The museum will showcase the rich history of French Speaking immigrants  and their influence on the San Franciscan and Californian community through a wide range of exhibits, educational programs, and events.

Opening day for the general public

May 18th, 2024

Opening Conference 

We will host the first conference open to the public on Saturday May 18th at 2pm with historian Claudine Chalmers about "La loterie des lingots d'or. The public will be able to visit the museum before the conference.  

In 1851, a French governmental decree allowed the establishment of the "Société des Lingots d’or" which organized a lottery to assist the less fortunate in relocating to California. Upon arrival, many of them went to work in the mines. However, a significant number ultimately chose to stay or return to San Francisco, where they aimed to pursue their professions.

The conference will be in French. 

I want to attend the conference I want to attend the conference

Free entrance, donation appreciated
donate here donate here

Hours of operation 

Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday and Saturday 9:30 - 12:00
Sunday and Monday- closed 

Collections : 

- early explorers 
- the Gold Rush 
- Historical context
- Litographs representing San Francisco found in French books in newspapers 
- the trades 
- department stores and restaurants
- institutions and investments
- French-speaking clubs
- San Francisco fires and earthquake

A Collaborative project 

We are launching a collaborative project to collect and share the history of past generations. We are looking for descendants of French speaking immigrants who moved to San Francisco or the Bay Area before 1930 and are interested in sharing the story of their ancestors. 

contact us to participate contact us to participate

Donors AckNowledgement 

Thanks to the support of

the following French clubs 
La Ligue Henri IV 
La Société Française de Bienfaisance Mutuelle
La Gauloise, Société Française de Secours Mutuels
Bay Area Faneurs 
La Loge Franco Américaine 207

Individual Donors 
Georges Vieux
Tom Horn 
Bernard Brasseur
Christopher Benoist

We are also very pleased to have been selected as recipient of the STAFE grant from the French Government.

Being involved

If you're enthusiastic about contributing your time as a volunteer for this project or wish to make donations, whether they be items or historical documents for the museum, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Executive Director at noemie@afsf.com.

Museum boutique 

Schools and Groups visits 

We will be ready to host visit for schools for the school year 2024-2025. 
For groups of 6 or more, please contact us in advance (afsf@afsf.com) to confirm as we may not be able to receive your group due to the mix use of the space (classes, exams) 

Learn more or prepare your visit

 We encourage you to do the "Paris of the Pacific" tour (only available in English at this time) with the non-profit City Guides. 

Press contact 

For information about the opening Ceremony, receive the press kit or to set up an interview