Society for Commercial Archeology

10/13/2026

Last chance to sign up for this Wednesday’s ZOOM EVENT:

Verdiana Peron – Motorway Bridge Restaurants: Studies Towards the Preservation of Italian “Over-the-Tollway” Architecture

Wednesday, October 14th at 8:00pm EDT

Italy’s motorway restaurant network stands as one of the most compelling expressions of Italy’s postwar experimentation, developing alongside the national motorway system between 1955 and 1975. Italian architects pioneered these motorway service areas while drawing inspiration from American fast-food models. The fourteen bridge restaurants are particularly significant for their architectural and symbolic value, as well as their distinctive engagement with the surrounding landscape. These architectural “machines” for consumption and rest quickly became iconic landmarks for generations of Italian motorists.
Join Verdiana Peron as she explores the history and significance of these remarkable roadside buildings and the threats they face today.

FREE

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/verdiana-peron-motorway-bridge-restaurants-registration-1997270120696?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/11/2026

Things to value

10/08/2026

Join the SCA for our next ZOOM EVENT:

Verdiana Peron – Motorway Bridge Restaurants: Studies Towards the Preservation of Italian “Over-the-Tollway” Architecture

Wednesday, October 14th at 8:00pm EDT

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/verdiana-peron-motorway-bridge-restaurants-registration-1997270120696?aff=oddtdtcreator

Italy’s motorway restaurant network stands as one of the most compelling expressions of Italy’s postwar experimentation, developing alongside the national motorway system between 1955 and 1975. Italian architects pioneered these motorway service areas while drawing inspiration from American fast-food models. The fourteen bridge restaurants are particularly significant for their architectural and symbolic value, as well as their distinctive engagement with the surrounding landscape. These architectural “machines” for consumption and rest quickly became iconic landmarks for generations of Italian motorists.
Join Verdiana Peron as she explores the history and significance of these remarkable roadside buildings and the threats they face today.

FREE
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/verdiana-peron-motorway-bridge-restaurants-registration-1997270120696?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/08/2026

10/04/2026

Certainly among the oldest roadside signs in the United States?

The Northern Turnpike was established in 1799 to run from Lansingburgh to Granville, New York. Construction took place between 1800 and 1801. About ten of the original marble mile markers remain. There is also a surviving carriage step at the 3-mile marker.

See map and more info: https://www.nydiners.com/nond/ntpke/ntpke.html

10/04/2026

Classics

09/27/2026

Setting things straight

09/24/2026

Sign up for advocacy alerts to help defend the National Historic Preservation Act.

09/23/2026

Register for our next Zoom Event on October 14th.

Italy’s motorway restaurant network stands as one of the most compelling expressions of Italy’s postwar experimentation, developing alongside the national motorway system between 1955 and 1975. Join Verdiana Peron as she explores the history and significance of these remarkable roadside buildings and the threats they face today.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm Eastern: Italy’s motorway restaurant network stands as one of the most compelling expressions of Italy’s postwar experimentation, developing alongside the national motorway system between 1955 and 1975. Join Verdiana Peron as she explores the history and sign...

09/22/2026

Ushering in Fall with the Fall issue of the SCA Road Notes, dropping into our members’ mailboxes. What a summer it was, with the neon shining bright. 📬