| Who is George C. Page? |
| At age 16, philanthropist George C. Page came to California from Nebraska in 1917. His early fascination with the "tar pits" brought him to Rancho La Brea shortly after his arrival to see the fossils. To his disappointment, he found that the skeletons of Ice Age animals he sought were not on-site, but seven miles away at the Natural History Museum. During his long business career, George C. Page founded the Mission Pak company, which became a multi million dollar enterprise. He is a pioneer developer of industrial parks in the United States and has made major contributions to private institutions, such as Children's Hospital. His life-long interest in the fossils recovered from Rancho La Brea led to an offer to finance the construction of an on-site facility in 1973. Construction began in 1975 and the museum opened to the public in 1977. There is no relation to George Page of the PBS series Nature. |
| During what hours is the Page Museum open to the public? |
| The museum is open seven (7) day a week, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. This schedule is subject to change without notice. |
| What is the admission fee? |
| Adults, $7. 00, Seniors and Student with I. D., $4.50, children 5-12 years, $2.00, and children under 5 and Museum Members, free. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month. |
| Are tours available? |
| Pre-K through 12th grade school groups must call the Education Department (323-857-6305) to arrange a tour. Other groups of ten (10) or more may make arrangements with the Page Museum Group Sales Office (323-857-6300 x 107). Guided tours for the general public are led by volunteer staff on Tuesday through Sunday; the Hancock Park tour begins in the Museum lobby at 1:00 p.m. followed by the Page Museum tour at 2:00 p.m. All tours are subject to the availability of volunteer guides. |
| When did the Page Museum first open? |
| This facility was dedicated and opened on April 13, 1977, after a two year period of construction. The idea of an onsite museum dedicated to the history and prehistory of Rancho La Brea was first suggested by Captain G. Allan Hancock when he deeded the 23 acres of Hancock Park to Los Angeles County in 1916. |
| How much space is contained in the Page Museum? |
| The total area of the museum is 57,000 square feet, which includes a 9,000 square feet central atrium, 20,000 square feet dedicated to collection storage, laboratories and offices, and 28,000 square feet exhibit space. |
| Who designed the Page Museum? |
| The architectural design was created by Willis Fagan and Frank Thornton of the firm Thornton and Fagan, A. I. A., and Associates of Pasadena, California. |
| Is this museum a public or private institution? |
| The Page Museum is a satellite facility of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, which is governed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. As such, it is a public institution. Other members of the Natural History Museum family include the William S. Hart Park. The museum also includes a private non-profit entity, the Museum of Natural History Foundation, operated by a board of trustees. |
| What are the benefits of becoming a Museum Member? |
With an annual family membership of $60.00, Members receive unlimited free admission for two adults and four children to the Natural History
Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits and the William S. Hart Park and Museum.
Plus, Members receive our quarterly membership publication, the Naturalist,
a 10% discount on merchandise in all museum gift shops and special
discounts on museum educational programs. Join
today! |
| What kinds of exhibits are featured? |
| The Page Museum was built to house a heritage of over one million prehistoric specimens recovered from the asphalt deposits known as La Brea Tar Pits. On display in the museum are over 30 separate exhibits, among them reconstructed animal skeletons and robotic sculptures, a glass-walled working laboratory, some hands-on displays, photo murals on history, painted murals depicting past environments, and films. |
| Is the Museum wheelchair accessible? |
| All exhibits and theaters within the Museum building are accessible for wheelchairs. Wheelchairs may enter through the Staff Entrance, located on the north side of the building, adjacent to the handicapped spaces in the parking lot. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-serve basis and can be checked out at the Staff Entrance by leaving a driver's license or other form of valid identification. |
