When we reached out to our friends in LA and said we wanted to visit, they immediately responded with, “Well, we’ll have to go to the new Academy Museum of Motion Picture  It is fantastic.”

They were right.  The new museum paying homage to the industry that fuels LA, had just opened and it is a Wow.  I do think it was weird that LA hadn’t had a museum for the movie making world, when you think they’ve been around, forever, like since the 1920s.  For a variety of reasons it didn’t. 

  This is worth the wait.  

A few facts:   The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened Sept. 2021 with a big splashy party sponsored by Vogue Magazine.  It is housed in an old department store, The 1939 May Company, Wilshire Building.

 But the store was gutted and additions made and it is a fabulous reuse. Renzo Piano’s 33,000 square foot theater —a huge dome with an expansive pavilion overlooking the city was added. It looks like a dramatic spot for parties, concerts and all kinds of events.  I’ll bet it is stunning at night.  

You  can spend hours at the museum…..so much to see and absorb in this temple to the cinema.  I particularly like props from movies I remember and relate to like Rosebud sled and the Ruby slippers . 

Add to your “to see” list in LA

I’m not going to say much more other than put the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on your list  if you get near LA.  It’s a wonderful alternative to the “icky” Walk of Fame.  

Petersen Automobile Museum.

In the same area, called Museum Mile I enjoyed the Peterson  Automobile  Museum.  I searched it out because of tips from an architectural photographer, Angie Mcmonigal who does terrific architectural photo tours.    But you can’t miss it.  The bold red exterior screams to be noticed.  

Chicago Architectural tour with Angie. 

The exhibits were terrific.  It’s like a history of the 20th century.  I’m not much of a car buff, but the walk down memory lane in some cases and “oh my gosh, when was this built….and why?” popped into my head frequently.

   This museum never bored me.  Not one bit.  I’m frankly surprised it isn’t located in or near Detroit.  I’d probably have a membership. 

The cars are beautifully displayed.  I enjoyed the reflections and the  opportunities for abstractions. 

We ran out of time and didn’t get to see the cars of the future.  This was disappointing, but I’ll get there the next time. I’d go again.