The Museum is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* * * Interested in renting our space? * * *

Contact Kristin Scheel at (415) 537-1105, X-3 | kscheel@sfhistory.org

SFHS Museum Rental 1
SFHS Museum Rental 2

Take a Virtual Tour

Our museum at 608 has been shuttered since March, but that hasn’t stopped us from moving forward with important work. We used this time to unpack and inventory thousands of items from the SFHS collection, which had been in our storage facility for years. We’ve brought the best of the collection to the museum. Over the next few months we’ll be creating a permanent exhibit to share when we reopen later in the year.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the museum, or if you’d like to revisit it, you can now take a virtual tour, courtesy of SF Travel. Click HERE or on the image below for a 360-degree tour of the SFHS Museum

.Virtual SFHS Museum Tour

SFHS Museum AnnouncemenSFHS Gold Fever exhibit

FAQs – RENTAL OF 608 COMMERCIAL STREET

  • WHO IS THE CONTACT FOR INQUIRIES/ TOURS/RESERVATIONS?
    Kristin Scheel, 415-370-0577 ext. 3 or kscheel@sfhistory.org
  • WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL FEE? Two full floors of use, including kitchen, staging room, restrooms, 100 chairs, and an A/V system (speakers, four wireless mics, and podium, SFHS staff to answer questions at the beginning of event, security service (one guard).
  • WHAT IS THE COST OF FULL FACILITY RENTAL? FACILITY $5,000; CLEANING FEE $1000; SECURITY DEPOSIT $1500, DUE WITH RESERVATION.
  • WHAT IF OUR EVENT MUST BE CANCELLED? Cancelled events may be rescheduled within six months of the original scheduled date.
  • WHAT HOURS IS THE MUSEUM AVAILABLE? EVENINGS after 4 PM, DAYTIMES negotiable, until 11PM.
  • WHAT IS THE EARLIEST A CATERER OR VENDOR MAY ACCESS FOR SET UP? Vendors can access the building for set up at 11 AM, earlier negotiable.
  • ARE THERE SPECIAL RATES FOR MULTI-DAY EVENTS? Special rates are negotiable.
  • WHAT RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO DÉCOR, MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT? A description of intended use must be presented in writing and approved.
  • WILL THERE BE OTHER GROUPS RENTING ON THE SAME DAY? Only one event will be booked per day, one party at a time.
  • MAY I USE MY PREFERRED CATERER? You may use a preferred caterer; we also have a list of caterers familiar with the space.
  • ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS? Discounts are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
  • CAN THE SPACE BE AVAILABLE FOR FUNDRAISING, POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS EVENTS OR EVENTS FOR GUESTS UNDER THE AGE OF 21? Yes, subject to prior approval.
  • PARKING is available nearby at the Portsmouth Square Garage or the Hilton Garage, both within a block of 608 Commercial.