LA History Collaborative

Life, Liberty, and Los Angeles
2026-05-30 - 2027-01-03
The Autry Museum of the American West
A new exhibition launching in May of 2026.

"American Landmarks: The Declaration" at the Huntington
2026-07-08
Part of a series of events under the LA2026 Humanities Discussions, presented by the Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI) at USC.

The American Landmarks series explores historical touchstones in The Huntington’s collections, including objects featured in the “This Land Is…” exhibition, through a mix of panel discussions and community conversations. Join scholars, storytellers, and community experts to excavate the layered histories of this country through these cultural landmarks and discuss the lessons they hold for the present.

Time: TBD

"Guided Reading of the Declaration of Independence" at the Autry
2026-07-18 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Autry Museum of the American West
Part of a series of events under the LA2026 Humanities Discussions, presented by the Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI) at USC.

An intimate workshop experience brings together scholars, museum members, students, and public for a guided reading and discussion of the Declaration, exploring its ideals as part of a living story.
A workshop conversation led by Virginia Scharff (Emeritus Distinguished Professor of History at the University of New Mexico).

"Responding to History with Art" at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
2026-09-03 19:00 - 21:00 | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Part of a series of events under the LA2026 Humanities Discussions, presented by the Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI) at USC.

A conversation with María Elena Fernández
Participants will engage in conversation about art and its role in the ways people resist, repair, and reckon with the past in Southern California.

"The Fight for a Fairer City: LA as Testing Ground" at the Autry
2026-09-19 13:30 - 15:30 | Autry Museum of the American West
Part of a series of events under the LA2026 Humanities Discussions, presented by the Early Modern Studies Institute (EMSI) at USC.

This panel explores the ways Californians contributed to the shape and foundations of our current political system, showing how the path to liberty and freedom did not move unilaterally from East to West, with Los Angeles a 20th century trailblazer in the pursuit of freedom.
A conversation with Michael Woo (former Los Angeles City Councilmember and President of 1871 Memorial Project) and Zev Yaroslavsky (former Los Angeles County Supervisor and Director of Los Angeles Initiative, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs).
