LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes: A Cultural Monument

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, commonly referred to as LA Plaza, is a significant cultural museum dedicated to showcasing the Mexican roots of Los Angeles and the role of Mexican culture in shaping the city’s landscape. It is surprising that such an important cultural center was only established in 2011, reflecting the rich history and contributions of the Mexican community in the area.

Strategically located in the historical heart of the city, LA Plaza covers the first two floors of the 1888 Vickrey-Brunswig Building and the 1883 Plaza House at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. The proximity to La Placita Church and the vibrant Mexican Market at Olvera Street enhances its appeal as a key tourist destination. Visitors can access the museum via the back entrance of the shorter building, away from the bustling street, and enjoy the outdoor stage and gardens within the campus.

It’s worth noting that even though the museum’s name is in Spanish and it focuses on the Mexican and Mexican American experiences, all the exhibits are predominantly presented in English.

The Exhibits

Visitors begin their journey on the first floor, which is organized chronologically. The exhibit LA Starts Here! features storyboards, artifacts, and multimedia displays that introduce 44 individuals recruited from the Spanish colonies of New Spain in 1781 to settle Los Angeles. The narratives of the original 11 families, identified through historical documents, highlight the multicultural roots that shaped the city.

Additionally, the Voces Vivas exhibit showcases a series of video clips featuring Mexican Americans from various walks of life displayed across multiple screens. Although watching the videos is worthwhile, the overlapping audio can be distracting, making it challenging to focus on individual stories or the accompanying exhibits.

Prominent figures such as actor Edward James Olmos, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and Tribal Chairperson Anthony Morales, whose ancestors were among the early settlers, are highlighted through this multimedia presentation. The exhibits also explore the impact of Mexican Americans in the arts, showcasing prominent athletes like tennis star Richard “Poncho” Gonzales and the legendary LA Dodger Fernando Valenzuela.

Adding Your Story

Interactive touchscreen mosaics provide an engaging way to explore stories, photos, and video clips of notable Mexican Americans. Visitors are encouraged to contribute to the ongoing narrative by adding their own stories or photos to the digital archive in various ways.

The LA Starts Here! video booth on the first floor allows visitors to record videos that are integrated directly into the mosaic. For those seeking a more comprehensive recording experience, appointments can be made at Centro Yo Soy located upstairs, where guests can record in-depth stories and receive copies.

If you possess historic or contemporary photos that you wish to contribute, joining LA Plaza’s Flickr pool at flickr.com/groups/laplazala is a perfect option. Additionally, stories can be shared through Twitter, where participants can respond to questions and include relevant hashtags to integrate their tweets into the ongoing narrative.

La Calle Principal/Main Street

On the upper level, the exhibit La Calle Principal brings visitors into a re-creation of a historic Main Street, offering various engaging shops for both children and adults. Guests can experience period clothing at the Main Street Department Store or capture moments in photographs at the photo studio. The Mercado Plaza section educates visitors about culinary origins stemming from a Japanese-owned Mexican market that used to exist on this street.

Moreover, Repositorio Musical Mexicano allows guests to enjoy the rich musical heritage of Mexican culture from the 1920s and 30s while discovering historical music technologies. Additionally, the Libraria Lozano showcases Spanish-language literature and news, providing insights into the literary contributions made by the Mexican community in Los Angeles. Calle Principal also features a Plaza, where speakers can share their opinions and engage in discussions about free speech limitations, emphasizing the importance of voice within the community.