Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Before the construction of Union Station, the area that’s now Chinatown was home to L.A.’s Little Italy—this museum has taken up the mantle of recognizing that forgotten past. The Olvera Street-adjacent museum takes up residence in the restored Italian Hall, once a focal point of the Italian-American community from its construction in 1908 until the early 1950s. The collection includes some 6,000 artifacts, photos and documents that examine the history and contributions of Italian Americans in L.A.—including Captain America’s shield, donated by directing duo the Russo Brothers.