Dinosaurs, Politics and History in the Mix

By Patt Diroll

May 20, 2001 12 AM PT

The newly refurbished California History Hall at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County was unveiled as more than 600 supporters celebrated at the museum’s annual Dinosaur Ball. Held against the backdrop of the museum’s trademark Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops, the event last weekend drew a gaggle of politicos and museum backers.

Lt. Gov. Cruz M. Bustamante, a first-generation Californian and the first Latino elected to statewide office since Pio Pico more than 120 years ago, was the evening’s honoree. “I’m California’s 45th lieutenant governor,” he noted. “Ten of my predecessors became governor. I thought that was a good sign, until I found out that two went to prison and one was shot in a duel. Either I have a lot to look forward to . . . or a lot to watch out for!”

For the record:

12:00 a.m. June 22, 2001 FOR THE RECORD
Los Angeles Times Friday June 22, 2001 Home Edition Part A Part A Page 2 A2 Desk 2 inches; 62 words Type of Material: Correction
Election history--An item in Southern California Living on May 20 incorrectly described Pio Pico as the first Latino elected to statewide office in California. Pico was the last Mexican governor of Alta California, appointed briefly in 1832 and again from 1845 to 1846. Romualdo Pacheco, born in Santa Barbara, was the first Latino elected to statewide office, winning the post of lieutenant governor in 1871 and going on to serve as governor.

Among those who dropped in for a few minutes to work the room: both L.A. mayoral contenders, James Hahn and Antonio Villaraigosa.

The effort to revitalize California Hall was headed by Tani Sackler Krouse, a former museum docent and fourth-grade teacher, and Robert Swartz, president of the museum’s Alliance. Guests at the ball were invited to step through the hall’s new adobe, hacienda-style entrance to view the face lift for the first time.

Inside, 19 dioramas depicting historic scenes in California have been refurbished. And, thanks to a donation by museum trustee Lynn Brengel and her husband, Douglas Brengel, the collection of 21 California mission paintings by Edwin Deakin were restored and reframed.

In keeping with the evening’s theme, “Celebracion de California,” a tent in the museum gardens was transformed into an early California fiesta scene. On the tables, covered in carmine and gold brocade, wire epergnes held protea, hydrangea, roses, avocados and red chile peppers.

Richard C. Dunsay, Anita Artstein-Dunsay, Julio Ramirez Jr. and Annette Castro co-chaired the ball, which raised more than $550,000 for the museum.