Festivities Conversation
Fire and Clay Book Launch with Will Quam and Geoffrey Baer
Tuesday, May 5 6:00-7:30 pm Buy Tickets General Admission: $20 | Member: $15 | Student: $10
Join local architecture historian and photographer Will Quam and Emmy-winning Public Television writer, producer, and host Geoffrey Baer as they celebrate the launch of Quam’s new book, Fire and Clay: How Brick Reveals the Hidden History of Chicago. In this first-of-its-kind book, Will Quam takes readers on a journey through Chicago history, tracing the evolution of brick from a simple fireproof building material to a key element of architectural design that connects Chicagoans across time and space.
Following the conversation, join us for a book signing with Will Quam. Limited copies of Fire and Clay will be available for purchase at the event. To you’ll get a copy, order ahead from the Museum Store using the link below!
Purchase your copy of Fire and Clay in advance from the Driehaus Museum Store here.
About the Speakers
Will Quam is an architecture historian and photographer. Since 2016, he’s shared Chicago’s architecture and history through his project Brick of Chicago, also leading award-winning walking tours for thousands across the city. His photographs and expertise have been featured by PBS Chicago, The Chicago Tribune, Block Club Chicago, McSweeney’s, and more. You can find him at @brickofchicago on Instagram.
Geoffrey Baer is a ten-time Emmy-winning Public Television writer, producer, and program host. He has been a fixture on Chicago’s PBS station WTTW for 30 years, best known as the host and writer of WTTW’s popular specials about the architecture and history of Chicago and its suburban areas. His work includes more than 25 feature-length
“television tours” including Chicago by ‘L’, The Chicago River Tour, and Chicago on Vacation. Geoffrey hosted the WTTW series The Great Chicago Quiz Show and appeared for years on WTTW’s flagship nightly public affairs program Chicago Tonight answering viewers’ questions about Chicago architecture and history in a segment called “Ask Geoffrey.” Nationally he hosted the PBS primetime series 10 that Changed America about the built environment across the country. He also hosted and co-wrote the PBS primetime special Weekend in Havana.
Geoffrey has been a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center since 1987. In addition to his Emmy Awards, he has been honored by the American Institute of Architects Chicago, the Society of Architectural Historians, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Chicago Headline Club. He holds a B.A. in Radio/TV/Film from Miami University, Ohio, and a M.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University.