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The Foundation

Preserving the Legacy of the Maloofs

Mission of the Foundation

The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts is organized as a not-for-profit public benefit corporation.  Its mission is to perpetuate excellence in craftsmanship, encourage artists and make available to the public the treasure house the Maloofs lovingly created.

The Mission of SAMFAC is to honor and further the legacy of Sam and Alfreda Maloof.

Entry Gate to Sam and Alfreda's Historic Home

The Foundation pursues the promise inherent in this legacy as it:

  • Inspires woodworkers, artists, craftspeople, collectors, and others

  • Maintains and grows the principal archive of the lives, work and collections of the Maloofs

  • Celebrates the Maloofs’ creative spirit, love of woodworking, artistic expression and collecting

  • Produces educational tours, exhibits and programs

  • Stewards the historic compound in Rancho Cucamonga, California

  • Partners with like-minded organizations and individuals

History of the Maloof Foundation

In 1990, the Maloof residence and woodshop were deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. With the long-planned 210 Foothill Freeway extension set to cut through the Maloof site, negotiations began to save the buildings by moving them to a nearby location. The original location was a working lemon grove with eucalyptus windrows and the new six-acre site was chosen partly for the existing lemon trees and eucalyptus that recall the original environment and complement the new landscaping.

Historic home and Jacob's Center from garden

Today the relocated residence is open as a living museum. The home is a hand crafted masterpiece that Sam refined and enhanced over a forty year period.Once again, each room is filled with treasures that give this unique home its spirit. The woodshops were moved to the new site, as were many of the trees from the former Maloof property. The landscaping consists of a garden of water-wise California native plants and compatible plants from other Mediterranean climate zones. Benches, sculpture, and picnic areas offer spaces for visitors’ quiet reflection and relaxation.

The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation was established in 1994 so that the State could fund the move.  It's committed to creating a pre-eminent center that preserves the Maloof’s legacy and fosters the arts and crafts movement. The work of the Foundation recognizes the ever increasing role of the crafts in our world of machine-made products – the reconnecting of human values with natural forms and materials.

Sam seating peg over screw on a chair

A principal responsibility of the Foundation is protection and conservation of the structures, art, furnishings, and grounds entrusted to it. The historic residence itself is one of the most treasured parts of the collection, reflecting the living spirit of the arts and crafts movement throughout. The Foundation also makes the Maloof Center available to the public, artists and researchers and is developing a variety of programs, including visiting craftsmen, workshops, and arts and crafts exhibits. The Jacobs Education Center provides gallery and meeting space.

After the move, Sam continued to create furniture at the new site and to add to his fine art collection that encompasses work from all media, including many renowned artists. including personal friends Maria Martinez, Millard Sheets, Harrison McIntosh, Paul Soldner, Kay Sekimachi, and Bob Stocksdale.

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