Fact Sheet - Chinese American Museum

Museum Fact Sheet

Site Location

423-425 North Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, California

Contact Information

Background

The Chinese American Museum (CAM) is the first such museum in Southern California dedicated to the Chinese American experience and history in this region.

The 7,200 square foot museum site stands inside El Pueblo Monument, a 44-acre public park located at the City's "birthplace" in downtown Los Angeles. CAM will be housed inside the oldest surviving Chinese buildings located in the City, namely the Garnier Building (423 North Los Angeles Street) and an adjacent structure (425 North Los Angeles Street). Erected exclusively for Chinese use in the 1890s, these multi-story brick structures had housed shops, schools, temples, churches, and businesses as well as dances and theatrical performances during their heyday between the 1890s and 1940s. Because the Garnier Building was once regarded as the unofficial "city hall" of Los Angeles' Chinese community, it is now a perfect cultural symbol for housing an institution dedicated to the Chinese American experience.

When the Museum opens, visitors to El Pueblo Monument will have the opportunity to see a more inclusive picture of America in this "birthplace" of Los Angeles. They will be able to see in El Pueblo's cluster of 24 historic buildings, not only a restored Chinese American presence, but also a more ethnically diverse and accurate Southern California heritage. The Museum's prime location among so many other historic buildings will allow children and families to learn about the Chinese American experience in the context of a larger multicultural mosaic of people who have contributed toward the development of Los Angeles and Southern California.

History

The Museum began as a discussion between El Pueblo and the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. In October 1984, a museum committee formed to lay the foundation and plan for the Garnier Building's preservation. Due to the strong efforts of Dr. Munson Kwok and Mr. Howard Quon, a founding donors program was established in December 1985. The formation of the Friends of the Chinese American Museum occurred in November 1987 under the leadership of charter president Dr. Dan Louie, Jr. For the curious, a more detailed history of the museum is available.

Also available, is the Chinese version of the establishment of the Chinese American Museum.

Current Exhibits

Please come visit and take a look!

Traveling Exhibits

Since 1992, the Friends of the Chinese American Museum and El Pueblo have developed seven traveling exhibits which were shown in many sites. Key CAMLA exhibits will include a historic timeline of the Southern California Chinese population, a recreation of a mercantile store's interior and aspects of family life and economic opportunities in Los Angeles Old Chinatown during its first century. An herbalist store and Chinese objects will also be available for the public's view. A three-dimensional scale model of Old Chinatown is in the making. A list of past exhibits is available.

Museum Collection

The CAMLA major holdings include the CALTRANS El Pueblo Archaeological Collection, the Sam Sing Market Collection, the Hing Yuen Hong Chinese Herb Store Collection, the Gee Ning Tong Collection and the Chinese Store papers. Sample artifacts in other collections consist of musical instruments, kitchen utensils, jewelry boxes, era clothing, period furniture, store furnishings and decorations and Chinese temple trappings.

Do you have any family collections you would like to share? The Chinese American Museum is requesting old papers, photographs and artifacts reflecting the Chinese American experience for its exhibits. The artifacts curator will see that all donations receive the utmost care. For more information, please contact us.

Funding

Primary contributors are the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, Friends of the Chinese American Museum, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, the Getty Trust, the El Pueblo Association, the Center for Chinese Medicine, and hundreds of other donors.

Community contributions have helped FCAM come this far in establishing the Chinese American Museum, however, continued support is still needed to develop its permanent facilities, exhibitions, and educational programs. Your donations will accelerate CAM's progress and help the Museum achieve a successful opening. Please contact us at 213-626-5240 or office@camla.org to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

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