Stories

Welcome to Stories, a place to explore—and be inspired by—the wonder of our natural and cultural worlds.

The Dire Wolf: An Ice Age Angeleno
What’s the backstory of dire wolves, the most-found mammal at La Brea Tar Pits? Here are five juicy morsels about this extinct species that once howled through the Ice Age.
On View: A Rare Australian Opal in NHM’s Gem and Mineral Hall
Meet a new dazzling black opal and discover the science behind the sparkle with Dr. Aaron Celestian
The Newly Described Andean Storm-Petrel Is Just Our Type (Specimen)
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Ornithology's type cabinet and meet some of the specimens used to describe new bird species
Street Names of Los Angeles
You may ride, drive, bike, run and walk your L.A. streets, but do you know the history behind L.A. street names?
Special Species
This artists’ team—including from left to right, RFX1 (Jason Chang), Joel Fernando, and Yesenia Prieto—created a site-specific installation for a new exhibition.
A Peculiar Garden
The artist, Saul Becker, created an apocalyptic, yet hauntingly beautiful landscape of glass, crystal, and metal that draws attention to ways humans have altered the habitats around us.
The Dino Artist
Stephanie Abramowicz, illustrator in our Dinosaur Institute, has brought Gnatalie, the Green Dino, into full color. The paleoartist who also helped dig up the long-necked dinosaur—soon to be on display in the Museum’s new wing, NHM Commons—talks about how she uses scientific evidence to paint the prehistoric.
Martha Garcia, Behind-the-Scenes Queen
Celebrating 52 years of Excellence and Service to L.A. County
History, Uncensored
Uncovering a history of censorship that threatened two of L.A.'s most iconic murals