About

Located in Santa Rosa, California

The original building was constructed in 1896 as Sperry Flour Mill. Trains would pull-up along the west side of the warehouse to unload the grain, and trucks would pickup the flour on the east side of the building before distributing throughout the city. During the Great Earthquake of 1906, part of the building closest to the tracks was damaged, yet the mill was back in production within five months.

Sonoma County Local Community Outreach Non-Profit Organization

The Arlene Francis Foundation acquired the building in 1996 for the purpose of providing educational and cultural activities to benefit Sonoma County. from 1997 – 2008 the Foundation partnered with San Francisco’s progressive New College of California to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community for students seeking to link their education with positive social and environmental change.

Historic Sperry Flour Mill building, now Arlene Francis Center, featuring brick exterior, blue door, and signage, set in a community space with greenery and parking area.
Interior view of the Arlene Francis Center, featuring exposed brick walls, a performance stage with black curtains, and sound equipment, illustrating the community space for educational and cultural activities.
Historic brick building exterior of the Arlene Francis Center, featuring wooden accents, metal railings, and double doors, reflecting its transformation from the Sperry Flour Mill to a community hub in Santa Rosa, California.
Interior view of the Arlene Francis Center, showcasing a stage area with a black curtain, wooden seating, exposed brick walls, and industrial lighting, reflecting its history as a community hub for cultural and educational activities.
Historic Arlene Francis Center building, formerly Sperry Flour Mill, featuring brick exterior, blue door, and AFC sign, surrounded by greenery and parking area.
Historic brick building exterior of the Arlene Francis Center, featuring a blue door, potted plants in windows, and a community bulletin board, highlighting its role as a cultural hub in Sonoma County.
Blue door on brick wall of the Arlene Francis Center, showcasing community engagement with potted plants and historical architecture.
Blue door on brick wall of Arlene Francis Center, with potted plants on window ledge and surrounding outdoor area, reflecting community engagement and historical architecture.

The Arlene Francis Center was founded in 2009 with the intention of manifesting a space where the community could foster a new social climate and seek new ways of being. We wish to embody a model of what the future society might look like, in a way that inspires others to create their own affiliated efforts in creating a better world.

This very special place is known to many as a true community center that feels like home. It is a space cared for by dedicated community members, neighbors, and friends working together to design and produce a variety of multi-cultural and inter-generational activities, events, and projects!

Explore Our Events / Calendar On Our Website

Please see our Events Calendar
Or Upcoming and Ongoing Events List

Events Calendar
Upcoming / Ongoing Events List

If looking for a specific event or for booking, please see our contact page.
We also love to receive feedback about the website and how things can improve.