American Bookbinders Museum – San Francisco, California

The first thing a lot of people do When you walk into this little museum in San Francisco they say, “I never knew this place existed.” What do you say on the way out? “I didn’t think it would be so fascinating.” The American Bookbinders Museum tells the story of a familiar object, the book, from its earliest forms (think: scroll or clay tablet) to hand-bound, leather-covered tomes to the glittering, cloth-bound books made by the first industrial machines – many of them are on display.

There are a ton of cast iron machines – a huge armed press in the front entrance sets the tone for the rest of the museum – which is pretty in itself. But also the small tools for goldsmithing, polishing and other beautification of a book are breathtaking. This place tells stories of guilds and unions, immigration and literacy, women in the workforce, papermaking, ink recipes and gold leaf – and it’s all fascinating. If you’re a gearhead, check out how the machines are put together. If you’re decorative, check out the gold-stamped Victorian books that look pretty on bourgeois mantels.

There is a small gallery with changing exhibitions and a cute little souvenir shop. You can take an audio tour (using your phone and your own earbuds or a rental table) or a paper tour. Due to Covid-19, there are currently no lecturer tours.