LACMA: The Early Years

Members of the Hancock and Brennon families take part in the groundbreaking for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Handling spades are Shelia Marie, 4, left, and sister Jane Ann Brennon, 6. Then-president of the museum board Thomas Carter, left, stands behind the children.

On March 30, 1965, fireworks accompany the formal dedication ceremonies on opening night of the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art campus in Hancock Park.  (Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times)

On May 3, 1964, Mrs. Robert W. Burton, the president-elect of the Art Museum Council, drives a sports car along La Cienega Boulevard and gives council members and their husbands rides.

Richard F. Brown, LACMA’s first director, stands on a staircase in the Atrium of the Ahmanson gallery on March 21, 1965. The Roman statue “Hygea” is featured in the foreground.