The Wende Museum

There are really four major sections to this small and cozy, but relatively detailed museum. There are the permanent collections on the left and right wings, a special exhibit in the center with a rear wall, and a large garden area for events. The collection is small but well curated, and the archives look to be extensive. The location is well suited to collaboration with nearby community centers and historical societies. The focus is on the socialist side of the Cold War, with a particular emphasis on the ordinary people and protest movements. The museum is free, and supports local research programs. Highly recommended.

This is a very impressive museum, a lot of things were first time seen even I know about that part of history, but not that much of history. The general admission is free and there are a few small parking lots that allows 6 hours parking, except Saturday and Sunday. Plants outside are pretty as well!

A magnificent library of 20th-century Russian-language books. I was especially pleased that you can borrow any book and read it in a chair. The exhibitions are varied—I've been to this museum twice. I didn't like the first exhibition, on victims of political repression—even the topic was very one-sided and politicized. But the second, on spy technology from the second half of the 20th century, was a pleasant surprise. The museum also has an additional area, a small but very pleasant park. I really liked this place.

Striking architecture with gorgeous landscaping. Very instructing place really enjoyed the gardens very Lea Gil and well maintained. Plenty of parking and engaging spaces. Hoping to attend one of their events since the gardens look so inviting .

Museum with exhibits from Cold War era. Small but interesting information and if you can do one of their guided tours then even better. The present exhibit on surveillance is amazing. Free to visit. They also host special events every now and then so check out their website often!

Museum showing artifacts and exhibits of the Cold War period. Massive exhibit dealing with spying and surveillance on at this time. This was very informative. 2 other galleries with exhibits from their storage. Unfortunately, no labels on the items which was frustrating. They have wifi so I was able to look stuff up. Free ample parking and free admission. Great garden in the back.

Very interesting museum if one is into Cold War history with an emphasis o espionage and state surveillance. There was so much rare equipment (spying microphones, encryption devices, etc...). Felt is was definitely worth the stop. There was also some very good behind-the Iron Curtain dissident art and very scary post-bombing graphics for civilian instruction.

Their current exhibit of art from incarcerated people during the Cold War and now. Their artifacts and art in the corridors were very cool. Loved the bookcases, so striking. The courtyard outback is beautiful! Great way to spend an hour at this free museum.

I visited the Wende Museum for the first time during a KCRW Summer Nights event--and what an awesome introduction! The combination of DJ music, community, and culture made for a truly memorable evening. I brought my daughter along, and while the museum's focus on Cold War history and spycraft was totally up my alley (I'm a big non-fiction fan), it wasn't quite her thing--she's more into teen novels. Still, there's something intriguing for most age groups here if you're curious about the past and how it connects to our present. The current exhibition, "Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency," was thought-provoking. It explores surveillance technologies and their relationship to science, art, and pop culture in both real and imagined contexts. The museum does a great job of tying together history and modern relevance. The staff was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, offering extra context and answering questions with enthusiasm. Bonus points for the outdoor space, which is beautifully landscaped and makes the whole visit feel peaceful and well-curated, inside and out.

I have visited a number of Cold War museums around the world, and I must say The Wende Museum of the Cold War is among the best! It's bright, airy, and curated very well. Exhibitions in the main gallery rotate every six months. Today we saw "Counter/Survelliance: Control, Privacy, Agency" which presents technologies and their links with scientific and pseudo-scientific research, artistic methods, and popular culture. There are exhibits on facial recognition, message encoding, passport control, surveillance, and more from Europe, United States, and Southeast Asia. A large portion of the artifacts displayed came from the former U.S.S.R. and East Germany. The glass wall and doors at the rear of the museum held a unique display of Hyperreality that you look through to view the museum garden. There are also a library and permanent displays of artifacts related to the nuclear arms race, space race, life behind the Iron Curtain, and more. The Wende has free admission Friday-Sunday.

The Wende Museum is one of LA's most underrated cultural spots. Tucked away in Culver City, it offers a fascinating and thoughtful look at Cold War history through art, artifacts, and personal stories--mostly from Eastern Europe and the Soviet era. It's not your typical museum experience; it feels intimate, well-curated, and genuinely educational without being overwhelming. The exhibits rotate often and are always surprisingly relevant, connecting past ideologies to modern issues. The staff is friendly and passionate, and the outdoor sculpture garden adds a peaceful bonus to your visit. Pro tip for first timers: Admission is free, but reservations are recommended especially on weekends. Give yourself time to walk the garden and don't skip the gift shop; it's small but full of interesting Cold War relics and books.

This new community center is dedicated to the arts, education, outreach, and networking. All programs and services are offered free of charge. I attended a free yoga class and it was lovely. There's plenty of parking in the lot. The museum is next door. The outdoor space is serene and tranquil. This is a lovely addition to the community.

Been on The Wende email list for awhile, but I had never visited it. The latest email had an awesome, complimentary, Summer Camp Watercolor event on a Sunday morning, so I signed up. There was plenty of free parking in front of the museum when I arrived. Then, I followed the sign to a beautiful, serene, hidden garden where this lovely class was happening. Our teacher, Anne Austin Pearce, was welcoming and encouraging. She gave us helpful tips about how to use the paint, the water and the brushes. Then, she gave us a prompt to start. I'm creative, but not artistic. I just wanted to play with the glorious colors while enjoying the company of other people (mostly women) in a relaxing environment. It was fun to see what everyone else chose to do, too. What a fantastic experience! I can't wait to Wende my way back to camp!

Small museum but very cool exhibit! All about surveillance during the Cold War. Lots to learn from the past. The museum is very well organized.

This museum offers a fascinating glimpse of a slice of the past. Who thought that a museum of the Cold War era could be interesting, but it truly was. The collection spans the range of tiny spy cameras (my favorite!) to other artifacts from Russia and Eastern Bloc countries, to portraits of Cold Era notable characters and a current art display. The walls of locked-up Russian books were art pieces in themselves. The patio areas outside are lovely, with plenty of seating among the water features. The whole place, inside and out, is serene. Plenty of parking, and the museum is free. I appreciated the informative and kind staff. I'll certainly return when I'm in the area.

While I'm not a British spy with a license to ask for my martinis strictly shaken and not stirred, being apart of this museums tour had me feeling like I might as well be wearing a tux everywhere I go. My tour guide who's name I'll keep anonymous because of my newfound paranoia, was awesome!. But I'll call her 'Jean' for the sake of proper narrative. Not only was she completely knowledgeable with all my random questions along the way, there was a sense of genuine appreciation for all that was on display and with sharing it's history. Most but not everything on display were actual devices, gadgets, and methods used during the Cold War espionage era. And while I found it all to be fascinating, and even relevant to the world today, my favorite item in the museum hands down was 'Lunar Sample #15418'. YES, an actual rock from the moon itself. I mean, how often does one get to stand arms length away from the moon? Credit to everone who works at this museum. They were all great. From the moment I walked in to when I left. Everyone was very welcoming and just pleasant. Really enjoyed walking through the gift area as well. Just know its digital payment only.

The Wende is not just an art museum, which presents archive of the Cold War and preserves history through exhibitions, and but also a cultural center in the area, involving in education and community engagement. The museum only opens Friday through Sunday to public, and they host special events periodically, the staff said they usually have limited spots and early registration is recommended, and I liked the event I attended and the museum itself is worth revisiting as well.

I am so glad I learned about a free lecture here somehow. A Vietnamese American art historian, Thuy N.D. Tran, was giving a talk on South Vietnam's Artistic Legacy here. It was an honor and so enriching learning about an art tradition that was interrupted both by war and then the dissolution of a government. As an aspiring artist of South Vietnamese descent, it felt like my own history was being presented to me. I had been trying to self-study these artists, the history of the arts in Vietnam and myself be a continuation of that story. I do not claim to be affiliated in any way with these masters, but I am undoubtedly influenced by their work. After the talk ended, because we are in a museum, I walked around to look at the current exhibitions. Directly adjacent to us were works by Vietnamese artists or about Vietnamese themes, namely the war and its subsequent refugees. Growing up, I saw very little about my homeland in museums or textbooks. I am thankful to have been able to learn more about the factors that have shaped me and my lived experiences. Parking is free, and admission is free. This is a really neat cultural center to check out!

So many positives I don't know where to start. A gem of a small museum with free admission and parking. When we decided to visit we had no idea what to expect; I was expecting a military/intelligence focus. Wrong. Its an art museum. We are not "Museum Knowledgeable" and have pretty much decided the only way for us to appreciate/enjoy what is displayed is to take a tour. We timed our visit for their tour times. Spending almost an hour on what amounted to a private tour with a knowledgeable guide who communicated extremely effectively, patiently answered our questions, and exponentially increased our understanding of the era. It is important to note the perspective was from those who lived in the East Block, not the American view. The only sad note is hearing of the many speakers the museum hosts, and what we have missed. We are now on their mailing list and look forward to attending presentations in the future.

A hidden gem among hidden gems. Before Santa Monica largely became associated with strange tech people with too much money and weird hipsters with too much money and other groups of people with fairly similar vibes, it was referred to (either derisively or admiringly, honestly not sure which) as Santa Moskau - or more artistically as Weimar on the Pacific (partly because a lot of Weimar Republic-era German intellectual washups landed there for some reason). Regardless, I want to highlight the old heritage of Santa Monica, because this museum embodies all the good it still has to offer. First, the museum is free! It's clearly being sponsored by several very rich people, because it's sitting on prime real estate in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the United States, has ample parking, is beautiful inside and out, and is absolutely free! Whoever is funding this actively wants people to learn much more about the subject! Although some may ascribe some sort of nefarious goal to this - the museum ultimately focuses in on a period of history that many people still alive grew up in - and it's not really that far-fetched to assume that some old and rich people want the rest of us to learn about the world they grew up in. They also have a wonderful rotating exhibit. In short, the vast majority of the museum is a rotating exhibit, so you can come back to the museums and see essentially an entirely different museum. That's very exciting and I struggle to think of any museum I've seen with that much rotation. When I went, they were holding an exhibit on art during the Cultural Revolution period in China, as well as art about the time period. Was a great exhibit with lots of varied things, some historical, some contemporary. One of my favorite museums in Southern California and one that I would recommend to anyone, especially locals because the exhibits change so much! Parking is also easy and they have a nice garden area outside that you might be able to hold events in if you ask them (though I don't know what the pricing is).

- Cold War museum with great artifacts! - We came here during the Vietnam exhibition and it was super interesting - good parking, we came on a Friday at noon and had plenty of spots to choose from - Bathrooms- clean - Staff- informative and nice - there is an outside area to this museum that has a good seating area. It can get hot in the summer but overall a cool place to chill! There's also a great surprise element in the back that we thought was interesting! - you can knock this museum out within an hour if you're touring around LA. Great space! The check in process was super easy. It's free for the public which is awesome. As expected it's a museum so it's quiet and cool!

Never heard of this "Cold War Museum" before, but saw they were having a photo exhibit of David Bowie in Russia. Being a huge Bowie fan, I went the very last day it was open, mainly cause it's a long drive from the San Gabriel Valley to the west side where this place is located. It's a small museum, and admission is thankfully free. Unfortunately for us, just when we went on a Sunday morning - the last day the exhibit would be showing - there was another unconnected lecture that got booked into the space in back where the Bowie photos were exhibited. So, we had to walk around the tiny space, which doesn't have much to keep you busy with, and wait a good hour for the lecture to end, pack up, and leave. Even sadder was that once we could see the exhibit, it wasn't a full exhibit of all the work which is available in the photographer's book on Bowie's trip to Russia. It was only like 10 photos and one video loop of a TV interview in Russia. So, after waiting an hour, it took all of 15 minutes to completely soak in what was there to see. Once again, it was at least free. And it seemed like the kind of exhibit that should be free. Other than that, there was an exhibit on Vietnam in the other main middle space, which was interesting. Paintings, sculptures, and other mixed media art. That took a little time to go through and was interesting. Their tiny permanent exhibit consists of a sculpture garden out back with maybe 5 sculptures, as well as two long library rows of books collected from Soviet era Russia (multiple copies and sets). I don't know if you're even allowed to touch them or not. I assume not. They also have some artifacts from Russia and I think China in glass cases mixed in with the two long librarian book rows. I'm glad I went once. I wouldn't go back. And, to be honest the Bowie exhibit was a bust. However, if you are intrigued by the Cold War and don't live far away, it's not a bad way to spend an hour or so I suppose.

A true gem in Culver City. This Cold War museum is located next to the Veterans park. Free admission and they have scheduled public tours on Fridays at 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm. The museum has permanent collections located at each side and their special exhibits are located at the center. They also have patio located behind the building. Small but very cool place to visit, especially if you join their tour.

Nice small museum with various art pieces. Good place to pass time. There is also a nice backyard to chill after touring the museum. The staff is friendly and they do tours too. Best part is the free entry and free parking.

The Wende Museum is a Cold War Museum that is free for everyone and they have some free events as well. I highly recommend checking it out. Yes parking is free as well.

A beautiful museum in Culver City!! I enjoy visiting hidden gems in LA and The Wende Museum is very well-kept and spacious, spent nearly an hour here admiring the exhibitions and there outdoor garden/patio is really cool! Definitely will be back to check out future exhibitions!

What a fascinating museum! The exhibition I saw there was on the Cultural Revolution. I first visited China in 1981 when the Gang of Four trial was happening and everyone in the country were wearing Mao suits. For me, the exhibition was something of a trip down memory lane. The porcelain figures of people engaged in various revolutionary behaviors was interesting --- including those porcelain statues that depicted far harsher behaviors (eg. struggle sessions, beatings, etc.). It was also interesting to see how Mao is interpreted now, such as by fashion designer Vivienne Tam. The garden was beautiful and had Soviet memorabilia such as a bust of Yuri Gagarin. There were other Soviet exhibits in the museum, including a bust of Stalin, a display on Soviet Jewry and the discrimination that they faced. There was also a statue of Ernst Thalmann, the first leader of the German communist party (1925-1933) who was executed by the Nazis at Buchenwald. The other interesting displays were the state gifts that former East German leader Erich Honecker received. If I have a criticism of the museum, while it does hit upon the misery communism and the Cold War inflicted on literally tens of millions of people it does seem to soft pedal it. While the focus of the exhibition was the Cultural Revolution there was a mention of the Long March that cemented Mao's leadership but no mention that I saw of the Great Leap Forward where some 30 million Chinese lost their lives. I also didn't see the estimate of 500,000 to 2 million who died during the Cultural Revolution. I believe the museum needs to dial up the suffering of the era and the various Communist regimes. Still, I'll return to see future exhibitions.

Tiny museum--that has found it's niche factor. I came upon this treasure by way of an advertised jazz concert held in the venue. I consider myself a bit cultured--and by no means have done all of L.A., yet still familiar with its offerings. Cold War Museum, you say? In Culver City? Let's go! This is definitely a museum that needs to be docent-led. Small though it is, seeing the patrons so involved, I know I was missing something. Exhibits with no explanation... Lovely back patio! I'd rent it! But how does it reflect the Cold War?

Honestly this just reminds me of a rich kid's cabinet of curiosities. There's not much analysis or interpretation. Can you imagine if there was a similar venue for National Socialist tchotchkes? 1. If you are an American that knows nothing about the Cold War, these curiosities might interest you 2. The floors are very slippery so walk carefully, my friend saw someone slip and fall really hard on the polished tiles! Ouch!

Housed in a former National Guard armory built in 1949, the Wende Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Cold War through art and artifacts from Communist bloc countries. It's a small space, and it seems that very little of its collection is on view at one time: It has one main gallery space that is taken up by whatever exhibition is on display at the time. (On my recent visit, that was "The Medium Is the Message," a display of flags and banners.) A smaller gallery space at the rear shows additional works, which may spill out into the rear garden space, as well. But the most intriguing items are to be found in the two side corridors of "open storage," which line the main gallery's nave like to the aisles of a cathedral. In these two corridors are display cases showcasing highlights from the permanent collection, such as diplomatic gifts given to former East German leader Erich Honecker; a series of facial recognition training cards used by the Stasi; a wide array of commemorative plates, with subjects as diverse as nude soccer players to the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917; a variety of stylish mid-century electronics and telephones; and even some disco LPs made behind the Iron Curtain. There are boxes and boxes of other items stacked up in the glass-fronted cases down these halls, and one can only imagine what they hold. The xeriscaped back garden is a beautiful hidden spot, landscaped with palms, aloes, and succulents. At the end of a row of fountains sits a model of the monument to Ernst Thälmann, leader of German Communism from 1925-1933, that would be erected on a much larger scale in East Berlin in 1986. A bust of Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who was the first man in space, sits among verdant bamboo and lacy tree philodendron ― a far more hospitable setting than the snowy location he previously had, I'm sure. A former East Berlin guardhouse is repurposed as a statement about togetherness and migration or something; it only works at night, when the museum is closed, so I couldn't really see what it was meant to say. But the rear garden is lovely. If they served drinks there, I could stay for hours. But I can't, and that is the shortcoming of the Wende Museum: The space is small, and there isn't too much to see. One really has to work at it to get an hour's worth of time out of the place. Were it located in a cultural district next to other museums, that wouldn't be so bad, but it's not. (The nearest "museum" is the Museum of Jurassic Technology, 1.3 miles away.) The Wende's collections and mission are unique, but it is sadly limited in what it can show, so I'm not sure that it is worth making a special trip to Culver City just to visit it in its current state. However, if one is nearby, it is definitely worth stopping in to see one of L.A.'s more unique hidden treasures.

This is a quirky, totally cool collection in a gorgeous, light-filled brand new space. The museum has neat period stuff like Cold War games and old phones, maps, art, and all sorts of ephemera. They even have materials the KGB used to train their operatives! The museum also curates shows in conjunction with other collections. Right now they have a show in co-sponsored with The Getty about Hungary that includes travel posters, pottery, photos, and film. Come for a docent tour. You will not regret it. The kicker is that admission and even parking are free! What a gem.

An interesting museum with a bizarre ideological bent...it seems (which gets in the way of accurate history from time to time) Now nothing was decisively clear, but the museum seemed tilted in favor of the soviets with the language used on placards on some descriptions. For one, a plaque described the Soviet invasion of Poland as performed in response to the German invasion, but that's just plain wrong. Soviets made an agreement with the Nazis to split Poland! This was the worst offender of misrepresenting history, but other small ones were present, like the description of Ernst Thalmann as a powerless victim of Nazi persecution, when he helped bring Hitler to power and said it was a good thing that he seized power. I went some time ago and don't remember the other examples, but I believe there were about half a dozen such things. There's plenty of really interesting artifacts and items worth your seeing, especially the Martin Roemers exhibit if it's still there, but I urge you to exercise some healthy skepticism regarding what you read on the museums plaques and descriptions.

A very thoughtfully curated and creative museum for folks who are already somewhat familiar with the politics of the Cold War. I visited with my boyfriend, and we had a great time! The museum is mostly art, and I really admire the space's thoughtful presentation; for many of the pieces, there were two plaques with differing interpretations. I've never seen that before, and it was very thought-provoking. There's some good art pieces here, mostly of the realist style due to the period/context, but there are also a few more abstract/modern pieces as well. There's a number of smaller exhibits of artifacts from the period, including explorations of everything from music to furniture to photography. The space was all very well laid-out, and I was never bored. There's also a lovely garden in the back perfect for relaxing by some fountains. A couple of notes: this is not a very big museum, so it probably won't take up all of your day. Furthermore, there's not too much "explanatory material" describing the politics and the history leading up to the Cold War, so I think the museum would be best for people who already have some pre-existing knowledge. There is also not much, if any exploration of the American side of the war--so for instance, if you're looking for stuff related to Reagan, you're out of luck. Overall, I think this is a great museum for someone who already knows a bit about the Cold War and is looking for some thought-provoking material. Plus, it's free, which is obviously appreciated. Highly recommend!

Currently, they are only open Fri/Sat/Sun. Reservations are required (although it was easy to snag one two hours in advance, on a Saturday). Temperature checks are performed as well. It's completely FREE to get in and there's free parking right out front. It appears that the museum's vision is: to be a showcase of Cold War artifacts as well as maintain a commitment to an ongoing conversation about the era's influence (through inclusion of contemporary art inspired by it). They have a permanent collection of Soviet-era items (across from the bookcases, on both sides) but they have ongoing temporary exhibitions as well. I got the impression that they really work to provide fresh content. This makes sense since their collection is relatively small. During my visit, they had an interesting exhibition that cycled through the impressions of Cold War style and decor (with a particular focus on East Germany). From the apartment (revered), to the flea market (discarded), to the museum (regenerated), to the modern artist (inspired). It was well-arranged and fascinating to explore. They also have a lovely courtyard behind the museum with a couple statues and plenty of spaces to sit and bask in the sunlight. The gift shop, although tiny, had a few interesting items. Mostly books. The staff was terrific. So friendly and helpful. We were greeted warmly and provided a lot of information about the museum and its layout. This is a small and free museum and it is not a behemoth of Cold War relics and knowledge. Nonetheless, they seem to work hard to keep the space evolving and I appreciate that. I feel very fortunate that somebody is funding this institution so the public can have free access to it. I will admit that it didn't feel like an entirely honest and comprehensive look at the ugliness of Communism and the destruction that arose from it. It's much milder and tends to focus on less appalling elements such as aesthetics, pop culture, innovation, and style. There are mentions of repression but it's certainly not the full picture. It brings up an interesting topic -- is it the museum's responsibility to cover the good, the neutral, and *all* the bad? I'm not sure. In their defense, the Stalinist collectivization campaign (that starved and killed millions) preceded the Cold War. The subsequent decades ushered in new policies, beginning with Khrushchev's denouncement of Stalin's policies, the closure of forced labor camps, etc. Additionally, the museum has limited space while the Cold War is a tremendously complex conflict that also involved all the allied countries of the Eastern and Western Blocs. In a way, the museum experience mirrors my childhood in the mid-to-late 80s. Growing up under Gorbachev's perestroika, I missed all the ugliness and was left with a fond nostalgia for the aesthetics of the USSR. Intellectually, I now see it for the monster that it was. I am not sure if the museum has an obligation to expose every claw of this monster, especially if their focus is limited to a specific era in the USSR's history. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit and this is just a fleeting thought from a Museum Studies major.

Nice and free. Subtracting 1 star because the website says featuring '2000 posters and 234 works of art', so i thought there would be more to see. Maybe that's how many they own, but what is on display is about 30 paintings and posters and 20 or so artifacts. They could show more - propaganda posters and such would've been interesting. Maybe in binders/hanging poster books to display more

Although the space is quite small, it has so much to offer. As a Soviet history nerd, I was in heaven as I browsed antiques from the Space Race. David Bowie in the USSR was an interesting touch that I wasn't aware of. Footage and photos of average Soviet citizens was beautiful. Bonus points for carrying a couple books written in Russian.

I am surprised and quite happy to have this in Culver City. My wife, who is constantly trying to explain what was going on in East Germany back then, got a full visual display to back up her explanations. As with most museums, the collection is massive and only a small portion can be dispayed. Everything is beautifully documented and well presented, but I was particularly fascinated with the collection of Nathan Farb photographs "The Russians." I had only seen them in books and it was wonderful to see so many of them in a gallery setting. If you live in Culver City, this is something you can be proud of and support.

The Wende Museum is a Cold War art museum, historical archive, and educational institution in Culver City. I stopped by with my husband and my brother during a visit to LA this past week. We arrived around 11/12 on a Saturday, and it wasn't busy. Admission to the museum is free. When we visited (and through April 5, 2020), the museum was hosting an exhibition: "The Medea Insurrection: Radical Women Artists Behind the Iron Curtain." The exhibit was the bulk of what was available to see in the museum (the museum is essentially one large room and the exhibition took up almost all the space). The art in the exhibition was okay. I was much more interested in what they had displayed in the hallways with books on either side of the gallery space: spy equipment used in the USSR, consumer products form the USSR, sculptures/busts of historic figures, and more. I found myself wishing that the museum just displayed items from their permanent collection, rather than displaying art exhibits in the majority of the space. But it's more a gallery for temporary exhibits with a few teases of what's in their permanent collection displayed. Worth a visit if you're in Culver City, if you're VERY interested in the Cold War, or if there's an exhibit you're interested in, but probably not worth going out of your way for otherwise. I'd love to go back if they're ever displaying more artifacts from their permanent collection.

Great little free gallery. I say gallery as it feels more like a space to host interpretive exhibitions and collections than a narrative museum. I particularly enjoyed the temporary photography exhibition that was on at the time. I'd have preferred more extracts and educational captions to the exhibits, but as a free museum one shouldn't complain. Especially as it's so well curated and the staff are wonderful. There's also a lovely garden at the back that is great to just spend time in, too.

Die Wende: the turning point or change, in German. It's come to mean the point in time when the citizens of East Germany realized the communism just wasn't working for them any more. They did some remodeling (the Berlin Wall came down) and some cognitive restructuring (capitalism became good again) and the rest is history (as in, Germany's economy is awesome. The rest of the world? Not so much.) This small museum is dedicated to this point of time, primarily through a display of commemorative plates and other artifacts, including paintings and documents. There is a library, as well as large pieces of the Berlin Wall for your viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, I was not able to take one of the tours; check wendemuseum.org for the tour schedule. I would highly recommend visiting when the tours are available. The museum is only open on Fridays and by appointment. Worth a visit if you're in the area or want to learn more about this important period in history. Free!

Fascinating free museum tucked in a quiet corner of Culver City with ample free lot parking. Took me about an hour and a half to view everything in the exhibition. Highlights that I especially enjoyed: - Soviet space program propaganda, including posters, sculptures honoring space dogs, and footage from a Sputnik stop-motion animated TV special - beautiful, arresting photo portraits of everyday Soviet citizens from the '70s - captivating photos of abandoned Soviet buildings, monuments, and architecture Highly recommended!

So I had a closer look at the museum today because it was too crowded to really see on opening day. This is a real, academic resource with global tentacles, and a feather in the cap of Culver City. Not everything is completed quite yet, like the fine arts room and areas for restoration etc. The sculpture garden in back is complete enough to be very enjoyable but is not yet 100%. The exhibits, for what they are, are top notch and the space is extremely nice. The museum is free and there are guided tours at 11, 1, and possibly one other. One brilliant thing they do is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays for school children only. If you have been to LACMA during the week, and bless their hearts, but the place is overrun with loud, running children. I am so glad they are at a museum, but I would like to enjoy it myself as well. So the solution here is very welcome. Now, the minus 1 star: this should really be called The Museum of Soviet and Eastern Europen Cold War Era Artifacts because that is exactly what it is. There is zero reference to America during the Cold War, or the effect on Americans of the Cold War. It would be nice if people born after me were aware that, for example, as soon as I entered first grade in 1961 or so, we had drills where we dove under our desks every Tuesday morning at 9:30 (or was it 10:30?) when the air raid sirens sounded, because the "Godless communists" were planning to nuke us. The Cold War was a big part of American life back then, but you would never know it from the Cold War museum. Which just seems odd. That said, it is still interesting.

Came with the fam as it's super close to work. Love the Russian doll crafts (our youngest made a venom inside of a Spider-Man!) and the beautiful backyard. I wouldn't mind coming over just to enjoy the garden! Staff was super informative and attentive. Was surprised and how much time we ended up spending. Definitely come when you can enjoy the outdoors. Also great at instructing school aged kids about evils of communism. As they rotate the exhibits will definitely be back.

Went there on a Saturday morning with a friend. There weren't many visitors, so we were able to enjoy a slow pace. I particularly like the gift shop as there are many interesting books about arts, photography, and movies. The little garden at the back is cute too.

Overall, a nice small museum. Parking: free parking spots outside of the museum. Entrance fee : free - they do have a donation box. Time cost - several hours (if joining the docent lead tour). We got to join the docent lead tour. The docent lead tour was in English and free. It was very informative. They used to be at another location in Culver City from what I heard. They also have a small section for their bookstore. I was not sure if the books along the bookcases were meant to be touched/viewed. They have some seats in the front entrance and throughout the museum. Overall, it was nice to hear about life during the cold war. I would highly recommend taking the docent lead tour.

My husband and I enjoyed our recent visit to this small, well-curated Cold War museum. We were impressed by the current exhibit of work from a North Korean propagandist-turned-defector, plus Shepard Fairey, and subversive posters from the late USSR. The collection of artifacts was also cool - I love the iconic stuffed animals especially. This is a nice place to contemplate the fragility of good government, nuclear peace, and the indomitable human spirit.

Small museum that is easy to miss from the street. Very well curated with a lovely garden in the back. Free admission/entry. Parking in lot out front shared with patrons of Veterans Memorial Park. Better for the niche culture-lover than for families. Maybe not a must-see for the visitor with limited time, but a good choice for a local. Their free event programming is apparently quite popular as well.

One of the medals I was awarded during my service was called the "Cold War Medal". It simply thanks those who served during a certain period for their efforts to end that "hidden" war. When I learned that the Berlin Wall was coming down, it was one of those political epiphanies because I never even considered that one day the wall would come down. But it did. And the Wende Museum has the largest chunk of it outside Berlin. Ten panels with artwork to reflect on the historic event. It's hard to believe its been twenty years since this event occurred and it's important that young people or those that never knew we were at war to learn of this. Though the true numbers may never be known, thousands of people died during this "cold" war, as hidden and hot a war as war could ever be. But a war nonetheless. Let freedom ring.

Took the tour a few days ago, since Friday is the only day of the week that you don't need an appointment. Tours were offered at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and there's no admission fee. We had this nice, older gentleman, named John, leading us around the warehouse packed with boxes of memorabilia from the Cold War, stacks of folded up flags, filed away magazines and rare books, busts of Lenin, Stalin, and other figureheads, furniture from the era, and paintings hanging on walls that roll out like floor sample displays at Home Depot. Altogether there were four different galleries, three of which you don't necessarily need to go on the tour to visit. Those three feature commemorative plates, small statues, paintings, photographs, a composite locker symbolizing Eastern European Olympic athletes, and the Pink Lenin. The fourth gallery covers Check Point Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and border guards. The Wende Museum has several chunks of the Berlin Wall, the largest being on display on Wilshire Boulevard, across from LACMA. They have a slab in front of the Wende, itself, which is tucked away in a business park, surrounded by studios (when we came by a long line of girls in short skirts were waiting to get into one of them). They're planning on moving to a larger facility in the near future. I'll definitely be visiting again shortly thereafter.

Fascinating private museum of artifacts from the former East Germany. I'd read about the Wende Museum after having read "Beyond the Wall" - a comprehensive look at the art and culture of the "DDR" (communist East Germany). All of the items seen in Beyond the Wall come from the collection of the Wende Museum in Culver City, CA. Driving up to the unassuming office park where the museum is located, I wondered if I was in the right location. Didn't seem 'museum-like.' But I later learned that the museum is renovating a local armory building to move into later in 2016. Tours are only offered on Fridays at 11:30 and 2pm - and they are free. My tour was lead by a very knowledgable German-speaking American who had spent time in West Germany in the early days of the DDR. He had a comprehensive knowledge of the collection and led us through the warehouse where the collection is stored. Unfortunately, most of the objects are in boxes or otherwise stored away - making it a bit of a let down. There was an interesting exhibit on facial recognition that included DDR border guard manuals. The tour was free. I'm glad I made time to see the Wende Museum and look forward to returning when it is in its new home in Culver City in 2016.

Lucky me! I just had a personal tour of the Wende museum and vault by the Cristina Cuevas-Wolf, Manager of Projects & Research and Jon Elliott the Collections Manager. The Wende Museum, located in Culver City has over 100,000 items archived from the Cold War era including sculptures, statues, banners, magazines, newspapers. They have a vault which is available for tours only on Fridays at 3pm. It was Thursday at 3pm so I consider myself lucky that they gave me the tour anyway. They really need a larger exhibition space and hopefully will have more of their items online soon so everyone can enjoy the artifacts Check it out if you have time! It's open only on Fridays. Admission is free!

Absolutely beautiful museum, dedicated to Cold War art, culture and history. Admission is free with the option to leave a donation. There is a large (free) parking lot out front. I spent a little over an hour here, not only seeing beautiful art and interesting artifacts, but also being quite informed.

This museum is a treasure. We absolutely love coming here to see the new exhibits and experiencing the surreal history surrounding the USSR. The amount of interesting artifacts they have is jaw dropping! We loved the Spy exhibit!

Tucked away in an innocuous business park, among a catering company, and an Agape church, you will see a giant piece of the Berlin wall. We're talking 2.6 tons of Berlin wallness just hanging out outside. Bonus is, you can't miss the place. There is plenty of parking, so take care of that, remark how awesome the giant cemetery next door is, and go inside, past the Berlin wall, and head upstairs. (where the temporary exhibit is) downstairs. And this is just the beginning of the awesomeness of this place. Downstairs houses the archive and the temporary exhibit, a informational, creative exhibit of a piece of life in East Germany or the Soviet Union. Nooks and crannies of soviet goodies abound. The full title, "Wende Museum: Museum and Archive of the Cold War" is appropriate; the small museum consisting of only 3 or 4 rooms is not even the main attraction. Downstairs is an archive of over 100,000 items from East Germany and the former Soviet Union. Boxes upon boxes of amazing memorabilia from the Soviet Union. If you plan ahead, you can get a tour of the archive and see some great things. The museum boasts famous Soviet paintings, posters, sports memorabilia, military uniforms, flags, and soviet trinkets, like tree decorations (little soviet astronauts, soviet stars), paper weights, East German spy gear, trophies, books, and magazines. This place is great and I don't think there is another museum like it, but it serves a niche market. If you aren't interested in Eastern European history, literature and culture from 1945-1991, one could find it boring and esoteric. It is not a flashy museum; they do a great job, but it's a young museum founded by an academic. It doesn't try to entertain patrons with bright lights and fancy simulations, but there is so much great history behind everything, it doesn't need it. I recommend going when you can go on a tour because the acquisition of some of the items has as much background as the items themselves. Finally, the founder, Justinian Jampol, is the brains behind the operation and awesome. Check out this article for more excellent reasons to spend an afternoon at The Wende. http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,352278,00.html They also have internships and some decent research opportunities, if you are into that sort of thing :)

Random museum... Too small with lots of history and cool artifacts... Watch out, the workers there are like the secret police: watching you like a hawk!

One of the best and most unique museums in Los Angeles. The Wende is a Cold War archive housed in a business park in south Culver City. You'll never see another collection like this one. When you enter their storage/display area you encounter shelves full of busts of Lenin, in different colors, materials, and styles. Walk around for awhile and check out the film archives, the mid century furniture and textile designs and then go and see the "Check Point Charlie" display. The best part though may be the espionage collection. Suitcase size "hidden" tape recorder and sputnik-like surveillance antennae mingle with unidentified control boards and monitors - its straight out of a 1960's Bond movie. This museums holds the detritus of an era we are quickly forgetting in the United States and one that many nations would rather forget. It's a great experience and an amazing collection. Go see, bring the kids. They will never forget it.

This gem is situated in an unassuming business park off of Slauson. Walking through the upstairs door, one is greeted with commemorative plates made of crystal, wood, and Meissen porcelain. There are various statues, photos, paintings, and posters of both dissident and propaganda art. John greeted us and provided a personal tour, informing us of particular pieces and their importance, power, and history. Walking down the stairs affords an expansive view of the "work room," an open space of racks and shelving that holds all sorts of fascinating relics from scores of flags to pieces of the wall, military medals, clothing, prison-made commemorative tanks, chairs, books, reels of film, and so much more. Throughout the rows you'll happen upon little nooks where folks are working, cataloging, researching, editing, and conserving. The tour ends in a small room that houses signage from the original checkpoint Charlie. John was terrific, friendly, and informative. I highly recommend a visit - it's free! They are moving in November to the armory in Culver City.