Chinese American Museum is a small free museum located in Downtown Los Angeles. It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California, the first such museum in Southern California. It has two floors with different exhibits and artifacts. We were able to see the entire gallery floors in less than 30 minutes. Staff was nice. Overall, it's a decent museum. read more

Chinese American Museum - Welcome to CAM. - Museums Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The Chinese American museum is located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. A little bit after Olvera St. It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California. I was pleasantly surprised how much information was given here with three levels for you to explore and learn some history. Fun fact: this is the original Los Angeles Chinatown location before it was moved to Chinatown area it is today. I will forever be proud of my family and especially my parents for having the courage to move to the United States from Macau. Leaving somewhere that was so familiar to them for a better life for themselves and their future kids. Admission is free but donations are recommended, not required. Their hours are 10a-3p Tuesday-Sunday, closed Mondays. The museum took about an hour for us to see all three levels. read more

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Visiting the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles was a deeply moving experience, made even more special by having our church member, Greg Soo Hoo, curate a personal tour for us. Greg's family history is very much part of LA's Chinatown, and his stories brought the museum's exhibits to life. Learning that his great-grandfather was one of the Chinese Americans that helped build the U.S. railroads and that his uncle, the first Chinese American engineer to graduate from USC, played a key role in shaping modern Chinatown after its displacement from the Union Station area was nothing short of inspiring. The museum itself does a fantastic job of capturing the resilience and contributions of Chinese immigrants who faced immense challenges yet helped build the America we know today. Walking through the exhibits, I felt a personal connection, as my own great-grandfather also came to the U.S. in the mid-1800s to work on the railroads. This place is a treasure for anyone who wants to understand this history and pass it on to future generations. I hope the museum continues to preserve and share these vital stories for years to come. read more

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Free admission, no bathroom and the elevator is out of order. Some interesting and informative exhibits. The Anna May Wong special is going on till 2025. read more

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I learned so much local history, and that my family name was linked to many of the pioneers of Los Angeles Chinatown. I am thankful that they preserved history so I could know this. read more

How come I didn't find out about the Chinese American Museum till last year? It is nice to always discover something to do. The museum isn't located in Chinatown, but at the El Pueblo, across from Union Station, I took the subway so it was a short walk. It is opened Friday-Sunday from 10 am- 3 pm. Free, but you can donate if you can. So much to learn about the history of the Chinese community in Los Angeles. The building that hosts the museum is the only one left from the original Chinatown, erased to make room for Union Station. Unfortunately, the actual Chinatown is going through more of the same with too much gentrification and developping the area to an insane degree. I worry about losing it and its beautiful history and essence. As you'll learn visiting the museum (if you didn't know that), the Chinese immigrants didn't have it easy and it was hard for them to get accepted. Sad history, maybe we can learn from it. They have 2 floors with the origins and history of the community, with great obejcts and artifacts to show. Nice exhibits. Last floor- contemporary art exhibit, various fresca-s painting on the walls by Asian artists (2nd, 3rd generations, but not only). There are stairs, there's an elevator. The museum is small, you can visit in 1-2 hours. Pretty crowded when I visited, they also just finished a tour. Nice people working here, great staff. Tip-Restrooms - outside, in anotherpart of the buildings, not hard to find. Very nice visit, lots to learn and see, they also do events here. I am sure I will be back for one of them in the near future! read more

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Wonderful free museum detailing the history of Chinese Americans in the US and in LA. Lots of interactive displays, documents, and stories to help you understand how the early Chinese settled here. They have 3 floors with the top floor currently a boba exhibit with some modern art and displays. Definitely something worth visiting if in the area and have time. read more

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A small, sweet little spot highlighting the history of Chinese immigrants in LA. I learned a lot here, and it meant a lot to my father to see a museum about us. He also got a little depressed when he realized a lot of the stuff he grew up with and used on a daily basis is now in a museum... Aging parents aside, this museum is informative, well-curated, and best of all, it's free! read more

*September 2021 Visit: Mask Mandate for Indoor* My friends and I visited Chinatown this past Sunday and were looking at things to do in addition to visiting restaurants and bakeries. In my research I found this museum and was informed that they recently opened back up for the public! I didn't know what to expect, but added it to my itinerary as one of our activities. Upon entering you'll be greeted with one of staff members. There are three levels and admission is free (donations accepted). We started on the 3rd level, which was the temporary rotating exhibit and enjoyed the colorful artwork. Patrons then take the stairs (or elevator) to the 2nd/1st floor and can read about the history of the New Chinatown (there was a big fire which destroyed many businesses). For a complimentary showcase I enjoyed learning about Chinese immigrants and the changes over the years. It's definitely a cool activity to include on your to do list and there's AC! Bathrooms are located outside around the corner and of course knowledge is power! Hope you'll check it out! read more

Museum trip! Yes! This place is awesome and super informative. The only issue is parking. It's mainly just metered street or parking at nearby paid lots. We were able to find a lot for $12 flat rate which wasn't optimal but there weren't any other choices. Museum admission is free and the museum is 2 stories! It featured a bunch of notable history and I definitely learned so much. Everything was super informative and I loved the experience. Overall I definitely recommend checking this place out. It's free so why not go in and learn? read more

Small but free museum. Excellent place to visit to learn about the history of Chinese Americans. It was quite creative to represent the population levels with grains of rice. Surprising to see that there were famous Chinese actors many years ago read more

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Fortunate to check this out twice. Once for the Roots Movement and the other for the Don't Believe the Hype exhibit. Here was our recent experience on a Friday afternoon Parking: Street parking and parking lots (we paid $5). Art: I dig it, it's pretty limited but for the most part, a bang for your buck. A mix of knowledge, aesthetic, and engaging pieces. Overall: 5 stars. Maybe I'm a little biased...maybe not but I do dig this place. Surroundings near Olvera Street and Grand station makes it pretty cool. Parking wasn't an issue and the vibes were pleasant. Recommend this to anyone of all races that are looking into learning about Asian-American hxstory Tips: * Though it is generally free, donations are highly encouraged. * Follow their website for special events. read more

Chinese American Museum - We here! - Museums Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is a nice museum that provides an overview of the history of Chinese immigrants. I really like the recorded interviews. I wish the history Chinese American can be included in our US history . read more

Free admission! Donations accepted! My travel buddy, Yuri, and I had eaten lunch nearby and we had free parking at that restaurant. We were wandering around and thought we were in a culturally different area. It turns out that Olvera Street used to be the former Los Angeles Chinatown. That's why this Chinese museum seems to be in an unusual location. The history of the Chinese in LA is interesting to me because the immigrants basically came to work on the railway whereas the Chinese in Hawaii were drawn to the sugar cane plantations. Both American cities were symbols of hope for a better future. Money was sent back home to their families. Museums are valuable sources of information and education. I'm so glad we found this treasure! Thanks to Tim C. who first brought me here last year! read more

This little museum is definitely a hidden gem, and it's really kind of hidden. Located on the South end of Olvera plaza, near the old time fire station, and in between two brick buildings. There is usually an A-frame sign, with an arrow, saying Chinese museum, located near by, but if somebody forgets to put out that sign, nobody will ever know that there is a museum there. Place is kind of small but it is pack full of Chinese artifacts, and stories of the early Chinese settlements in Los Angeles. Old time, black and white photos dotted all over the museum. Located in Olvera street plaza, it's kind of a strange place to house the Chinese American museum, but actually, it is located close to the site of the first original Chinatown, started in the mid 1860's, only to be torn down to make room for Union Station. Place is ran by the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation, and it is free of charge. The girls watching over the museum is very nice and pleasant. A nice place to come to, if your visiting the area. read more

The Admission: FREE!! They do take donations. Their staff is very knowledgeable about the history. The Museum: 3 levels of museum. Lots of information and display. Very educational and informative about how Asian came to America. The museum is very close to Olvera Street. If you are the neighborhood shopping or dining, definitely come and check out this museum. It doesn't cost you anything but you for sure learn something new. read more

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This is a good historic and educational museum, it can be seen, toured and done within 30 minutes or so, and is a series of small rooms across 3 floors (there's handicapped access, stairs and elevators). Admission is FREE although this is run by volunteers, so it's highly recommended and encouraged that a minimum $3 donation per person would be greatly appreciated for support of this museum. There's so much information here and it's the tip of the iceberg (I actually earned a degree in Ethnic Studies with an emphasis on Asian American Studies from the prestigious School of Ethnic Studies at SFSU, where most of the radical uprisings among minority groups began and SFSU's program is stronger than UCB, Stanford, UCLA or USC - - So, with that being said, as somewhat of an authority on the subject matter, this is a great place to get educated and enlightened). I'd encourage sponsorship and donations to continue to maintain and grow this museum, as there's so much rich history of Chinese in America, not just in the Los Angeles So Cal region that can easily be presented and displayed along with historic artifacts. Parking can be easy if you want to pay, or are willing to walk to get here. read more

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Today I went with a friend to see a special exhibit they had here. Located on the other side of the plaza from Olvera Street, this museum is located in the original "Chinatown" area. The displays are interesting and the historical information is fascinating - so much I had no clue about. Through 2010 there is a special exhibit on the upper floors which pays tribute to Chinese Americans in motion pictures, from the silent era to the present. Enjoyed it! The museum is small and not well ventilated - it was very warm and stuffy on the upper floors. There is a suggested donation of $3. and no photography is allowed inside. read more

Chinese American Museum - exterior - Museums Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The placement of this museum is quite odd! We thought we were going to only experience Mexican culture when we went to Olvera Street. However, from the parking lot to Olvera Street, we came upon this museum. You'd think it would be in Chinatown, which isn't far. We ended up walking over there to eat lunch. This is a short note since we only walked in and saw the $3 Donation Box and decided to leave because we had just paid $8 to park. I don't know if it is just a suggested donation or a real donation you must pay to view. We did see a little bit of the walls in the entry. I believe there is a picture of figure skater Michelle Kwan on the wall to the right. Outside, they had beautiful Jacaranda trees (purply) and red lanterns. It looked so beautiful! If we come back to the area, I would really like to take a closer look at what they have. I'm sure it is interesting! read more

Chinese American Museum - Chinese American Historic Museum entrance - Museums Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Won a raffle prize from here and picked it up in March 2019, enjoyed reading the 3 books & nice sturdy tote bag! 2 of the books were signed by the authors!! I'm looking forward to returning in the future to visit the museum itself. Free admission but donations appreciated. read more

Very hidden from the street, it took a documentary film director to fill me in about this small historical museum, and I'm sure glad he did. There are a lot of worthy artifacts here. I wish the Chinese in Hollywood exhibit was larger, but it was still worth seeing. The current exhibit Chinese Caribbean art is cool. It is a bit of a maze, up and around stairs, but there are elevators if you need. Suggested donation is $3, very reasonable. read more

Interestingly the museum isn't in Chinatown. It's situated just off of historic Olvera St. near Union Station and City Hall. That area was actually home to LA's original Chinatown from the late 1800s to the early 1920s. Opium and gang wars contributed to the decline of Chinatown, and the development of Union Station and Olvera St. ultimately pushed the Chinese out of the area.  "New" Chinatown was developed in the 1930s, and it stands in the same part of North LA to this day. We parked in a small lot just in front of the postal annex on the corner of Alameda St. and Caesar Chavez Ave. This was actually the main mail processing center for Los Angeles from 1940 to 1989. The building is grand and historic by LA standards, and the people walking next to us wondered aloud what kind of church it was. After heading North past the start of Calle Olvera, you'll find the Chinese American museum. It's in a small building in the middle of a small, dead-end alley. If it wasn't for the small signs pointing the way, you'd never be able to find it. Inside was a very cool recreation of an herbal medicine shop, and a timeline showing how the area grew from an assemblage of a few Guang Dong immigrants to the sprawling community it is today. read more

It's a decent, small museum with some Chinese history. It was a good place to take my parents as they enjoyed it. Parking is generally tough if you're not trying to park in the lots. At least admission is free. read more

What in hell's bells is the Chinese American Museum doing at the end of Olvera Street? I've always thought this museum was in Chinatown... instead, it's in the heart of "old LA". Well apparently, old Chinatown got pushed out forcibly by a lobbyist who envisioned "this area" to be the future cultural Hispanic center to preserve the history of missions and founding families of Los Angeles. Love history and love museums for revealing tidbits like that. This museum is small but full. Had it been words, one could call it "concise". It contains and eloquently explains Chinese American History in Los Angeles. It contains pictures, videos, potteries, maps, and a quaint old gift shop. It is larger than it looks from the outside, it is free, and it is part of a great historical center so you have a one stop shop with Olvera Street, the Plaza, the shops, the restaurants, Pico House, Fire Museum... all within spitting distance! Well, not literally but you get the idea! read more

Housed in the historic Garnier Building off of Olvera Street, the Chinese American Museum offers an overview of the Chinese American community in Los Angeles in compact exhibits spread across three floors. Although it's been over a decade since the museum first opened its doors (in 2003), the museum still has the veneer of something new: it's clean, well-maintained, and well-curated. Those interested in Asian American history or vintage Los Angeles will find their short visits worthwhile, as admission is free! Although the museum is small, its exhibits provide a useful introduction to the history of the Chinese in Los Angeles. In particular, the photographs, documents, and other archival material highlight the shifting land use of the areas surrounding the museum, focusing on the destruction of Old Chinatown in favor of Union Station, the competing touristic spaces of New Chinatown and China City, and the population explosion east of LA in Monterey Park. The museum also currently features an exhibit on Hong Kong and the Chinese Diaspora. It's unfortunate that some of the unique features have (seemingly?) been discontinued, like the opportunity to mail a free postcard that will be delivered in several years - the length it might take correspondence to cross the Pacific in the nineteenth century. As previously mentioned, the museum is totally free. Although the website lists recommended donations for each visitor, nobody will pressure your into giving. While I appreciate the museum's economic accessibility, I do wonder whether visitors forget they're in a museum. My visit to the museum was interrupted by several groups of teenagers / young adults who were running through the museum, shouting, and behaving in a disrespectful manner to other guests. The one downside to the Chinese American Museum would be parking. There's no dedicated lot for the museum, so you'll need to either find street parking several blocks away or park in one of the lots adjacent to Olvera Street. If you don't plan to be in the area for very long, street parking is probably the better option; I recommend parking in Chinatown and walking several blocks to the museum. Meters, however, charge variable rates - anywhere from $.50/hour to $4/hour. Check out the Chinese American Museum if you're in the area; it's a nice diversion that only requires 30 minutes to an hour. read more

My first museum of my LA trip was Chinese American museum.It was located near Union Station.I saw a cop.She told me the location.I met a nice receptionist.She said"Admission Free"! I decided to give her 5 stars! This was a small museum.I learned history of Chinese Americans in LA.Poor and hardwroking Chinese came to LA in the 18th century.Their culture was very different from Americans and immigrants from Europe.Their hardship began in 1882.That was the year of infamous" Chinese Exclusion Act.(Please learn the act on Wikipedia).Lucky, after Civil Rights movements in the 1960's,the United States of America accepted diversity.I learned brief history of Chinese Americans.The pictures here are very educational.I saw precious exhibits.As far as I know, there is no Chinese American museum in Houston TX.We need it. When I left here, I was hungry.I asked the receptionist about Chinatown.She kindly told me the location of Chinatown.Thank you. This is a great museum.Hope many people visit here. read more

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Not as comprehensive or as large as the Japanese American Museum in nearby Little Tokyo and it is definitely obscure (just a few lines of Chinese lanterns hung between two brick buildings give it away) but the Chinese American Museum is quite a little gem of a museum. It's small but the exhibits are neat, informative and interactive. My only gripe is that a large portion of the museum focuses less on the entire history of Chinese Americans and more on the role Chinese Americans have played in the history of Hollywood (not surprising considering the location). I definitely would've liked to see more attention paid to the roles Chinese American played in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, the Gold Rush and the development of San Francisco as well as the roles of Chinese Americans today - don't get me wrong, they're all there but definitely not explored as in depth. However, if you've ever studied film or been a film buff, then the museum definitely will hold more interest to you as well. From Susie Wong to Mulan, this place definitely taught me a few things I didn't know about Hollywood's history. Personally, it's quite scary to think that it wasn't that too long ago when someone like me would be breaking the law for marrying someone not of my own "race" or even trying to own land in some parts of California. I'm glad there exists a place to remind the general public that civil rights are precious and inherently necessary to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The museum is free (although a donation is suggested) and since it's right next to Olvera Street and Union Station as well as within walking distance of Little Tokyo, you can definitely make a day out of exploring this museum and it's surrounding areas. read more

This is kinda hidden from the street, it's round the corner near the first firehouse. A small historical museum about Asian Immigrants to Los Angeles. It gives a good outline of the history of Asian immigrants. Some of the exhibits we still could recall seeing before during our childhood days lol There is 3 story exhibits takes about 30 mins. We stopped by before our walking tour. Admission is free but a donation is suggested. Photograph is allow but no flash. Yelp.com/list/yelp-100-challenge. read more

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Great small 3 story free museum. Lots of small displays, pictures and history. For a short span of history a lot has gone on. Chinese Exclusion Act 1882-1943, when Madam Chiang Kai-Shek sweet talked congress into dropping it. Then 1965 opened immigration to skilled professionals, leading to a huge wave esp from Taiwan. Currently there's a fun boba art gallery on 3rd floor read more

As the name suggests, this museum offers a glimpse into the history of Chinese Americans. Though it's located in a predominantly Mexican area, the surroundings used to be heavily Chinese. The museum isn't very large, and the displays show various cultural influences from different decades. There's a good amount of information to be gleaned, but there could probably be so much more. I assume that lack of funding and possibly interest has limited expansion. It's certainly worth visiting and contributing to the donation box! read more

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Always in the mood for culture and learning experiences. My wife and I checked out the museum. The artifacts were minimalist and tasteful. Learned a lot about the plight of the Chinese as they tried to become Californians and more importantly Americans. It seems that the same politics and tactics used against the Chinese are used today in modern politics. Definitely a good place to go for a history lesson. read more

It's a free museum adjacent to Olvera St and Union Station, near Main St. However they do accept a $3 donation if you choose to do so. No photography allowed, but I think they meant you. Anyways, this place is pretty cool. You get to learn a lot about Jackie Chan, Michelle Kwan, Michelle Yeow...nah, but on a serious note, you do get to learn a lot of Chinese-American history dating back since the 1840s. Also included were history of the gold rush, indentured servants status as well as Angel Island immigration holds. There is a lot of old and historic artifacts, documents, and pictures depicting Chinese-American life and culture for the past century and a half. Angel Island was their final destination place prior to becoming allowed into US soil. They were kept their for weeks and months, which included interrogations and medical exams to ensure that the Chinese would not pose any threat to the United States. The conditions were harsh, and they passed their time by writing poems on the walls of Angel Island. On the 2nd floor and mezzanine levels of the museum houses non-Chinese paintings and non-Chinese contemporary art. Also there is a film about some Asian lady trying to go to UCLA commuting at an average of about 1.5 hours each way. Pretty neat and small museum describing the life of Chinese-American. It's free, and you can definitely come here if you are within the Chinatown and Union Station area. read more

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Powerful exhibits beautifully laid out that tell the story of Chinese immigrants and their descendants in Southern California. Evocative displays make important points about racism and America's cultural growth over 150 years without preaching. Thought provoking and ultimately the story of perseverance and triumph, this little museum leaves a lasting impression. read more

Chinese American Museum - Chinese American museum - Museums Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We recently made a day of seeing a handful of the small museums in this area and the Chinese American Museum was definitely one of the nicer ones. It is a very small museum and I think could be cooler. The storytelling of the museum could be a bit more narrative and there could be more things for kids to do. The highlight for sure was the Herb Shop room! That was super cool and had things that kids could pull out and look at. The woman who worked there was very nice and informative. While I wouldn't make a day trip to the area just for this museum, this area is CERTAINLY worth a day trip! My toddler and I literally visited 6 museums! There are small museums all around here and almost all of them are free! Start your journey with a walk down Olvera Street! Catch the Avila Adobe, maybe have lunch or a snack. Then walk across the way and visit The Chinese American Museum, the Plaza Firehouse Museum and the new Gateway to Nature (which is a nature center full of things for kids to do). Then walk across the street to La Plaza De Culturas y Artes museum. Maybe poke your head into Our Lady of Angeles Church. I'm very Atheist, but this is historic as it's literally what named and started Los Angeles. Then continue down Main street and hit up the American Tropical Historical Museum and end with the Italian American Museum! There are a few other things in there too I think I missed. A great day! read more

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We came here to visit during our trip for BTS concert. Of all the free museums in El Pueblo de Los Angeles, this is by far the best and not saying it because I am Chinese. It actually has several exhibits and air conditioning too. The other ones do not have AC and exhibits are pretty limited. We really liked reading about how Chinatown came to existence to LA. Also, it is interesting to read how tourism saved this community. So, be sure to stop by here and learn some history on Chinese Americans. read more

Nice way to learn Chinese history in a Mexican area. Small museum that won't take too long to go through. Only takes about 30 minutes to go through the entire museum and gain some Chinese knowledge. read more

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This is a hidden gem. Didn't know this was even here. Found out about it on Social Media. Everyone should stop by for a quick visit. Has a lot of interesting stories. This is 3 stories of Chinese American history. Only wished this Museum was bigger! read more

This is one of several museums near Olvera Street. I spent about 45 minutes here. The museum is more spacious than it appears from outside. It has a beautiful courtyard, which featured a "LA" mural and has little lanterns strung from the top of the adjoining buildings. You'll want to spend a few minutes there taking in the calm just a few feet from a busy street. The museum has two floors and a good mix of interactive exhibits and artifacts. My favorite room was the Chinese herb room, which was essentially a little store. The docent was nice. He let me take to things myself first before approaching me, but he was knowledgeable when he did. No matter how much you think you know about history, there is always much still to be learned - and that I did. Admission is free. Hope for metered parking but bring cash in the event you need to park at a nearby lot. read more

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Guess what? Our "modest little" Chinese American Museum stands out among the crowd of Chinese American museums in all of America! What makes me say that? Well, to some, Los Angeles' Chinese American Museum is not very awe inspiring. However, they fail to realize one very key element that helps this "modest little" museum stand out among all the other Chinese American museums in America. Just ask yourself one question. Why do you think they chose such a small space for a museum that represents the largest population of Chinese Americans within one county in all of America? The actual location is significant to Chinese American history in the US of A! Immediately upon completion in the late 1800's the Garnier building in which the museum is now housed was leased to members of the local Chinese community. Back in its heydey it was considered a Chinese American "city hall" of sorts. The building housed Chinese businesses and schools among other things. Wait though, it gets better - much better. The building is actually the oldest and largest structure with Chinese historical significance to house an important museum. The original Chinatown was destroyed by the earthquake in San Francisco in 1906! Take that Frisco! Indeed, the planners of this museum knew what they were doing! The museum is comprised of three floors of exhibition space. There is a real cool timeline which starts around the 1840's. There is a great deal on display of the Chinese role in Hollywood which is significant to the idiosyncrasies of our great city. Hollywood with all its defects stands out on our planet so it's good that they chose an emphasis on Hollywood related objects in the museum. Hollywood may not provide an accurate portrayal of Chinese Americans for the most part but it is still important to see how the portrayal and influence of Chinese Americans has changed in Hollywood. The museum does include more recent Hollywood portrayals of Chinese culture and the role of certain personalities and directors as well. Space limitations are likely the reason we do not see as much as we would like regarding the role of Chinese Americans in things such as the construction of Californian railroads. There is however, a real cool reconstruction of an old drug store complete with the things you would find in such a place long ago I attended one of the Lantern Festivals which are held during the Chinese New Year and checked out the museum on the same day. My suggestion is to do both things at once. I say this to all of those that complain about paying so much for parking to see such a small museum. In any case, there are other things to see in the immediate area. We are lucky to have so many things to see and do in an old historical area here in Los Angeles. Best of all it's a truly multicultural area. There are elements of Chinese, Mexican and Italian history in Olvera Plaza and not far away is Little Tokyo. I say this to anyone that complains about our supposed lack of landmarks and history. Do yourself a favor and come to check out this GREAT little museum. It packs more of a punch than you would expect! read more

"What's a Chinese museum doing by Olvera Street? Shouldn't it be in.. you know, Chinatown... over there?" Seems to be what I hear every time I'm near the place. Tourists and lifelong Angelenos alike are confused. Wanna know why it's there? Because in pre-Civil War California, THAT'S where L.A.'s Chinatown was located, and by the turn of the twentieth century it was huge. In the 1930s the businesses were moved to their current location, where Little Italy once was, years after L.A. decided to knock down what remained of it to make way for Union Station. Furthermore since San Francisco's Chinatown was largely destroyed during the 1906 quake, the Garnier Building, which houses the museum, is the "oldest and most significant Chinese building associated with the Chinese community in any of the State's metropolitan areas," the National Park Service writes. The more you knoooooow. It's why there are Chinese lantern festivals in the Plaza, and why sometimes there will be silver dragons charging around Olvera Street's stalls during special events. Anyway, the museum isn't even 10 years old yet, it's a pay-what-you-will museum, and it's pretty tiny. The most interesting thing there is the recreation of the herbal shop that was there from 1891 through 1948, the Sun Wing Wo General Store. Historically the shop functioned as gathering place for the community. I haven't made it to one of his appearances, but supposedly every second Wednesday of the month they have this man come in who worked in the shop that's been recreated in the museum when he came to the U.S. read more