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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) — For many families, learning about their history starts with having a place to see it, experience it and celebrate it.
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That’s part of the 15-year mission behind LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a museum in Downtown Los Angeles dedicated to highlighting Latino history and the contributions Latinos have made to LA and California.
“Our history has not been told in modern day schooling,” said Tracy M. Serrano-Ruiz, the museum’s interim CEO.
Saturday, the museum will celebrate its quinceañera with a reception and dinner.
The museum was created out of a desire to make space for Latino visibility, a vision proposed by then-Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina and Congressman Esteban Edward Torres.
Serrano-Ruiz said the museum takes pride in telling those stories and creating a space where visitors can explore Latino history and culture.
A visit to LA Plaza can also be part of a day exploring DTLA.
Visitors can take the Metro, explore El Pueblo and Olvera Street, then head across the street to the museum, where two floors of galleries offer another way to experience the area’s history.
Blanca Aguirre, a member of LA Plaza’s board of directors, said the museum is also where she can celebrate her own heritage with her children.
Aguirre said with the museum’s 15th anniversary Saturday, LA Plaza feels like its entering “into this new phase of womanhood” as it celebrates its past and future.
Now a mom, she brings her 8-year-old and toddler to the museum so they can experience that heritage for themselves.
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“Like, this is where mommy’s heritage come from, and that’s part of you,” Aguirre said.
Aguirre said she especially appreciates that children can interact with the museum’s exhibitions and participate in art-making activities.
She said that hands-on experience is one of the reasons LA Plaza has become a second home for her family.
“Not a lot of museums, honestly, do allow that,” Aguirre said. “But with LA Plaza, it’s… it’s a second home.”
Now, LA Plaza is also preparing to welcome families for its Día de los Muertos Family Day on Oct. 25.
The free event will feature art workshops, galleries and live music, giving families another opportunity to experience the museum and celebrate the culture and traditions connected to Día de los Muertos.
Admission to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is free. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4:45 p.m.
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For more information and to plan a visit, go to LAPCA.org.
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