When entering the Natural History Museum, Angelenos should be warned that it will not be a staff member who will greet them first. Instead, it’ll be a 75-foot green dinosaur towering over them — the only green dinosaur skeleton in the entire country, in fact.   

On Sunday, the National History Museum will open NHM Commons, its newest wing. The community hub features Gnatalie, a 70-foot sauropod dinosaur skeleton, a mural titled “L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective,” a South LA cafe and more free exhibits.

“NHM Commons is the manifestation of our ongoing philosophy of partnering with and listening to the community to become a more outward-facing, community-driven institution,” said Lori Bettison-Varga, the president and director of the Natural History Museums of L.A. County. “It is important for us to intentionally connect NHM Commons with the South L.A. community. This includes free access to [the new exhibits].” 

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Bettison-Varga said the wing was designed with the insights and stories of local communities in mind to foster community engagement. In particular, she said the community plaza in front of the wing was designed with the help of their Native American Advisory Council to better represent the first Angelenos in their museum space. 

Even the placement of the rocks that line the community plaza was intended to connect back to the first Angelenos. Milena Acosta, associate director of NHM’s community engagement, said Native Americans use bedrock mortars to grind their food. 

The plaza is meant to act as a microcosm of both southern L.A. and the nearby hills, said Mia Lehrer, NHM’s landscape architect. The elevated ground mimics the feeling of standing on L.A. hills, while the oak trees around the garden give a teaser for the vegetation exhibited within the museum. Lila Higgins, senior manager of NHM’s community science department, said the garden space is vital in inviting scientists within the community to explore and discover biodiversity within the museum and broader southern L.A. 

To further connect with the greater L.A. community, the wing also offers an indoor-outdoor experience. Glass walls line the front of the wing, allowing guests standing outside to have a view of the newest exhibits. Additionally, visitors looking outward will be greeted by the sight of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Exposition Park. 

“Transparency, equity, inclusion in a way, was the blueprint for this building,” said Frederick Fisher, architect of NHM Commons. “All we had to do was figure out how to build it out of glass and metal and concrete and create what we hope is a simple solution for a complex problem, that when you come to this building, you instantly understand, ‘I’m included.’” 

The NHM has been working with their community partners for the past seven years to develop their new programming, Bettison-Varga said. 

Gnatalie’s creation was the result of a “global” network of researchers, community members and volunteers coming together to help discover and excavate the fossil, Chris Wiesbart, associate vice president of exhibitions, said. Because of such a community, the museum now houses the most complete dinosaur skeleton on the West Coast and the only skeleton with a unique green hue. 

The “L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective” mural also focuses on L.A.’s diverse history, according to artist Barbara Carrasco. She said the mural was actually the product of numerous artists, from professional painters to 17 kids with formal artistic training. 

“If it’s a public work of art, you need to have the public involved,” Carrasco said.  

In addition to these permanent exhibits, the NHM has a photo exhibit titled “Collective Knowledge from Our Changing World” that takes a deeper look at the NHM’s objects and specimens and a community science exhibit titled “Doing Science Better, Together,” that highlights scientific discoveries from everyday Angelenos. NHM expects to further add to these two exhibits in the future. 

The commons also houses a theater, wherein visitors can engage with NHM’s community through live entertainment and interactive programs. Most notably, Laurel Robinson, the vice president of the learning and engagement department, said visitors can look forward to puppet shows on prehistoric mammals and a 3D T. rex film. 

Before leaving the museum, visitors needing a pick-me-up can pass by the South LA cafe on their way out. The cafe will be showcasing the Gnatalie matcha latte. 

“We’re really hoping to invite the local community and people who are using public transportation, or local residents,” said Celia Ward-Wallace, the co-founder of South LA Cafe. “We’re really hoping to bring the South L.A. community more into the museum and be that calling card and that heartbeat that brings people in and makes them feel welcome here.”

Acosta said the wing, overall, is supposed to reflect the L.A. community with the programs they offer. 

“We want to build a museum that feels like it’s their museum,” Acosta said.