Museum of Jurassic Technology – Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What’s this place all about? The vibe of The Museum of Jurassic Technology hits you the moment you pass through the ticket room: a labyrinth of dark and cramped exhibits where you may even have to turn your body as someone squeezes by you to get to the next one. Exhibits begin and end without warning, and they’re sometimes confusing as to what they’re even about. This place is legendary for in-the-know Angelenos and tourists alike who love off-the-beaten-path quirk. How was the permanent collection? There are curious and fascinating exhibits; for instance, “Rotten Luck: The Decaying Dice of Ricky Jay,” featuring the late magician Ricky Jay’s collected old dice that had, because they were made of celluloid, suddenly (and with great metaphorical significance) decomposed at some point. Or "Tell the Bees: Belief, Knowledge and Hypersymbolic Cognition: An Exhibit of Pre-Scientific Cures and Remedies," with vitrines filled with representations of folk remedies from around the world. Upstairs, there’s a room dedicated to the string game of Cat’s Cradle, and a gallery of paintings featuring dog cosmonauts from the Soviet Space Program. On the roof, above a Georgian-style tea room, you might even meet the museum’s founder David Hildebrand Wilson—he's been known to sit among the doves in the “secret” rooftop garden. What did you make of the crowd? Each exhibit takes a bit of time, so you'll be among folks keen to pay attention. Although kids are allowed, adults will probably enjoy this more. How were the facilities? Though the museum is technically wheelchair accessible, the cramped hallways, low lights, and stairs make the space not-always-friendly to those with limited mobility. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The gift shop is well done, with books relating to the exhibits and knickknacks. Given the museum’s insider-y feel, a T-shirt has instant cool-cred. Is the café worth a stop? It’s hard to describe the Tula Tea Room as a museum café, but it’s the closest thing they’ve got to one. Located on the second floor, the tearoom is a Georgian-style sitting area where Georgian black tea and sweet biscuits are served—for free. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? This museum is small, with only about a dozen fully-fleshed out exhibits, so it’s possible to see everything in an hour. Some of the exhibits require full attention for an extended period. For those who just want some quick hits, check out “Tell the Bees,” about global folk remedies; “Garden of Eden on Wheels: Collections from Los Angeles Area Mobile Home Parks,” where miniature dioramas of mobile homes in weird places are built into the walls; and “The Eye of the Needle: The Unique World of Microminiatures of Hagop Sandaldjian,” featuring sculptures viewable only through microscopes." - Maxwell Williams
