Join historians and authors Mike Phipps and Don Holmgren in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the cable cars in San Francisco. Phipps and Holmgren illuminate Hallidie's journey to California, his wire rope use in the gold mines, plans for the Clay St Hill cable car and subsequent involvement in the patents, and Pacific Cable […]
Oldest San Francisco focuses on the institutions that have helped make San Francisco San Francisco, featuring brief histories of its oldest restaurant (Tadich), oldest bakery (Boudin), oldest scientific institution (the Cal Academy). It speaks of civic fabrics—the oldest extant blue jeans (held in a vault at Levi’s) and first rainbow flag (exhibited at the GLBT Historical […]
with author Selby Wynn Schwartz in conversation with Professor Loretta Stec Join Selby Wynn Schwartz in conversation with Professor Loretta Stec on her debut novel After Sappho, an invigorating tale of women whose narratives converge and splinter as they forge queer identities and claim the right to their own lives.
Mechanics' Institute is delighted to collaborate with Catamaran to celebrate their Fall 2023 edition. Featured writers include Stephen D. Gutierrez, Sean Stiny, Yaccaria Salvatierra, Dion O'Reilly, Jeff Ewing, Dan Haifley, and John Briscoe, who will read from their works.
a panel with children's book authors Marcus Ewert, Jasmine Stirling, and Sarah and Ian Hoffman This panel of award-winning children's book authors will delve into the rapidly escalating national crisis of book banning—from what it’s like to be a banned creator, to what citizens can do to fight back and protect free speech, access […]
Join Wall Street Journal reporter and Pulitzer finalist Katherine Blunt as we examine how a powerful company can put people in a powerless (and deadly) situation. California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric—and What It Means for America's Power Grid is a revelatory, urgent narrative with national implications, exploring the decline of California’s largest utility […]
with author Richard Brandi Between 1905 and 1924, at least 36 San Francisco residence parks, such as St. Francis Wood and Seacliff, were planned with the feeling of living in a park in mind. This fascinating book looks at an unexamined area of San Francisco's architectural history. Join this informative talk and presentation!
with author Cristina Garcia From the acclaimed author of Dreaming in Cuban, a follow-up novel that tracks four generations of the del Pino family against the tumultuous backdrops of Cuba, the U.S., Germany, and Russia in the new millennium.
Hosted by John King, Urban Design Critic of thee San Francisco Chronicle, The Future of Libraries is our featured program for the Annual Architecture + the City Festival presented by AIA-SF. This event will feature architects Christopher Noll, FAIA, LEED AP and Trina Goodwin, LEED AP from Noll & Tam Architects, representatives from WRNS Studio […]
a discussion and reading with memoirist Isidra Mencos and fiction writer Leslie Kirk Campbell Isidra Mencos and Leslie Kirk Campbell will discuss what drew them to writing books that investigate the topic of the female body. They will share ways women (themselves included) have felt shame about their bodies and how both societal expectations and […]
with authors Linda Joy Myers (The Forger of Marseilles) and Leslie Absher (Spy Daughter, Queer Girl) Join us as we examine two new books about espionage—one fiction, one non-fiction. Linda Joy Myers' novel The Forger of Marseille undertakes topics not often covered in WWII fiction: life in Marseilles, forging documents, and details of escaping on foot over […]
Gather 'round as a family to hear stories and make crafts nestled in the Library of the Mechanics' Institute! We’ll read 2-4 stories appropriate for children ages 5-6 and younger plus make a fun craft to take home. All are welcome - bring the kids and grandkids for a story filled morning. Family Story Time […]