Donor Stories

From Volunteer to Legacy: Anne Baker-Hayes and Richard Hayes

A shared passion for science, nature, history, and discovery led Anne Baker-Hayes and Richard Hayes to the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County in 2015. Almost immediately after being captivated by the richness of our collections, Anne began to volunteer in various departments—including Living Collections and the La Brea Tar Pits Fossil Lab. Her commitment and passion inspired Richard, who recognized the importance of supporting the Museum’s mission and decided to join her in contributing financially.

Their engagement grew with their membership: starting as individual members, they quickly upgraded to Curator’s Circle Fellows in 2022. That same year they made a generous gift to the NHM Commons Campaign for the installation of Gnatalie, our 70-foot green sauropod dinosaur, exemplifying their dedication to fostering discovery and community engagement in this free space open to the public.

Anne and Richard’s commitment now extends to the Hildegarde Howard Society with a planned gift. Anne and Richard reflect, “We encourage everyone to get involved, whether through volunteering or giving. Any of it can be the start of a legacy that lasts. Through our support, we take pride in knowing we’ve made sure future generations can feel the same sense of wonder and inspiration that we’ve had.”

Their story is a powerful reminder that every level of engagement, from volunteering to planned giving, matters. Through their generosity and commitment, Anne and Richard help secure NHMLAC’s role as a place where science, discovery, and community converge, now and in the future.