KNIGHT FOUNDRY … PRESERVING OUR HISTORY
Sutter Creek’s Historic, Industrial Crown Jewel. The Knight Foundry, set in the heart of Sutter Creek, California, is America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop. Established in 1873 by Samuel Knight, this extraordinary facility includes the unique historic equipment and machinery, still in place in its original context, just as it was during its Gold Rush-era heyday.
Knight Foundry is nationally recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and a California Registered Historical Landmark. The Foundry is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s eleven most endangered historic places.
Amador’s Heritage
As a part of Amador County’s industrial heritage corridor, the Knight Foundry will join the Kennedy Mine, Kennedy Tailing Wheels, Central Eureka Mine, and Miners’ Bend Park to tell the story of how local industry created, and then contributed to, the viability of the Mother Lode communities of Sutter Creek, Amador City, Jackson, and others. The Foundry will serve as an educational resource that provides a unique window into Amador’s history and heritage.
Upcoming Event: Mark your calendar for Feast at the Foundry: September 20th, 2025.
A Unique Educational Facility
The Knight Foundry is a premier relic of Mother Lode gold mining history. From precision equipment for our hard-rock gold mines, to the lights of San Francisco, to the impulse turbine systems that powered many of the state’s hydroelectric plants, the Foundry literally helped to build California. When restoration is completed, this unique facility will allow partnership opportunities for high schools, colleges, and universities to provide hands-on training to engineering, museum studies, and history students, and will be a center for teaching crafts and skills that are in danger of dying out.
A National Mechanical Engineering Monument
The Knight Foundry is the last water-powered foundry and machine shop in America, and one of the nation’s best preserved 19th-century industrial complexes. The preservation and restoration of the Knight Foundry provides an unparalleled opportunity to protect the history of industrial technologies as they were traditionally implemented, and to pass them on to future generations.
I really enjoyed the talk at the start and the explanations by the volunteers as I walked through your facility.
— Tony, November 2024
I love what you are all doing to save this valuable historic site. Good going!!!
— David, August 2024
Every single volunteer was so nice! If I lived closer, I would definitely sign up to help!!!!
— Lynn, September 2023
You have one of the coolest living museums anywhere.
— Bob, July 2023
Compliments on what you have all done to bring the Foundry back to life. It’s a history of technology treasure.
— Bill, November 2023
The part of history you bring back to life for the public to see and enjoy is a noble undertaking.
— Mike, April 2024
Every tour guide seemed informed, interested, and committed to making our visit worthwhile.
— Vicki, November 2023
My wife and I are regular visitors to Sutter Creek. We’ve actually never visited Sutter Creek without visiting the Foundry and Gift Shop.
— James, October 2023
What a great thing this is!
— Lisa, March 2022
EXPERIENCE THE KNIGHT FOUNDRY
Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek is America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop and a premier relic of Mother Lode gold mining history.
Join us for our Open Saturdays on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, year-round.
ABOUT THE 2nd SATURDAY TOURS
Explore Historic Knight Foundry in action as our docent’s fire up their historic forges, bring antique machinery to life and demonstrate the fascinating art of sand casting. With our expert docents on hand, you’ll tour at your own pace, discovering stories and skills from a bygone era.
ABOUT THE 4th SATURDAY TOURS
Step back in time to explore Sutter Creek’s historic gem, Knight Foundry. Discover our new self-guided video tours at your own pace, with either your cell phone or our tablets, as you walk throughout the foundry. The Knight Foundry self-guided tour is a unique experience, not to be missed.
Planning to visit the Knight Foundry? You can take home a remembrance from the KF Gift Shop!
Or you can order online through our website gift shop.
Meet the Knight Foundry Alliance Founding Board of Directors
Frank Cunha, Carma Zisman, Robin Peters, Josie Cadieux-Faillers, Ed Arata, Mimi Arata, Ronald Edgar, and Joe Harralson