Chinese American Museum

Symbolically housed in the oldest and last surviving structure of Los Angeles’ original Chinatown, the Chinese American Museum (CAM) is the first museum in Southern California dedicated to the Chinese American experience and history in Los Angeles. The museum occupies the historic 1890 Garnier Building within the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and is located at 425 N. Los Angeles St.  Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed on Mondays and selected holidays.

The mission of the Chinese American Museum (CAM) is to foster a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, America’s diverse heritage by researching, preserving, and sharing the history, rich cultural legacy, and continued contributions of Chinese Americans.

CAM collects/has objects related to:

    Immigration to the United States, immigration issues (past and present)
    Chinese and Chinese American organizations, many of which operated out of the Garnier Building
    Sun Wing Wo Herb Store, which operated out of the Garnier Building
    Chinese American participation in the U.S. Military
    Livelihood
    Children’s toys
    Clothing, costumes, and other textiles
    Work created by Chinese American Artists
    Historic Chinatown
    New Chinatown
    The San Gabriel Valley

The Chinese American Museum houses objects related to the history, livelihood, and experience of Chinese Americans, particularly in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, and the Garnier Building. The collection has grown to over 7,500 artifacts, documents, and photographs, spanning the late 19th century to the present.