Guided tours daily, Tuesday to Saturday, at 11am and 2pm.
About
We celebrate and share the history, tools and processes of bookbinding from the 16th century through the changes and innovations of the 19th century. In addition to the business and craft of bookbinding, we share stories of the men, women, and children who worked in binderies.
The American Bookbinders Museum is the only bookbinding museum in North America.
EventsQueer Voices - Paperbacks and Periodicals Forging Communities: June 1 - August 31, 2019
See Upcoming Events
RentalsLocated in the heart of San Francisco’s SoMa/Yerba Buena District, just steps from the Moscone Center, the American Bookbinders Museum is the ideal space for your special event.
Host Your Event With Us
DonateYour support helps the ABM expand its programs and exhibits to reach a community of book lovers, students, and book artists.
Give TodayWhat our visitors are saying about their experience
-
Great docent lead tour giving a fabulous historical journey through the lens of book binding.
Yelp 2/4/17 -
The tour is worth the time. It is great for anyone into craftsmanship and history. The staff is friendly and informative. Started with this gem during a morning of touring museums.
Yelp 11/15/16 -
This place is GREAT! Book lovers unite!
The staff is wonderful, the tour is historical and entertaining, and it is WELL worth the time to be exposed to such an important aspect of human history!
Yelp 7/14/17 -
This was a great tour for my teen who loves old books. We learned the history of bookbinding and its evolution to mass publishing with a fun and very knowledgeable docent. Seeing so many period machines and getting a chance to try out a printing press made this better than just a museum visit.
Yelp 4/20/18 -
If you love books, this is a must. Learn the history of the art/process of making a book. Very informed staff and docents.
Yelp 2/2/19 -
Bellissimo, piccolo ma completo, Bravi!
Roberto Z 3/3/19 -
A wonderful museum. The temporary exhibition was an added treat. Bravo!
Samuel F 2/1/19 -
I love that the equipment was used in demonstrations! I love the knowledge and passion the docents have for this museum and the work! I’m so glad I stumbled across this!
Visitor 6/6/16 -
Really fantastic small museum, with helpful and informative staff and a brilliant gift shop. Seeing the various printing and bookbinding techniques associated with the tools and machines they involved was fantastic.
TripAdvisor 8/24/17 -
Great collection, great docents. The museum really showcases the beginnings of the collection of knowledge in our society.
Google 10/25/18 -
Мuseo chico, tiene la sala de exposición linda, talleres y las máquinas antiguas de encuadernación, museografía magnífica, imparten conferencias también.
Google 3/14/19 -
This is a fantastically interesting jewel. It is truly astounding to walk in a place like this and find one of the most important parts of our culture which is the preservation of knowledge. It is truly eye opening to witness the detail of work in culture.
Google 3/8/18