Holocaust Museum LA is the first survivor-founded and oldest Holocaust museum in the United States. Its genesis dates to the 1960s, when a group of survivors met and discovered that each of them had a photograph, document, or personal item from before the war. They decided that these artifacts needed a permanent home where they could be displayed safely and in perpetuity. They also wanted a place to memorialize their loved ones who perished and help to educate the public so that no one would ever forget.
 
Founded in 1961, Holocaust Museum LA is the only cultural institution in Los Angeles with a sole focus on the horrific impact and the enormity of the Holocaust that is free for students. Through customized tours, artifact-rich exhibitions, creative educational programs, and intergenerational conversations with survivors, the Museum teaches students and visitors to think critically about the lessons of the Holocaust and its social relevance today. Museum admission is always free for students from anywhere across the globe.
 
On October 14, 2010, Holocaust Museum LA opened the doors to its permanent home in Pan Pacific Park. The Museum building, designed by acclaimed architect Hagy Belzberg, has received many architectural awards, including LEED Gold Certification, AIA Awards for Architecture and Interior Architecture, the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission Design Honor Award and the Green Building Design Award.