The La Brea Tar Pits to Launch $240 Million Campus Transformation This July

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) will begin a major $240 million transformation of the La Brea Tar Pits campus this July, marking the most significant upgrade to the iconic paleontological site in decades. The project, officially titled La Brea Tar Pits: Reimagined, aims to enhance scientific research capabilities, improve public engagement, and modernize visitor facilities while preserving the site’s world-renowned Ice Age fossil deposits.

Located in Hancock Park in the heart of Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits have been an active paleontological excavation site for over a century, yielding more than 3.5 million fossils from the Pleistocene epoch. The upcoming renovation, led by NHMLAC in collaboration with architects Weiss/Manfredi and landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, will integrate new museum spaces, outdoor exhibits, and sustainable infrastructure without disrupting ongoing scientific work.

Key Components of the $240 Million Transformation

The comprehensive redesign focuses on three primary goals: expanding access to scientific research, creating immersive educational experiences, and strengthening the connection between the tar pits and the surrounding urban environment.

New Museum and Research Facilities

A new two-story, 40,000-square-foot museum building will replace the existing Page Museum, which opened in 1977. The facility will feature expanded exhibition galleries, state-of-the-art fossil preparation labs, and climate-controlled storage for the museum’s extensive collections. Researchers will gain improved access to active excavation sites, including Pit 91 and Project 23, where new fossils continue to be uncovered.

The design emphasizes transparency, allowing visitors to observe scientists at work through viewing windows and interactive displays. According to NHMLAC, the new labs will support advanced techniques such as DNA analysis, isotopic testing, and 3D scanning — methods that were not available when the original museum was constructed.

Outdoor Exhibits and Landscape Integration

The renovation will reimagine the 13-acre Hancock Park landscape with new pedestrian pathways, shaded gathering areas, and outdoor exhibits that explain the geological and ecological significance of the tar pits. Native vegetation will be restored to reflect the Pleistocene ecosystem, and interpretive signage will highlight how asphalt seeps trapped animals over tens of thousands of years.

A central feature of the outdoor space will be a recreated “Ice Age meadow” featuring life-sized models of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves — species commonly found in the tar pits. These exhibits will be designed to evolve as new scientific discoveries emerge.

Sustainability and Community Access

The project incorporates sustainable design principles, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and drought-tolerant landscaping. NHMLAC aims to achieve LEED Gold certification for the new buildings. The campus will offer expanded community programming, including free admission days, school partnerships, and bilingual educational resources in English and Spanish to better serve Los Angeles’ diverse population.

Improved access to public transit, enhanced bike lanes, and upgraded ADA-compliant pathways will make the site more welcoming to visitors of all ages and abilities.

Timeline and Funding

Construction is set to begin in July 2024, with a phased approach designed to keep parts of the site open to the public throughout the renovation. The project is expected to be completed by late 2027. Funding comes from a combination of public and private sources, including a $100 million allocation from the State of California, $75 million from Los Angeles County, and $65 million raised through philanthropic campaigns led by the NHMLAC Foundation.

Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of NHMLAC, emphasized the importance of the investment: “This transformation ensures that the La Brea Tar Pits remain a vital center for scientific discovery and public education for generations to approach. We’re not just updating a museum — we’re redefining how people connect with deep time and the story of life in Los Angeles.”

Why the La Brea Tar Pits Matter

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world’s most important urban fossil sites. Unlike most paleontological locations found in remote areas, La Brea offers scientists a unique opportunity to study Ice Age ecosystems in the context of a major metropolitan area. The asphalt seeps, which have been active for at least 50,000 years, preserved animals ranging from mammoths and mastodons to birds, insects, and plant material — providing a detailed snapshot of Southern California’s environment during the last glacial period.

Ongoing research at the site continues to yield new insights. In recent years, scientists have used fossilized pollen and rodent remains to reconstruct ancient climate patterns, while studies of dire wolf and saber-toothed cat bones have shed light on predator-prey dynamics and extinction causes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the La Brea Tar Pits remain open during construction?

Yes. NHMLAC plans to keep key areas of the site accessible to the public throughout the renovation, with temporary exhibits and viewing platforms allowing visitors to observe ongoing excavation work.

What will happen to the current Page Museum?

The existing Page Museum will be decommissioned and replaced by the new facility. Some of its exhibits and educational materials will be integrated into the redesigned space, while others may be archived or repurposed.

Are there opportunities for public involvement?

Yes. NHMLAC offers volunteer programs, citizen science initiatives, and public dig days (when available) that allow community members to participate in fossil screening and educational activities.

Is the $240 million budget typical for a museum renovation of this scale?

While ambitious, the budget aligns with recent major cultural institution upgrades in Los Angeles, such as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ($482 million) and the Broad Contemporary Art Museum expansion. The investment reflects the site’s scientific importance, visitor demand, and the complexity of integrating research, education, and landscape design in an active urban paleontological zone.

Key Takeaways

• The La Brea Tar Pits will undergo a $240 million campus transformation beginning July 2024.
• The project includes a new museum, upgraded research labs, outdoor exhibits, and sustainable landscape improvements.
• Construction will be phased to maintain public access during renovation.
• The redesign aims to enhance scientific research, improve visitor engagement, and strengthen community connections.

Looking Ahead

As the La Brea Tar Pits enter this new chapter, the transformation represents more than a facelift — it reflects a renewed commitment to scientific inquiry, environmental education, and urban stewardship. By blending cutting-edge research with accessible public storytelling, NHMLAC aims to ensure that one of Los Angeles’ most distinctive landmarks continues to inspire curiosity about the natural world — both past and present.