46 N. Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena
(626)449-2742

Preserving and celebrating a big part of Los Angeles’ diverse cultural heritage, the Pacific Asia Museum collects and displays relics and works of art from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands. The Museum’s permanent holdings include thousands of items, dating back several millennia. It also hosts changing exhibits throughout the year.

The Pacific Asia Museum owes its existence largely to the efforts of Miss Grace Nicholson, who was an avid collector of artifacts from the Far East. The Grace Nicholson Building, in which the Pacific Asia Museum is now housed, was originally home to Miss Nicholson and her collection. The Pacific Asia Museum was established in 1971. Recognized as a cultural and historic landmark, the Grace Nicholson Building has been catalogued in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Grace Nicholson Building was built in Imperial Chinese fashion, featuring concave roofs with upturned eaves and graceful ornamentation. It encloses a central courtyard with an authentic Chinese garden and a koi pond. Moving through the numerous rooms and galleries, visitors will find pieces that represent many aspects of life in the Pacific and Orient, from everyday life and religion to art and politics. Ancient Chinese carvings are on display, as are Japanese silk wallhangings, Buddhist statues, antique furniture, and pottery. The visiting exhibits that the Pacific Asia Museum hosts range from age old ceramics to 20th century prints and photographs.

Aside from the exhibition space, the Grace Nicholson Building also has several rooms for use as meeting places as well as a Research Library. The courtyard is also used for shows and presentations as well as for events.

Dedicated to the appreciation of Asian and Pacific cultures, the Pacific Asia Museum regularly holds a series of cultural and educational events on the third Saturday of the month. Called Family Free Day, these events are a day long celebration meant for both adults and children to enjoy. They include art and craft workshops, musical performances, dance classes, and other presentations highlighting the cultures represented in the Museum. The Museum also offers docent led tours, call for more information.

The Pacific Asia Museum is located in Pasadena, at 46 N. Los Robles Ave.

The Museum is 10am to 5pm, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Thursdays it is open until 8pm. The Museum Store opens from 12pm-5pm Wednesdays and Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays it opens from 11:30am to 5pm, and on Thursdays it operates from 12pm to 8pm. Parking is available at the adjacent lot, free of charge. Admission for adults is $5. For seniors and students the admission is $3, and for children under 12 admission is free.

For further information, please call the Pacific Asia Museum at (626)449-2742.

Inside tip: 
The Museum is open to the public free of charge on the third Saturday of the month.