Mission

The Grabhorn Institute preserves and perpetuates the use of two historic San Francisco businesses as a living museum and educational center: M & H Type, established in 1915, the oldest and largest continuously operating type foundry in America, and Arion Press, founded in 1974, publisher of limited-edition hand-bound, letterpress printed artist books. Designated an "irreplaceable cultural treasure" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Institute houses an extensive collection of metal typefaces, and supports the country's only paid apprenticeship program in typecasting, letterpress printing and bookbinding. The Institute also sponsors free public talks, demonstrations, exhibits, and tours.