The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Old Pasadena resembles a Chinese Imperial Palace with a serene courtyard and garden and was built in 1926. It was once the Grace Nicholson Building. Nicholson (1877-1948) was a curio shop owner who had the building designed to display her Southwestern Indian Basket collections.
Watch my quick video walk-through on YouTube
More about the building
Nicholson contracted the Pasadena architectural firm Marston, Van Pelt, and Maybury to design the building to resemble a Chinese Imperial Palace. Every detail was executed meticulously with materials imported from China. The structure received an award from the American Institute of Architects and became a Pasadena landmark.
The concept was to merge the Native American and Chinese cultures. Nicholson called it “Chia” which means “Sacred Vessel.” She displayed art from Native American and Asian cultures as well as other art. She called it “The Grace Nicholson Treasure House of Oriental Art.”
Nicholson gave the building to the city of Pasadena in 1943 but kept some private rooms until she passed away in 1948. She shared it with the Pasadena Art Museum which moved to Orange Grove and Colorado Blvd in 1970 becoming the Norton Simon Museum.
The Pacific Asia Museum was founded by the Pacific Culture Foundation and has been operating in the building since 1971 to display the art and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
The Chinese garden
As you walk through the portal of the Pacific Asia Museum you will enter a serene Chinese garden. It contains a koi pond with blooming lotus as well as plants and sculptures inspired by the classic gardens of China.
University partnership
The museum partnered with the University of Southern California in 2013. The purpose of the collaboration was to broaden community outreach and nurture intercultural awareness and appreciation for the art of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
The museum’s collection includes over 15,000 rare pieces of art some of which are more than 4,000 years old. Regions represented stretch from Persia to the South Pacific. Some exhibits are permanent while others are temporary displays.
The building is used for exhibitions, performances, lectures, classes, workshops, and festivals.
Museum store
A stroll through the museum usually takes less than an hour but ends at the museum gift shop. Here you will find Asian-inspired jewelry, clothing, ceramic, stunning greeting cards, cookbooks, and other lovely gifts. Objects are also available online, here.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
The museum is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm except on certain holidays. $10 for General Admission, $7 for Students with ID and seniors. Children 11 years old and younger are free. All visitors can enter for free on the second Sunday of the month.
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