“It is going to be a year of auspicious opportunities, and dragon-sized blessings for us all!”

— Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s prediction for this Year of the Dragon

Celebrating the Past & Present this Chinese New Year

by SweisKloss
February 15, 2024

In honor of the Chinese New Year, we are celebrating the oldest surviving Chinese building in Southern California, Los Angeles’ Chinese American Museum (CAM). It is the first such museum in the region dedicated to the Chinese American experience, history, and culture.

After 20 years of community and civic planning and support, the 7,200-square foot CAM opened its doors on December 18, 2003. The museum literally and figuratively links LA’s Chinese American’s past and present. “The Garnier building is the last of the oldest buildings of ‘Old Chinatown” that was exclusively and continuously inhabited by Chinese immigrants since it was constructed” (Advisory Council on Historical Preservation “Los Angeles – Chinatown, California).

Housed in the Garnier Building, the CAM is in LA’s original, or Old, Chinatown. Built by Philippe Garnier in 1890, the brick building was leased to Chinese American merchants and, according to the CAM website, housed shops, temples, churches, and businesses during its heyday between the 1890s and 1940s. The building evolved into a thriving cultural mecca hosting social functions, dances and theatrical performances and was the center of the community. Over time, the building became an unofficial “city hall”.

Architecturally, the building was divided according to Chinese tradition. “The upper floors… are closer to heaven and to the gods, and thus more appropriate for housing temples, school, or organizations that exert authority.” The upper floor organizations helped resolve business disputes, personal disagreements, care for the elderly and act as mediators between the community and Anglo Los Angeles, according to The Real Los Angeles Tours. Merchants comprised the mezzanine and ground level. Organizations such The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and The Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance (who combatted discrimination and were active in registering Chinese Americans to vote), were a few of the associations that called this building home and are still active today.

In the 1930’s, the City of Los Angeles demolished most of the buildings in Old Chinatown to construct Union Station. Luckily, the Garnier Building was left intact. However, as the evicted residents established a new Chinatown, the old neighborhood languished and the building fell into neglect and in the 1950’s, the south wing was demolished to make way for the Hollywood/Santa Ana Freeway.

The CAM revitalized the Garnier Building to make it it’s home. The mission of the CAM is “to foster a deeper understanding of, and appreciation of, America’s diverse heritage by researching, preserving, and sharing the history, rich cultural legacy, and continued contributions of Chinese Americans.” Chinese American families and business have donated heirlooms and possessions to the museum. Artifacts range from antique furniture and herbal store furnishings to traditional wedding gowns and children’s toys. They have also preserved aging photographs and letters and recorded elderly Chinese Americans sharing their personal experiences and memories.

The Garnier Building is now part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, which celebrates the multi-cultural heritage of LA and Southern California, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.