Chinese American Museum

The Chinese American Museum (Chinese: 華美 博物館 ; abbreviated CAM ) is a museum located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument . It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California , the first such museum in Southern California . It presents exhibits of fine art by Chinese American artists as well as historical exhibits. Planning for the museum began in October 1984, with the grand opening taking place on December 18, 2003. The museum is housed in the Garnier Building , the oldest surviving Chinese building in Southern California . The original Los Angeles Chinatown was located here before it was moved to New Chinatown for the construction of Los Angeles Union Station . It is funded by the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, Friends of the Chinese American Museum, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California , the Getty Foundation , the El Pueblo Association, the Center for Chinese Medicine, and hundreds of other donors.