(10.9) Back by popular demand. In anticipation of Saturday’s Providence Preservation Society Gala Fundraiser (to be held in the Superman Building), Matthew D. Bird (RISD faculty — History of Industrial Design) will repeat his “A View From the Clouds: The Skyscraper and the Airship”
After presenting to a sold out crowd at the Brick School House last spring, Matthew Bird is back with a revised lecture focusing on Providence’s own 1928 Industrial Trust Co. Building, or The Superman Building. Matthew will delve into the myth and mystery surrounding the tower’s early history, including rumors that a dirigible port was designed for the 29th floor. On the evening of Saturday, October 13, outsiders will get the chance to explore this historic building at the PPS Annual Gala (tickets on sale now).
I went to this lecture and slideshow last year. The topic is fascinating and Matthew Bird is wildly entertaining. The slideshow included images and news reports from the archives as well as his own recent pix from the interior of the top floor of the old Industrial Trust Building. (This image here is Bird’s own fanciful recreation of something that never happened.) This is a good time and you learn stuff. Free for PPS members.
$5 non-members, 6pm reception, 6:30pm presentation, Tuesday, October 9, Brick Schoolhouse, 24 Meeting Street, 401.831.7440
Beth-
MANY thanks for the kind review! I feel EXTRA pressure now to live up to a reputation I didn’t know I had: “wildly entertaining!” Well, I’ll do what I can tonight. At least I wore orange; that always helps distract people (and maybe create the impression of entertainment!).
Matt
The most brilliant, erudite, hilarious, imaginative talk ever given in the history of the universe, do not miss it!