Thumbs-up, retro Muni bus

I spotted this fella while walking past the Potrero Division bus yard on Bryant and Mariposa. It reminds me of (my impression of) San Francisco in the 1970s, an era I’d choose to revisit in a heartbeat should that time-machine thing work ever out.

You know this lot. It’s got that nifty web of electrical lines running above its sleeping coaches. Heather and Ed took some Muni-themed wedding photos there, as we posted about earlier this year. And then there’s all the other stuff you haven’t told us (now’s your chance!).

So, kudos, Retro Bus. If you’ve got other transit ephemera, share it with the Muni Time Capsule.

Introducing Muni Time Capsule

Today we’re unveiling a new addition to the Muni Diaries community: say hello to Muni Time Capsule, a digital archive of transit ephemera from days gone by. We know that public transportation is an essential experience in our urban life in San Francisco, so what was Muni like before the present time?

The idea for Muni Time Capsule started when one day, Jeff’s former co-worker walked into the office with a box of Muni memorabilia. Inside were old schedules, service change pamphlets (sometimes for service increases, if you can believe it), maps, photos, and various ephemera that we couldn’t believe we were lucky enough to see.

You’ll see some of the great items from the box on the site, but that’s not all. As with Muni Diaries, Muni Time Capsule is a collaborative process. This is a place where you can help build a digital time capsule of life on public transit in San Francisco, and a place for you to share your favorite images and stories of Muni from back in the day.

We’re celebrating Muni Time Capsule and our collective love for the city today at the Muni Diaries and I Live Here:SF Happy Hour at SOMArts, 5-8 p.m.. There will be food carts, drinks, amazing photography and art, and you can even write your own Muni story and caption your own Muni cartoons. So, please, meander over to Muni Time Capsule, take a look around, and we will see you this evening!

Happy Hours with Muni Diaries and I Live Here:SF (update)


Photo by Alyssa Jones

What is happening here? Is that a real Muni shelter inside SOMArts gallery?

Yup, and next Wednesday you’ll be able to drink under the bus stop at the Muni Diaries Happy Hours, in conjunction with I Live Here:SF and SOMArts.

For one night, SOMArts will become a space for you to record your own Muni story for a digital story capsule. We will be on hand to record your story, whether it’s audio, video, text, or art, in the Muni Diaries story booth — under a real Muni shelter. This was a really amazing feat, thanks to the help of SFMTA. We could hardly believe it when the shelter was delivered to the gallery.

Your stories will be collected on a new page we’ll be unveiling on Muni Diaries called Muni Time Capsule, a treasure trove of photos, schedules, maps, stories (we hope!), and ephemera from Muni days gone by.

Inside the gallery you’ll see photographs by Julie Michelle, the mastermind behind I Live Here:SF, art by Chris Rusak, and collection of film archived by Rick Prelinger.

Update: And did we mention the food that will be on-hand to help you sop up your happy hour libations? Well, we’re pleased to announce that Sataysfied, Casey’s Pizza, and Nosh This will on hand to help keep you satisfied.

Details:
Happy Hours with Muni Diaries and I Live Here:SF
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SOMArts: 934 Brannan Street (cross street is 8th Street)
Take Muni there: 12, 19, 27, 47.

The main gallery is packed with so much great stuff, you’d have to come see it for yourself. A sneak peek:

i live here: SF opening reception
Photo by somarts


Photo by  Donald Kinney

Art by Chris Rusak — you should read about how his work at SOMArts is inspired by the stories of the portrait subjects.

IMG_7555
Photo by Lee de Broff

Eden from Secession Art and Design will also be there with the transit-themed shirts and onesies you loved so much at our last event. See you next Wednesday!

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