LOS ANGELES, CA.- The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) held its inaugural Night of Wonder gala on Wednesday, October 15, raising more than $1.6 million. Night of Wonder saw donors, celebrities, and other VIPs come together to support the Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits and their communities.

“Night of Wonder celebrates and supports the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County’s commitment to science, nature, and community,” said Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. “The generous support we received will fuel our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation, including through our STEM and STEAM Pathways programs, our world-class research, community science and urban biodiversity initiatives, and inspiring museum experiences at both NHM and La Brea Tar Pits.”

In addition to donors, trustees, and NHMLAC leadership, the Night of Wonder guest list included Senator Ben Allen, Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the Second supervisorial district of Los Angeles County, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, author Jared Diamond, director McG, Real Housewife and TV personality, Heather and Terry Dubrow, actress Becki Newton, actor Christopher Diamantopoulos, actress Danielle Panabaker, sportscaster Taylor Rooks, TV personality Taylor Hale, and others. Emceed by Anthony Anderson, the evening featured an elegant dinner, signature cocktails, and a robust paddle raise bringing in crucial support.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was honored at the event. The week before the gala, she visited the museum for a private donor event at La Brea Tar Pits, where she spent time with students from the Girls Academic Leadership Academy at Project 23, learning hands-on about how the Ice Age, climate change, and fire all impacted the LA basin 12,000 years ago. She shared her support for the Museums via a special video message to those in attendance at the gala, championing NHM’s mission to inspire wonder and a sense of discovery for our natural and cultural worlds.

“Our dazzling new gala reflects the awe-inspiring diversity and beauty of the Natural History Museums' collections, groundbreaking programs, and especially the Museum's enduring commitment to protect and enhance urban nature,” said Megan McGowan Epstein, President of the Board of Trustees of the Natural History Museums. “I am inspired by the generosity that supports NHM's work to conserve and document the rich biodiversity of our urban landscape. We are so grateful to our supporters, including Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose passion for education and community empowerment continues to inspire us.”

McGowan Epstein co-chaired the event together with Alan Epstein, Rick Genow, and Mary Fulginiti-Genow. Their leadership and community connections played a key role in the event.

Celebrating the Museums’ impact and the donors’ vital role in supporting community connection to the natural world, the immersive Night of Wonder program wove the magic of L.A.’s landscape throughout the event, raising awareness of the impact of educational and scientific work being done at the Museums.

Produced by My Beautiful City, the event evoked an enchanted nocturnal garden infused with distinctively L.A. elements. The evening featured different experiences, including live music, throughout NHM’s most iconic spaces, exploring the recently opened NHM Commons, highlighting the Judith Perlstein Welcome Center and Commons Theater, with dinner served in Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Oschin and Family Hall of African Mammals and the North American Mammal Hall, and a dance party in the Grand Foyer among the Dueling Dinos to end the evening.