Los Angeles is renowned for its iconic attractions, but beneath the mainstream, there exists a treasure trove of offbeat museums waiting to be discovered. In a groundbreaking new book titled “Also on View,” author Todd Lerew takes readers on an eclectic journey through 64 of these hidden gems scattered throughout Greater Los Angeles. The book is the culmination of over a decade of research, showcasing venues many Angelenos likely overlook or have never even heard of.
Why does Lerew, a 37-year-old self-proclaimed collector of curiosities, dedicate himself to exploring these lesser-known museums? His passion is deeply personal, rooted in a love for the quirky and the unusual. He has visited numerous unique places—from the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City to the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme and the Historical Glass Museum in Redlands. With his book, he challenges locals to rethink their understanding of the rich cultural landscape that surrounds them.
Included in Lerew’s exploration are quirky spots like the Skid Row History Museum & Archive, the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in Simi Valley, and even a Finnish Folk Art Museum nestled in Pasadena. Each of these locations represents individual passion projects—often run by a single enthusiast—dedicated to celebrating niche topics such as fast food, vertebrate zoology, and skateboard culture.
On a recent morning, while visiting the Outer Limits Tattoo and Museum in Long Beach, Lerew met the owner, Kari Barba, a celebrated tattoo artist and an industry pioneer. Barba has invested two decades into preserving the history of her establishment, having created a unique space filled with both contemporary and historical tattoo artistry. As they perused the museum together, they uncovered intriguing artifacts, including a covered vat containing a mysterious concoction used in the tattooing process.
Lerew’s journey into the world of obscure collections began long before his book project. Growing up in rural South Dakota, he was captivated by roadside attractions that celebrated the curious and the eccentric. After moving to California and working at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, his obsession for discovering unique museums led him to curate exhibitions that spotlight rare collections, transforming his personal passion into professional endeavors.
Within the pages of “Also on View,” Lerew also showcases the work of individuals like Karen Collins, who uses her creative talents to depict pivotal moments in Black history through intricate miniature dioramas. Collins’s work, rooted in personal experience and resilience, emphasizes the importance of storytelling and memory.
Beyond the book, Lerew continues his quest, maintaining an ambitious list of over 3,200 unseen museums around the globe that he aspires to visit. His dedication highlights an essential truth—the desire to explore the unconventional offerings of world culture is limitless.
In essence, “Also on View” not only shines a light on lesser-known cultural treasures in Los Angeles but also serves as a reminder of the unique stories waiting to be told in every corner of our communities. Lerew’s work invites everyone to venture beyond the typical tourist paths, urging them to discover the hidden histories that enrich our collective experience.