Fireside Meeting - November 2026

Around 1800, builders erected one bridge at a time. Within 50 years, they were constructing hundreds of thousands. Historian and curator Gregory Dreicer investigates how innovators developed mass construction strategies essential to industrialization and nation building . . . and why you’ve never heard this story before. In a talk that springs from his book, American Bridge: Reinventing Building, Making History, Dreicer challenges two centuries of evolutionist and nationalist narratives. These tales continue to determine how we understand technology and each other.

Members come early for social time at 6:30 p.m. and the Club business meeting at 7 p.m., followed by the Fireside presentation at 7:30 p.m. for what promises to be an engaging and insightful event.

The Hillside Club Fireside meetings are held on the first Monday of most months (January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, and November).

They are open to the public and admission is free to members, with a suggested donation for non-members. No one is turned away for lack of funds. The meetings begin with social time for members, a brief Club business meeting, followed by a featured speaker.

Monday, November 2nd will feature:

6:30pm Member Social Time

7:00pm Club Business Meeting

7:30pm A talk by curatorial strategist, experience designer, historian, and writer, Gregory Dreicer

Fireside Meetings are for civic engagement, a good way to see the club and get to know the members. Club members, our neighbors, and the general public are encouraged to attend.