"Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room SAN FRANCISCO, CA - (December 4, 2025) - The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, "Making History Fun Again," designed to honor the city's legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder ofEmperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine , appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco's most beloved and eccentric historical figures."
"As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city's colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible...making him the perfect guest for the series' second installment."
"In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours ( emperornortontour.com ), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico," is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations ."
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel continues a new monthly speaker series, Making History Fun Again, to celebrate San Francisco's past through storytelling. On January 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in The Redwood Room, Joseph Amster will appear in character as Emperor Norton. Amster is a California native, journalist, historian, and performer who founded Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine and Time Machine Tours. He has led immersive walking tours, taught local history, and performed as Emperor Norton for more than a decade. His portrayal blends historical accuracy with theatrical flair and is sought after for events and lectures.
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