produce from the gardens and was served at one very long table set for 550 in the. The menu held true to the farm-to-table movement, using sustainable, local, organic food that was cooked on site. The highlight of the night was NHM Board President Sarah Meeker Jensen s surprise announcement that she and Board Chair Paul G. Haaga led a campaign that raised $ million to rename the Dinosaur Hall for Pisano, who is retiring after 14 years at the Museum. The event raised an additional $1.6 million, and was co-chaired by Trustees Diane Naegele, Heather de Roos, Helene DesRuisseaux, and Rick Keller. This was a fitting tribute for Jane, who has been pivotal in transforming NHM into a museum of living, breathing nature, says Danielle Lacharite Brown, Vice President for Annual Giving. It just felt right to celebrate her with an event held completely outside of our Museum s walls. The Dinosaur Ball was presented by ) Jane Pisano greets Co-Chair Diane Naegele. 2) Co-Chair Heather de Roos and her husband, Dirk de Roos, helped to craft the farm-to-table event concept. 3) Co-Chair Rick Keller and his wife, Jennifer, were proud to represent JP Morgan Chase, the evening s sponsor. 4) Dinner under the lights. 5) Dr. Pisano learns that the Dinosaur Hall has been renamed in her honor. 6) Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sachi Hamai, Interim CEO of Los Angeles County. ) Co-Chair Helene DesRuisseaux with her husband, Marcus Horwitz, and Alex and Anne-Marie Spataru. ) NHM Board President Sarah Meeker Jensen led the remarks. 9) A table set for 550 guests. You can still contribute to the 2015 Dinosaur Ball. If you d like further information, please contact Danielle Lacharite Brown at or dbrown@nhm.org AUGUST Summer Nights in the Gardens Fridays: August and 21, 5 9 pm Awaken your senses on botanical tours in the, have a picnic, hear DJs, and dive into citizen science. RSVP at nhm.org/summernights. Free admission. Sponsored by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Adult All-Nighter Friday, August, pm: So, Size Does Matter! Friday, August 21, pm: You are NOT the Father! Enjoy Summer Nights in the Gardens, then come inside the Museum for a night of exclusive programming, an open-beerand-wine bar, midnight movie screening with munchie buffet, and more. Register for all sleepovers at nhm.org/sleepovers. BioBlitz L.A. Saturdays, August and 29, 9 am Help us study the nature of L.A. by sending us your photos of plants and animals. For information, us at nature@nhm.org. Silents Under the Stars Saturday, August, 6 pm Visit hartmuseum.org for information. Friday, August 14, 6:30 pm 9 am: Camp Tar Pits Friday, August 2, 6:30 pm 9 am: Camp Butterfly for Girls At NHM, learn about dinosaurs or enjoy the beauty of live free-flying butterflies. At the tar pits, sleep under the stars, learn about the tar pits and the titans that lived during the Ice Age. For ages 5 and up with participating adult. Festival Celebrating Grandes Maestros Closing Weeks Sunday, August 30 Join us as we celebrate the closing weeks of Grandes Maestros with some of the season s best hands-on activities and musical performances inspired by the art, materials, and cultures featured in the folk art exhibition. The La Brea Tar Pits Museum Programs presented by SEPTEMBER Intro to Gardening Workshop Series Sundays, September 13, 20, 2, and October 4, 1 4:30 pm Create your own edible garden of fresh organic produce. Visit nhm.org/workshops. Special Opening Day Hours September 1, 9:30 am midnight Unravel the mysteries of mummies at this new traveling exhibition. For tickets and information, visit nhm.org/mummies. Developed by The Field Museum, Chicago. Sponsored by Macy s. Sunday, September 2, 10 am 5 pm Visit the open-air Pavilion where many species of spiders spin their amazing webs. Timed-ticket required. Visit nhm.org/spiders. Sponsored by Western Exterminator. September 19 20, pm 9 am: Camp Arachnids September 25 26, 6:30 pm 9 am: Camp Dino For ages 5 and up with participating adult. Critter Club Saturday, September 26, 10 am and Visitors learn about science in familyfriendly classes. Designed for 3-to 5-yearolds and a participating adult. Junior Scientist Saturday, September 26, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm Learn how to do scientific work by using the same techniques as Museum researchers. Designed for 6- to 9-year-olds and their families. Visit nhm.org/calendar for more information. Nature Navigators October through March, 10 am 1 Over a new, six-month season, 15 children will take part in self-guided citizen science projects, discover the abundance of biodiversity in L.A., and contribute to Museum scientists work. Space is limited. Register, beginning September 14, at nhm.org or call Mummies events sponsored by For more information about all events, visit NHM.ORG/calendar. Members Only Saturdays, August 1 and September 12 Call or rsvp@nhm.org. Free for Members at the Patron Family level ($210) or higher. Summer Nights in the Garden Pop-up Members Lounge Fridays, August, and August 21, 5 9 pm Sip cocktails, and discover L.A. s nature. September 10 1 Get a rare, up-close look at a selection of over 20 mummies from ancient Egypt and Peru in this traveling exhibition. Mummies VIP Opening Reception Thursday, September 10, 10 pm Learn more about the Fellows at nhm.org/fellows, fellows@nhm.org, or call Mummies Patron Party Friday, September 11, 10 pm All Patron, Naturalist, Explorer, and Adventurer members are invited to attend. To renew or upgrade your membership, visit nhm.org/membership or call Mummies events sponsored by Macy s. Alliance Circle Luncheon at NHM Wednesday, September 16, 11:30 am Member Preview Days September Sponsored by Western Exterminator Fellows in Focus: Spectacular Spiders Saturday, September 26, 10 am 1 Celebrate spiders at Makersville in Long Beach and talk to a Museum entomologist. This event is a benefit of the Fellows $2,000 level of membership and above. RSVP at Events noted with this icon are reserved for our Members. Visit NHM.ORG/renew or call to upgrade your membership. 13 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY AY SATURDAY SUNDAY / / / / / / / / / / To learn more about the Museum s programs and events, visit nhm.org/calendar :30 am / 11:15 pm / 1 10:30 am / 11:15 am / 1 / / / / / / 1 4:30 pm Intro to Gardening Workshop Series 10 pm Mummies Patron Party 10 pm Mummies VIP Opening Reception :30 am 12 am Opens 14 / / / / / / 10:30 am / 11:15 pm / 1 10:30 am / 11:15 am / 1 11:30 am Alliance Circle Luncheon 1 4:30 pm Intro to Gardening Workshop Series pm 9 am Overnight Adventures Camp Arachnids am 5 pm Member Preview Day am 5 pm Member Preview Day am 5 pm Opens 10:30 am / 11:15 am / 1 10 am 1 Fellows in Focus: Spectacular Spiders 10:30 am / 11:15 pm / 1 / / / 10 am / Critter Club 10:30 am / 1:30 pm Junior Scientist / / / 6:30 pm 9 am Overnight Adventures Camp Dino 1 4:30 pm Intro to Gardening Workshop Series Members receive free admission to all three museums in the Natural History Family See the world premiere of opening Friday, September 1, at NHM. La Brea Tar Pits Museum programs presented by Mummies programs presented by ONGOING EVENT DESCRIPTIONS NHM FAMILY OF MUSEUMS Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, California DINO nhm.org Visit the open-air Pavilion where many species of spiders spin their amazing webs. Timed ticket required. Visit nhm. org/spiders. Sponsored by Western Exterminator. Join us on a walk through the to explore the amazing biodiversity of life that also calls L.A. home. Come face to face with our Saber-toothed Cat don t worry, she s a puppet and learn about life in the Ice Age! Get closer to dinosaurs than you ever thought possible in these amazingly real performances! Visit nhm.org for schedule updates. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum 501 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California PAGE tarpits.org Come spend a night at the at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and get stuck in gooey activities. At NHM, learn about dinosaurs and the history of L.A. For ages 5 and up with participating adults. See the world premiere of the temporary exhibition developed by The Field Museum, Chicago. Get a rare, up-close look at more than 20 mummies, many of which have never been on public display. Visit nhm.org/mummies for tickets and information. Sponsored by Macy's. Drop by to meet different animals daily, from bugs to boas. William S. Hart Museum Newhall Avenue Newhall, California hartmuseum.org Titans of the Ice Age The all new unforgettable 3D film is a journey back in time you won't want to miss. Free for Members. Reserve tickets at tarpits.org/titans. Presented by Hasbro, Inc. Member Preview Days Members get to see all new exhibits before they open to the public. Hang out with our scientists, and then go on a scavenger hunt throughout the Museum! A free monthly program for Members at the Patron Family level ($210) and higher. RSVP required at Grab your binoculars and bug nets and explore the new at NHM! Daily programs may include bird walks, bug hunts, tastings in the Edible Garden, and more! Gallery and Highlights Tours In NHM s award-winning tour, a Gallery Interpreter takes you on a journey featuring a fascinating new topic each day. In the new Gallery Highlights Tour, we ll spotlight the Museum s stars, from dinosaurs to gems. Tours start at the Dueling Dinos in the Grand Foyer.

8 Join us on a walk through the to explore the amazing biodiversity of life that also calls L.A. home. Come face to face with our Saber-toothed Cat don t worry, she s a puppet and learn about life in the Ice Age! Get closer to dinosaurs than you ever thought possible in these amazingly real performances! Visit nhm.org for schedule updates. Paid Events NHM Fellows Events NHM Member Events Offsite Adventure Adult All-Nighter Come to an all-new adults-only sleepover at NHM for a night of exclusive programming including a midnight movie screening, and more. Register at nhm.org/ sleepovers. Gallery and Highlights Tours In NHM s award-winning tour, a Gallery Interpreter takes you on a journey featuring a fascinating new topic each day. In the new Gallery Highlights Tour, we ll spotlight the Museum s stars, from dinosaurs to gems. Tours start at the Dueling Dinos in the Grand Foyer. Grab your binoculars and bug nets and explore the new at NHM! Daily programs may include bird walks, bug hunts, tastings in the Edible Garden, and more! Hang out with our scientists, and then go on a scavenger hunt throughout the Museum! A free monthly program for Members at the Patron Family level ($210) and higher. RSVP required at Titans of the Ice Age The all new unforgettable 3D film is a journey back in time you won't want to miss. Free for Members. Reserve tickets at tarpits.org/titans. Presented by Hasbro, Inc. Member Preview Days Members get to see all new exhibits before they open to the public. William S. Hart Museum Drop by to meet different animals daily, from bugs to boas. At the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, come spend a night at the tar pits and get stuck in gooey activities. At NHM, learn about dinosaurs and the history of L.A. For ages 5 and up with participating adults. Summer Nights in the Garden Awaken your senses on botanical tours in the, have a picnic, hear DJs, and dive into citizen science. RSVP at nhm.org/ summernights. Free admission. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Natural History Museum ONGOING EVENT DESCRIPTIONS NHM FAMILY OF MUSEUMS Institutional Partners 6:30 pm 9 am Overnight Adventures Camp Butterfly for Girls / / / / / / / / / / 9 am BioBlitz L.A. Festival Celebrating Grandes Maestros Closing Weeks 24 / Adult All-Nighter pm 5 9 pm Summer Nights in the Garden Pop-up Members Lounge 5 9 pm Summer Nights in the Garden / / / / / / / / / / Members receive free admission to all three museums in the Natural History Family. 6:30 pm 9 am Overnight Adventures Camp Tar Pits / / / / / / / / / / Adult All-Nighter pm 6 pm Silents Under the Stars 5 9 pm Summer Nights in the Garden Pop-up Members Lounge 5 9 pm Summer Nights in the Garden / / / / / / / / / / 9 am BioBlitz L.A / / / / / / 1 10 am 1 Chocolate Workshop 2 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Membership Office 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 9000 Telephone In This Issue: Insects: A Dazzling Photo Gallery SPIDER PAVILION IS BACK! MEMBER PREVIEW DAYS Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26 Public Opening Sunday, September 2, 10 am 5 pm Free for Members with timed tickets. Reserve yours at NHM.ORG/membertickets or call Fellows in Focus: SPECTACULAR SPIDERS Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Los Angeles, CA Permit no Saturday, September am 1 Celebrate spiders on an outing with a Museum entomologist. Fellows events are a benefit of the Fellows $2,000 level of membership and above. Visit NHM.ORG/fellows. Proudly sponsored by The Magazine of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County August and September 2015 MUMMIES: NEW SECRETS FROM THE TOMBS A New Exhibition Opens