About the History Department | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
One of the thousands of archival pictures from the History Department's Seaver Center for Western History Research, which tells the story of California and the West.
Our Exhibits Meet State Standards!
Our Lando Hall of California History Hall is just one place where teachers and chaperones can meet State Standards! To download easy-to-use field trip guides that are aligned with Standards, click here.
User login
About the History Department
The History Department is committed to preservation, research, and public access that enable people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests to understand and appreciate the history and culture of California and the West, with an emphasis on Southern California.
Researchers are encouraged to use the History collections for scholarly, personal, or commercial use according to the policies and procedures for each of the collection areas listed below.
Though the subject areas of these sections frequently overlap, the History Department collections are administered according to format:
- Seaver Center for Western History Research (two-dimensional, flat objects)
- Material Culture (three-dimensional objects)
- Museum Archives (two-dimensional, flat objects)
- Automotive Collection (automobiles and other vehicles, three dimensional)
- William S. Hart Collection (two- and three-dimensional items from the William S. Hart Park and Museum)