The American Sign Museum

Now the Fun Really Begins. Want to Help?

2012-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

Close the current site with a flourish. Check.
This past Saturday was our last day open at Essex Studios. We finished our seven-year run there with an Open House that was a great success thanks to our Board members, staff, and volunteers. And especially thanks to our faithful supporters and to our new friends who came to the museum for the first time as a result of hearing about the event through the local media - particularly a great spread in the Cincinnati Enquirer, thanks to reporter Brent Coleman. Here are some picures of the event.

Board member Chris Danforth
calls upon his popcorn making skills
learned when he was a movie
theater employee.

Volunteer Gary Young creating
cotton candy masterpieces.

Folks of all ages came to see us.

Even Kahnie the Pig
came to help celebrate!

Let's not forget, it's all about the signs

Get Certificate of Occupancy for the new site. Check!
There are still some details to finish with the rehab of the building, but we now have our certificate of occupancy. Now we can really start to play. The storefronts are coming along and are looking great. The Speedee and HoJo signs are in place, and the folks at NeonWorks are busy bringing them back to life. All of our smaller items that have been stored elsewhere have been moved to the new site, and now we can begin dismantling the Essex exhibits and moving them as well. Here are some pictures of our progress.

Create a Posse of Volunteers and New/Continuing Supporters.

Here's where you come in. There are a lot of ways you can help:

Lenny Diaspro is a volunteer
docent at the museum

Volunteer to help us move. We can't say exactly when at this time, but if you are willing, we've got a job for you! And if you have a truck or van you would be willing to use to help us move, all the better. Contact us at info@signmuseum.org.

Volunteer at the new site. This is a ways out, but we will be looking for greeters, tour guides, and more to be a part of the museum experience once we open. And we'll want you to be ready to go well before we actually open our doors. Contact us at info@signmuseum.org.

Samples of small items

Donate a small item for a storefront. Salesman's kit, samples, early materials... we're open to suggestion. If you have something that might be of interest, send us a photo and the pertinent information at info@signmuseum.org.

Become a part of the museum through a financial donation you will be able to see at work:

Adopt a Sign - contribute to the restoration of a sign. Your efforts will be recognized alongside the sign.

Purchase a Paver - get in on the ground floor, literally, by purchasing a paver engraved with your personal message on it.

Sample panel

Paint a panel - are you a sign painter? Purchase a panel you can paint with your own message, logo, whatever, and see it on display in our lobby.

Sponsor a storefront or exhibit area. For this, you'll need to contact us directly.

Become a member. This tried and true method of support is always needed to support general operations.

There are lots of fun ways to get in on the action. Join us!

It's the Little Things...

2011-11-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

The greatlyexpanded new home of the museum has created the opportunity for many more specialized displays of sign-related items. Construction has been proceeding full-speed ahead at our newhome since it began back in mid-August,and by mid-December, we should have occupancy. There’s still plenty of work to doin refining the exhibits and displays, but the biggest task will begin in January, when we start to move the contents of our original home over to thenew building.

I’m often asked if we have enough signs to fill the newhome. My usual response is, “More than enough." What we still are searchingfor, however, are the smaller items which will accompany the signs on display.

We’re also greatly expanding the number of storefronts whosewindows become our themed display cases. The Camp Washingtonsite will have 14 storefronts spread out along the Signs on Main Street area. The various themed areas—signpainting,goldleaf, lightbulb signs, etc. will also have featured displays with themeslike smalts, opal glass letters, etc.

You can help.

If you know me, you know I amparticularly fond of salesman samples. These are the items you may have in your back closets, under your workbenches or maybe on some forgotten back wall that once served as a salesroom. They can be free-standing orwall-mounted, in a display case or loose in your bottom drawer. Whatever form they might take, we’re lookingfor such donations.

We recently acquired two such salesman’s samples. One was gift of the museum’s go-toexpert on vintage point-of-purchase signs—Dave Greene of Cincinnati. He usually exhibits at the bi-annual Antique Advertising Show at theIndianapolis Fairgrounds, so he’s wheeling and dealing with the other dealerseven before the show opens to the public.

When he saw the woodgrained porcelain enamel sample (see photo), he snatched it up right away, saying, “This one’s forthe museum.” When I walked into the show thatSaturday morning, he walked up and presented it tome. “Thought you’d like this,” hesaid. Indeed, I do, and it’ll find aprominent place in our porcelain enamel area.

He wasn’t finished. He next pulled out an original Zippo lighter box. “Here, I found this, too. It’ll look good in the museum as well.” In the palm of his hand was a Neon Productsengraved lighter with the copy, “30^th anniversary.” Very cool.

The other new salesman sample acquisition was purchased fromWayne Woodrum of Wayne’sNeon Clocks, who often shares a booth with Dave. It's a pre-WWII salesmansample Glo-Dial clock in its original salesman “suitcase.” The clock face is porcelain with a uranium glassborder tube and two tubes encased in the bezel of the clock—one clear red, theother clear blue. These internal tubescan be turned on and off with an independent switch. It’s a killer piece and will be a greataddition to our exhibit of neon clocks.

We’re always looking for more salesmansamples—whether they’re from sign product manufacturers or custom-made samplesfrom sign companies. Ad specialty itemssuch as lighters, yardsticks, paperweights, match packs, pens, etc. are alsowanted.

Remember, it's the little things.So before you toss it out, call Tod at the American Sign Museum@ 513-258-4020 or e-mail with a photo: tod@signmuseum.org . You, too, can be a part of your industry’svery own museum.

West Coast Bar-B-Q Heads to Beantown for a Makeover

2011-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

In a cooperative effort with the Museum of Neon Art (MONA), the pole
sign came to the American Sign Museum, with the remainder going to MONA

This grand sign once heralded Store #5, thought to have been located just blocks from the Peterson Car Museum in Los Angeles. When it came to us, already in disrepair, it suffered further indignities at the hands of passers-by while it waited in the Essex Studios parking lot for a home at our new site. We eventually were able to move it and other equally defaced signs to the new site, but the damage was done.

The United-Maier crew assesses several signs on their way
to safety at the American Sign Museum's new site

Imagine our delight when Andy Puopolo, owner of East Coast Sign Company, Inc. of Stoneham, Massachusetts, asked about restoring a sign for the museum. We suggested Chris' & Pitt's, and he agreed.

That was the easy part. Getting it to Andy was another matter entirely! The height of the sign measured 13' 4" on the trailer, making for anticipated tight squeezes under overpasses and sundry cables. Wishing to visit sign shops along the way added to the adventure, resulting in some long-distance backing up and just a few go-arounds!

Kahnie the Pig looks on as the Chris & Pitts sign heads out

The weight of the sign made for additional fun in removing it from the trailer, but it's now, waiting patiently at its adopted home to be brought back to life again.

Unloading at East Coast Sign Company

I should aso mention that John Brandmeier, Sales Manager of Matthews Paint, had offered to provide the paint gratis for future museum restorations. Chris' & Pitt's will be the first such project.

The sign needs a total re-paint, in addition to neon repair of the vintage noviol gold glass in the open channel letters and the blue border tubes. Can't wait to see it back to its former self again! Stay tuned...

In the meantime we have several other signs waiting to be adopted. If you're interested in restoring a sign - or paying to have a sign restored - give me a call (513-258-4020) or send me an email. I'm sure we can find a perfect match for you!

The Devil, As They Say, Is in the Details

2011-11-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

Tod talks with workers about painting the ceiling

It seemed simple enough. We had the money, we had the blueprints, we certainly had the motivation.

And so it began. Ceilings were knocked out, the floor was poured. Framing, painting, electrical, HVAC, all in their turn. And each needing more decisions than anyone should have to make in a day.

And so it continued. Bathroom fixtures, IT needs, gift shop design. But oh, the joy in seeing it come together more each day!

Can you see it?

The building itself is on target for completion by the end of the year. And then the REAL fun begins! Fabricating displays, furnishing the lobby, developing programs for a great museum experience, moving EVERYTHING from EVERYWHERE and consolidating it all into THE NEW AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM, complete with library/archives, event center, and, of course, signs, signs, signs!

The Main Street storefronts are taking shape

Did I say we had the money? Well, yes, we DO have the money to rehab the building. Creating the complete package we can all be proud of and sustaining it is something else again. But we're on it, and confident 'investors' will come forward to sponsor areas of the museum, adopt a sign, participate in our purchase a paver / paint a panel program, or any of many other ways to be a part of the museum.

If YOU would like to join in, send me an email or give me a call at 513-258-4020 anytime. Together, we'll find the perfect project for you. The more, the merrier!

Our first storefront, brought panel by panel from the Over the Rhine
area of Cincinnati. Can you see the 'No Guns' sticker?

No detail too small for creating 'the Experience'!

See you at the Grand Opening!

It's Hammer Time!

2011-10-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

If you look VERY carefully at this rendering of the new museum site and squint just right, you might spot a hammer-shaped sign in the mix. Can you see it?

The Gross Hardware sign, from Columbus, Indiana, was given to the museum several years ago. Sadly when the business closed, the neon was removed and the hammer primed out. There were no graphics left, which made the sign that rare candidate for repainting.

Dan Kasper, now retired president of Harmon Sign/Planet Neon, and former museum board member, agreed to restore the sign, so it traveled directly from Columbus, Indiana to Toledo, Ohio, where it was lovingly restored to its original glory.

Susan Kuntz, veteran Harmon employee since 1976,
carefully brings the Gross Hardware sign back to life.

We recently traveled to Toledo to retreive the sign.

Scott Markley helps prepare our trailer
to transport is valuable cargo.

And now, not only are the MacDonald's and Howard Johnson signs anchored and the store fronts taking shape, but the hammer sign is in the wings (read: parking lot) waiting to take its place on Main Street.

Thanks to everyone who helped bring this great sign back to life on its way to the museum for all to enjoy at our new site when we open this spring.

What Beats Saving a Sign? Saving the Storefront It Occupied Too!

2011-09-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Rohs True Value Hardware opened it's doors in 1933 under the management of its proprietor, Albert G. Rohs, on Vine Street in the Over the Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.

Rohs Hardware in 2008
Photo courtesy of www.buycincy.com

Al Rohs with just
some of his wares
Photo courtesy of
www.buycincy.com

I was first drawn to the neon-illuminated, porcelain enamel letters that fronted the building. So, last spring when I saw a 'Going Out of Business' sign in the window, I approached the current owner — Albert R. Rohs, Albert G's son — about the donating the letters to the American Sign Museum.

Then I noticed the storefront had been retrofitted with porcelain enamel panels, and I thought to myself, “What a great addition the façade would make to our ‘Signs on Main Street’ exhibit area.

When Rohs closed, a local developer named Rick Kimbler of Northpointe Realty, Cincinnati acquired the building. I asked him about plans for the porcelain panels, and he said they would probably remove and discard them. I told him of my plans, and he thought it an appropriate re-use. He would talk with his general contractor, Bill Baum of Cincinnati-based Urban Sites, about the idea.

Baum followed up, giving us a basic go-ahead and suggesting we meet to discuss coordinating the removal of the porcelain letters and panels. But when I met Baum and architect Mark Gunther of Wichman Gunther Architects later that week, Gunther said, “There’s a good deal of Federal money financing the redevelopment,” said Gunther, “and we have to meet historic preservation criteria. Odds are removing the panels will jeopardize the federal money.” My heart sank. “Let me research it,” Gunther said. We would just have to wait for the verdict.

Then, the local daily—Cincinnati Enquirer—featured the museum’s new home in its Labor Day weekend Sunday edition. Mention of the possible reuse of the Rohs storefront prompted Albert’s daughter, Karen Rohs Laib, to e-mail the reporter about how great it would be if the Rohs storefront went to the museum. I sent copies off to all the parties involved.

A few weeks later, Bill Baum called. “Hey, they’re all yours,” he said. Sean Druley, who is building the displays and exhibits at our new home, friend Toby Costello, and I set out on a Tuesday afternoon, grateful that the rain of the day before and earlier that day had stopped. By 5:00 that afternoon, we had all the panels and letters down and strapped onto the trailer, far ahead of our schedule. Wednesday—our original completion day—it rained from dawn to dusk. It was just one of those meant-to-be projects.

Toby Costello (left) and Sean Druley (right) removing the letters and panels
that will be reassembled along Signs on Main Street at the American Sign Museum

What do Two Genies, a Pig, and a Bowling Pin Have in Common?

2011-09-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

Museum founder Tod Swormstedt's article from Signs of the Times Magazine, October, 2012

We actually have two genies, one at each entrance
of the current and new sites. We plan to install the
current site genie atop the front building at the new
site, where he will beckon travelers on I-75.

The outdoor area of the Museum’s new home is starting tolook like it's going to feature the three-dimensional fiberglass “sculptures”that were so popular in the mid 1950s through the late 1960s. Our20-ft. tall genie, which has become somewhat of a mascot, now stands overthe walkway atop two 12-ft. poles at the museum’s entrance. Two other additions—a 16-ft. longtrailer-mounted pink pig and the most recent acquisition, a 16-ft. tall 3Dbowling pin—now sit outside in the parking lot awaiting installation.

“Kahnie” as the pig was appropriately (and affectionately)named, was donated by Kahn’s, a Cincinnatimeatpacking company now under the umbrella of Sara Lee foods. Kahnie had long been a favorite participantin Cincinnatievents, and is most remembered for her appearance in the annual Cincinnati RedsOpening Day parade. In keeping withcurrent trends, Kahnie was replaced by an inflatable counterpart, whoseflexibility promoted more practical transportation and set-up. Word has it that Kahnie is already adaptingto her new home.

Kahnie and genie at night, taken before Pinhead's arrival.

Pinhead is happy to be coming to the
America Sign Museum.

She is being joined by “Pinhead,” a 16-ft. tall fiberglassbowling pin that originally identified Greenbrook Lanes in Greenbrook, NJ. The acquisition began when Phil Smith, Jr.and his father, Phil, Sr., of Ace Sign Company in Perth Amboy, walked up to meat the USSC Sign World show in Atlantic City last year. They told me that they had this huge bowling pinthat had been leaning up against their shop for at least 15 years and wanted toknow if the museum was interested in it. I responded with an enthusiastic yes and told them I’d be up that waythe following May and could they hold onto until then.

Phil, Jr. later told me the whole story. “The bowling pin had been a local icon sincethe late 1950s,” he explained, “but the owner sold the business and opened anew bowling alley in nearby Manville and asked us to move the pin. He told us we didn’t need to install it: ‘Justmove it to my new place and tie it down with ropes and I’ll install it myselflater.’”

“It was too long afterwards,” continued Smith, “that we gota call from the guy saying the police had called him, telling him to get thebowling pin out of the middle of the street ASAP or face the consequences. He had obviously not mounted the big guyproperly. We went over and brought itback to the shop to await further instruction and never head from the guyagain. That was at least 15 years ago.”

Smith went on to tell me that the smiling face was addedsometime during its tenure at Greenbrook, and that a tin-sheathed plywood tophat was added to top him off. The hathad deteriorated over the years.

The bowling pin’s interesting history was not unlike theshop that rescued it. Ace Sign Companywas co-founded in 1928 by Phil, Jr.’s grandfather, David, and his partner, “Ace” Friedman, a former boxer. Ace was the salesman; David was thesignpainter. The shop got a big boostwhen it began doing work for Leon Hess’s oil company, Hess Oil, which wasfounded in Perth Amboy. The shop grew to employ eight signpainters atits height.

ACE Sign Company, the early days.

In the early 1970s, Ace Sign expanded to begin offeringbacklit plastic signs to its local customer base. It continued to maintain its separate neonplant as it had since the beginning. Under Phil, Sr., the shop became a beta site for Gerber ScientificProducts first vinyl cutter in the early 1980s; computerization was fullyintegrated by the late 1980s. AlthoughAce Signs days of employing eight signpainters are gone, it still paints someof Hess Oil’s local storage tanks. Thecompany is currently operated by Phil, Jr. and his brother, David. Father Phil, Sr. is semi-retired.

Phil Jr. shares stories of other fiberglass giants

Following a tour of the shop, Phil Sr. poses with Tod and Pinhead.

Farewell to a Legend

2011-08-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

Quintessential Keith
courtesy of Roberta deBoer

Keith Knecht died early this morning. Quietly. Peacefully.

He knew it was coming. In fact, he had a little something to say in the matter. He chose to stop the procedure that was keeping him alive, because the quality of life it offered just didn't measure up to his standards. That was Keith.

And knowing his own death was imminent, he did what anyone would have done... he threw a party! Scores of his friends from across the country came to Toledo to swap stories and memories and to catch up with old friends not seen - in some cases - for decades. That was Keith.

Those who knew him thank him for friendship, his talent, and his spirit. Perhaps you knew of him. He was that kind of guy. I hope you'll share your Keith stories here.

Below is his obituary, which pretty much sums it up. Rest in peace, old friend.

Keith signing the fantasy show card he had
previously donated to the museum. His brother plans
to donate several more, for which we are very grateful.
Photo courtesy of Bob Behounek

“There’s a race of men that don’t fit in,

A race that can’t stay still…”

Thesewords by Robert W. Service begin one of the favorite poems of Keith Knecht, of Toledo, who died August30, 2011.

Thelast stanza of the poem begins, “He has failed, he has failed…,” but no suchcharge could be made against Keith, whose life was successful precisely becausehe couldn’t and wouldn’t fit in.

Keithwas a pin striper and itinerant sign painter, a man with the soul and gifts ofan artist. His 71 years prove that passion and integrity are sufficient togovern a lifetime. Keith made a living doing what he loved, answering to no onebut himself, and this alone made him rich.

Renowned for his work, he won myriadawards and was frequently interviewed by trade magazines, even appearing incover stories. Years of honors crystallized in 2009, when he became the eighthperson in North
America chosen by his peers for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Receiving this honor in Detroit’s Cobo Hall from the Letterheads (anational brotherhood of sign painters), Keith said: “I got this award forhaving too much fun.”

Untethered by marriage or familyobligations, his art and livelihood allowed him to live much of his life on theroad, brush in hand.

His work was found in Canada, California,Colorado, Florida(and all along the highways leading there), as well as Las Vegas and the East Coast.

Keith stopped painting when he began tolose his vision five years ago, shortly after computers dominated sign painting.Both developments broke Keith’s heart. Of the sorry state of modern signpainting, he said:

“There’s no romance in it anymore. When Ihad a brush in my hand, man, I was at peace. The brush wasn’t an extension ofmy hand, it was my hand. Try getting that out of a computer or some vinylsticker.”

Keith’s death, like his life, occurred onhis terms. Health declining, in late August he ended thrice-weekly dialysis.Two days after his last treatment, he had the pleasure of hosting a party, gatheringfriends from across the country.

This renaissance man – lover of politicaldebate, history, jazz, doo-wop, stylish hats, old movies, Packards, a game ofpool well-played, and all things Art Deco – made his mark and will be missed.

He is survived by his hero and brother,Bruce Knecht, also of Toledo.

As Keith wished, there was a party August26 in place of funeral services, and he thanks his friends for coming. If you’dlike to memorialize Keith, please consider a donation to the American SignMuseum, in Cincinnati, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Yahoo! It's actually happening!

2011-08-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Why is Kahnie the pig so happy?

Thanks to a very generous anonymous gift to the museum’s Capital Fund, we now anticipate completing renovations of our permanent home in January 2012.

The 19,300 sq.ft. facility is about 450% larger than the museum’s current home atEssex Studios in the Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati. The historic building will allow us toconsolidate all operations under one roof, bringing together our extensivecollection of historically significant acquisitions. The collection includes a photo archive filledwith nearly 1200 vintage black-and-white prints and transparencies, as well asa substantial library of more than 800 sign-related books and catalogs.

Signs are lining up in anticipation of moving into their forever home

Workers kick up the dust as
they begin the demo phase

The main area of the museum -- designated “Signs on MainStreet”-- focuses on a street scene characterized by life-size storefrontsstretching along and facing in towards a “town square.” The three-dimensional, period storefrontsserve as a backdrop for a range of historic signs, and the windows of the storefronts showcase smaller signs andsign-related objects.

The 28-ft. high ceilings of the town square area of “Signson Main Street”serve to display some of the museum’s larger signs. Among these are some great American iconsincluding a 1963 Speedee McDonald’s sign and a 1958 Howard Johnson’s sign. Another especially exciting addition will be a working neon shop where museum visitors can watch neon production first-hand.

We are also planning an events area that will enablethe us to transform the museum into an entertainment venue with the latitude to playhost to meetings, seminars, and receptions. A full-scale (16 x 50-ft.) Mail Pouch barnwall sign, rescued from Lanesville, IN, will serve as thebackdrop for such activities.

We are very excited about moving forward on this MAJOR step for the museum and can't wait toshare the grand opening of your American Sign Museum. We hope you're excited too!

But while the gift secures the completion of the general construction, we must raise an additional $200,000 for:

designing, fabricating, and installing the new exhibits
restoring many signs that have been waiting in the wings for their big debut
moving EVERYTHING from our current location
adding the needed technology and furnishings to complete the museum

If you have notsupported the museum in the past, there has never been a better time to doso. There are many ways to join in the excitement and support the museum:

make your mark (literally) with yourpersonal message that will be a part of the museum forever by purchasing apaver or painting a panel that will line the entrance floor and lobby wall, respectively.
restore a sign through our Adopt a Sign program: Sponsor therestoration of a specific sign or even restore a sign in your own shop.
become a member.

To all of you who have supported the museum to date, oursincere thanks. You can be proud for thepart you’ve played in making it all come together. To those of you who are waiting for thechance, there’s still time. Become a member online or contact me at513-258-4020 or tod@signmuseum.org.

Tools of the Trade - Revisiting old traditions

2011-08-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

A while back, I got a call from Bill Blohm, Signs byBlohm of New Milford, NJ. We'd nevermet, but I certainly knew the shop name from the many Signs of the Times articles written bySigns by Blohm Art Director, George Nappi. Bill told me he had some items I might be interested in for the museum.

Signs by Blohm has always been atrue commercial sign shop, serving the diverse needs of the localcommunity. On any given week, this couldbe a couple truck lettering jobs, a banner, some on-site window lettering orwood letter installation, or even a logo on a high school gym floor. The traditional commercial sign shop’s rangeof work was as diverse as the community it served. Consequently, I looked forward to my visitand to the wealth of stories of the unusual jobs Bill could recount in thenearly 60 years he had plied his trade.

I wasn’t disappointed.

As I walked in I met Bill, and his son, Wayne, who was nowrunning the business since his father’s “retirement” about a decade ago. What I wasn’t expecting was the honor to meetGeorge Nappi, whose column I had edited 25 years earlier and who was still inhis element, presiding over the shop’s design from his studio space overlookingthe shop floor below.

The items Bill had to donate to the museum were as rich asthe tradition surrounding the six decades the shop has existed. One of the first items Bill presented was thewooden easel his father, Frederick, had made so as to paint signs in the livingroom of his home. Fred Blohm trained at Cooper Union as an embroidery designer, but wandered intosign painting in the early 1930s.

Several other items had been passed onto Bill by the widowof Matt Senn, a well-known sign painter from Tennafly, NJ. Amongthe items were three brush extenders (seephoto), which could be attached to fitches for wall jobs. Also donated (not pictured) was a box of sheets of black-outlined goldleafletters, which could be cemented onto the reverse sides of windows. The circa 1930s kit was sold by Atlas SignWorks of Chicago, IL.

Bill also donated two 10 x 20-in. design sketches (pictured) created for entry monumentsfor a Dover, NJ housing development during the 1960s building boom, and anAdjusta-Stool—a signpainter’s seat (pictured)used in the shop or on the job that could be adjusted to the surface to belettered. Another donation was a pair ofpre-magnetic sign era temporary vehicle signs that could be lettered and whichhung on the door of a vehicle by the flexible brackets that slid in between thedoor panel and window glass. Billremembers purchasing these in the early 1960s from Dick Blick. Stenciled copy on the inside of the “signs”reads “Pat. Nov. 6, 1923 – Mar. 26, 19__.”

And finally, he donated a metal projecting sign which was an example of signs that were custom-graved with a dentist or doctor’s name, and edge-lit by a fluorescentlamp mounted above the engraved panel. Bill recounts how local regulations prohibited professionals such asdoctors and dentists to identify their offices with letters larger than 2 in.high. As good as the “old days” were. Iguess there were still sign codes to deal with!

Our Save Old Signs Campaign Is Alive and Well

2011-07-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

We welcomed two 1950s era signs to the collection recently, thanks to the efforts of two Michigan sign companies.

The story began more than a year ago, when we got an email from Dave Lindenbach, project manager for RWL Sign Company of Kalamazoo, MI. He explained how they were getting ready to take down the Oasis Liquor sign in nearby Paw Paw, and asked if we would be interested in adding it to the museum's collection. He said he had already approached the owner, Larry Larson, about donating the sign.

Thanks to sign sleuth, Debra Jane Seltzer, we tracked down images of the sign on Flickr and I was able to view the sign illuminated in its better days. As you can see, tt was indeed representative of the type of locally manufactured custom neon signs we and our visitors really treasure, and it was still seen as a local icon. In fact, this original sign was actually replaced by a replica sign, but more about that in a subsequent post...

Photo courtesy of PJ Chmiel of Paw Paw Michigan, home of this great sign.

Lindenbach talked with RWL owner, Robert Leet, who agreed to store the sign for a few months until we could retreive it. Of course, that was back in the summer of 2010. Several planned trips to Michigan just never happened, but RWL continued to store the sign.

Then we got a call from another Michigan sign company—Higgins Signs of East Lansing—who told us about a 1950s era neon sign they were removing, asking us if we were interested. Thanks to Jamie Higgins and his wife, Susan, we learned that the sign was manufactured in 1952 for Moose Lodge #288, which closed some years later. The sign was donated to a second area lodge, #2291. The second lodge could no longer afford to maintain the sign and was looking for a good home for it. That’s when Higgins stepped in and told the fraternal group about the American Sign Museum, and we gladly agreed to the donation.

Ironically, Higgins had actually refurbished the sign 25 years earlier while working for another sign company. He even had slides documenting the work and a handwritten, but thorough, list of the various repaired neon units, including color and tube diameter.

When we got the call from Higgins in January, we planned for a spring trip to Michigan and this past April, actually hit the road—first to East Lansing, and then west 100 miles to Kalamazoo.

What we weren’t prepared for upon arrival at Higgins Signs was the presence of Lansing State Journal reporter, Laura Misjak, and photographer, Rodney Sanford. Also present was Russ Nisse of Moose Lodge #2291, who filled us in on the sign’s history. The next morning, there front and center, was a story on the donation of the Moose Lodge sign. Nice press for the museum.

Loading the Moose Lodge sign

So sincere thanks to Jamie and Susan Higgins, for all their work in making the acquisition happen, and to both Jamie and Pat Burkhardt, who got the sign strapped down that morning. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the dozen cookies Susan baked especially for me.

Thanks also to Dave Lindenbach of RWL who made the Oasis Liquor sign donation possible, and especially to RWL’s Frank Combs, who taught me a few new tricks in rigging the sign that afternoon.

Headed home to the American Sign Museum.

American Pickers We're Not

2011-05-09T09:12:00.001-07:00

[Below is my article from the May issue of Signs of the Times.]
AMERICAN PICKERS WE'RE NOT

The romantic notion of Tod cruising for signs is just that.

I’m often asked, “How do you get all these signs?” The visitor usually begins to answer his own question: “Do you buy them on eBay? Do people call you and say they have a sign for you? Are they donated? Do you drive around like American Pickers?” All apply -- except the American Picker method. The idea that I drive around the country looking for signs is just a romantic notion. The museum doesn’t have the money, or the time.
Increasingly, people call the museum to tell us about a sign for sale or set for the wrecking ball. Or, it may be a sign from the caller’s family business that has succumbed to the economy. Whatever the case, I’ve learned the more I chase a sign, the less likely I’ll succeed. The best signs sometimes fall in our lap. I don’t know if I can attribute it to clean living . . . maybe just good vibes.

Two signs acquired -- ostensibly for our “Signs of Cincinnati” wall in the new home -- provide great examples. The first sign, from Big Top, a long-closed, independent burger joint in Mason, OH, is an example of a chase. The second example, from Suder’s Art Store, is a classic local sign that I had no inkling would ever come down. But, now it sits in the museum’s restoration shop.
The “Big Top” saga traces back six years ago, when I first began receiving phone calls and e-mails about this cool sign on a boarded-up building. To find the owner, I called the city of Mason and contacted other area businesses. I got the owner’s name, and was told he owned a number of pizza establishments. I called several of them asking to speak to the owner. He was never there. Employees offered to take messages, but wouldn’t give out his number. Never a return call.
Late last year, the property was listed for sale. The realtor facilitated talking to the owner in person. After six years, and with help from our friends at United-Maier Signs, we acquired the sign. But, time had taken its toll. In 2005, the paint on the sheetmetal was still in relatively good shape. But, six years later, almost no paint remained. Typically, we don’t like to repaint signs we acquire.
Even worse, a huge crease marred the bottom cabinet of the three-tiered sign. A truck had probably backed into the hapless icon. Its entire structural integrity had been compromised. United-Maier removed it in one piece, and the sign sits in their shop, awaiting its future.

The “Suder’s” sign proceeded differently. It had hung since the late 1930s on this well-known family business inThe romantic notion of Tod cruising for signs is just that. the Over-the-Rhine area of Cincinnati. Once a thriving community, Over-the-Rhine had suffered urban decay. Somehow, the business persevered in supplying lettering enamel, brushes and goldleaf.
In the last five years, the area experienced redevelopment, and the neighborhood shows signs of new vitality. But, the sign continued to experience the typical decay of a sheetmetal, neon sign. The owners decided to remove it -- unbeknownst to the museum.
Dauber (aka Jim Farr), a well-known auto pinstriper and gilder, told us about the sign’s removal. He said customers told the Suder family to donate the sign to the museum.
They agreed. To sweeten the deal, Dauber offered to donate a new sign for the business, which he’ll design in the style of the original.
The sign awaits neon repair and rewiring. The chipped paint and rusted sheetmetal -- the sign’s earned patina -- will remain. The neon will be replaced and glow once again. An era of the sign’s history ends, but its future is secure.

Teresa Does It Again

2011-04-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Once again, Teresa Young, longtime leader and supporter of the visual communications industry, has taken my feeble efforts and turned it into an entertaining story of one of our recent acquisitions, the Big Top sign.

Click here to read her blog. You'll be glad you did!

Sign Contest and Online Auction Highlight April Activities

2011-04-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Show Us a Sign!

Do you have a favorite sign or a favorite photo of a sign? Will you share it with us? The American Sign Museum is proud to sponsor the Show Us a Sign contest with Cincinnati Magazine. We're asking you to share a favorite sign on Cincinnati Magazine's website, and you could win a great prize in the process. Prizes include lifetime membership to the American Sign Museum and a $250 gift certificate to a Jeff Ruby restaurant. Signs are not limited to the Cincinnati area, they can be from anywhere! So Show Us a Sign! Contest ends May 14.

Online Auction Offers Deep Discounts for Sign Supplies, Services, Equipment, Show Booths, Magazine Ads...

Booth at 2012 Expo

If you work in the sign industry, there is something for you at our online auction now through April 30. In years past, our major annual fundraiser was held at the International Sign Association Sign Expo. This year, it will finish at the Expo, but EVERYONE who has access to the internet has access to the auction. No need to be present at the Expo.

1 Shot

$500 Gift Certificate

The auction will run from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011, with proceeds going to the American Sign Museum's operating budget, and especially the acquisition and restoration of signs. Auction items include products and services, equipment and software that you use everyday. And for the product manufacturers, there are full-page ads in industry publications and booth space at sign shows. Now's the perfect time to view all the items, set up to watch items of special interest, or go ahead and bid!

Full Page 4-color ad space

This is your opportunity to get some great deals on things you use anyway, so why not join in the fun and support your American Sign Museum in the process? Do it now!

HP H35500 flatbed/roll-to-roll printer

Satellite Shopland Then and Now

2011-01-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have been collaborating withTeresa Young (see her profile at http://www.signhugger.com/), on her Once Upon a Sign series to create blog posts about individual signs in the museum's collection. Our most recent collaboration presents the story of the Satellite Shopland sign, one of my personal favorites. I would run it here in its entirely, if i knew how. Next best thing is to send you to her blog. You'll find some great stuff there in addition to the Satellite Shopland post. Enjoy.

Big Top Comes to the Museum

2010-11-29T19:24:00.000-08:00

After more than three years and at least three dozen phone calls from museum supporters, the iconic Big Top sign is now safe in the hands of the American Sign Museum.

Originally displayed in Mason, OH about a half hour from the museum, the sign has stood unattended after the closing of the restaurant in 2005.

I had tried several times to contact the owner of the property, but to no avail. It wasn't until Karen Duesing, the realtor who had listed the commercial plot, got involved that the owner agreed to donate the sign.

The imminent widening of the adjacent state route must have also been a factor since the sign stood in the way of 'progress'.

Unfortunately, the sign had suffered a great deal of paint damage in the years since it first came to our attention. More recently, the sign suffered a blow to the bottom panel, collapsing the sheetmetal.

The crew of our go-to-guys--United-Maier Signs--took extreme care in removing the sign and hauled it off to their shop to see what could be done to save this original section of the sign. Whether the metal can be saved or not, this sign will most assuredly require re-painting--an exception to our general policy of not re-painting signs.

We're thrilled we could save this Cincinnati icon. It will have a prominent place in our Signs of Cincinnati exhibit when we move to our new, larger site.

Road Trip to New England

2010-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time, so it was great to be on the road again visiting old friends and making new ones. Oh, and picking up treasures for the American Sign Museum along the way! Our first stop was Stow, Ohio, and the home of George Bowers. George had emailed me about a 24" by 24" solid bronze Kelly Springfield Tire Company plaque/sign. In 1983 he witnessed a demolition company tearing down the front wall of the Cleveland Ohio Kelly Springfield Tire Company Distribution Center. Not wanting the sign to be lost, George purchased the sign and has kept it safe for the past 27 years. Over the years, collectors have offered him a pretty penny for it, but he wasn't ready to let it go to just anyone. Then he came across the American Sign Museum, and we're glad he did!

According to George, Kelly Springfield Tire is the oldest continuously operating tire company in the US and the first to develop rubber vulcanization (1844) and bonding rubber to carriage wheels. During the Great Depression, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. purchased Kelly Springfield, and Kelly Springfield is currently a wholely owned subsidiary of Goodyear. Thanks to George and his wife for their hospitality and for sharing their treasure with the Sign Museum.

Next, we headed to Buffalo, NY, where we visited Paddy Rowell Sr. and Jr. at their AMAZING Flexlume facility. The Rowells have the makings of their own sign museum, as they have kept signs, equipment, and supplies since Paddy's dad owned White Sign Company way back when. Flexlume is celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year. We then went to dinner with Paddy Sr. and his lovely wife. We learned about 'roast beef on weck' and REAL buffalo wings.

We ended Day 1 in Niagara Falls, enjoying some Perry's Ice Cream at Twist O'The Mist.

The next day, we visited Cooper Sign Company, in business for more than 85 years. I had met the senior Cooper who told me to visit the shop sometime: 'I'm sure we've got SOMETHING for the museum.' Well, not only did they have some great pictures and signs to show us, they also donated an 'Ad In Motion' sample of a sign designed for car tops. It's designed to swing in the breeze for added fun. When we saw a picture of their custom rotating pink elephant, we had to track it down. A little worse for wear, but still a great landmark for the current business and the town. Thanks, John and Jennifer, for showing us your shop and contributing to the museum's collection.

From Niagara Falls, we drove to Dover New Hampshire, where a bit of a challenge waited for us. Thanks to some great sleuthing on the part of roadside afficionado, Debra Jane Setzler, we were able to acquire a Norge ball from Sanford, Maine. Debra Jane came upon this opportunity and notified us immediately. Good friend and museum supporter, Mike Leary at Sundance Sign and Design in Dover retrieved the ball for us and brought it to his shop for safekeeping. We spotted it immediately, housed in the crate Mike built for transporting the ball. After some initial catching up on all things signs with Mike partner-in-crime Jill Butterfield, we got to work on how to get the ball onto my trailer. Once we raised it up and tilted the trailer, we were able to slide it on without too much trouble. We got some great looks and comments driving down the road! My favorite was when I was asked if we were with a carnival.

Go to Debra Jane's website for an incredible pictorial encyclopedia on everything roadside and to her Norge Ball page in particular for details on Norge Balls and a picture of our own Norge Ball while it was still displayed in it's all it's glory.

After a quick visit with daughter, Abby, in Boston, we headed back with our new treasures and said goodbye to the road for now. But we're already making plans for the next road trip!

Old friends, new investors?

2010-07-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

The Midwest Sign Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Congratulations! Here's to the next 50 years!

The recent International Sign Association / Midwest Sign Association event here in Cincinnati offered a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. Those who came to the reception at the American Sign Museum's future site were treated to a look at our progress to date and our vision for the future... hopefully the near future!!

We received some very encouraging comments about what we're doing. I was a little disappointed, however, and a little frustrated when I asked for a show a hands of how many were members of the museum.

I read an article recently about how we not-for-profits should see people not as 'donors' or 'supporters', but as investors. This makes a lot of sense. The goal of the American Sign Museum is to not only share with the world the history of the sign industry, but also to help shape our future. We tell a compelling story of how of signs reflect and influence design, technology, American culture, and -- most importantly -- their unique and vital importance to commerce. And if that's not enough, they're just plain fun!

Help us tell the world about signs and the role they play in business, community planning, engineering, marketing, communications, and -- yes -- art. If you are not a member, or have not renewed your membership, please 'sign' up now. You can do it online on our website. Or we're happy to accept your check by US Mail! You can also find other ways to 'Get Involved' on the website.
Now is the time to invest in the American Sign Museum!

More Respect - Signs ARE Art

2010-06-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Several months ago the Cincinnati Art Museum and ArtWorks approached me about a potential partnership in their summer project called 'The American Road'. ArtWorks is a Cincinnati organization whose vision is to "be the leader in employing student and emerging artists to create art that enlivens the Greater Cincinnati community." The American Sign Museum has worked with them on other projects. Now they were getting ready to partner with the Cincinnati Art Museum on this American Road project, and wouldn't signs from the American Sign Museum enhance the experience? In fact they were envisioning some of our larger signs lining the park entrance and winding road leading up to the Art Museum.

Unfortunately, when I explained the time, money, and labor that would be involved in transporting and safely installing the signs - for a temporary exhibit - the idea had to be shelved. But that didn't mean we couldn't provide some smaller signs for the open area where the students would be working. According to the ArtWorks website, the plan is to have ArtWorks artists:

creating a painted homage to the American tradition of road trips and traveling West. Working on site at the Cincinnati Art Museum, this team will transform the second floor ambulatory into famed highway Route 66 with a mural of vistas and landscapes of Western America and classic neon signs on loan from the American Sign Museum. Artists will be painting during open museum hours for visitors to observe as part of the Art Museum's See America series.

Well, the signs are now in place, with their neon lighting up the hallowed halls of this revered institution.

Soon the students will begin painting their mural. I look forward to watching and maybe even influencing their progress. If you're in the area, I suggest you drop in and give them some encouragement.

Getting Some Respect

2010-06-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time. Too busy doing things to write about them. But I'm working on it. For now, let's consider signs getting the respect they deserve. I'm seeing it more and more. Allow me to share an example:

Recently I had the honor of conducting a workshop and joining in the fun at the centennial celebration of the the Bristol TN/VA slogan sign. It was a very big deal with local and state officials not only attending, but verbalizing their recognition of the value of old signs to a community. Granted, they're thinking in terms of signs that have already made their mark, rather than how this might relate to current sign codes, but it was heartening indeed. The Bristol Sign Centennial included the mayors of the TN and VA versions of Bristol and state senators too. It was really great to see them embracing the town's heritage through a great sign.

Signs appeal to deSIGNers...

2010-03-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

The museum is many things to many people. To the design community, it’s an excellent resource for tracing the history of advertising and commercial design. Whether interested in type design or design trends, designers—both professional and student—find the museum of special interest.

Matt Davis, chair of Bowling Green State University’s division of Graphic Design, knows this, so he and colleague Amy Fidler, an instructor in the Graphic Design program, brought 38 junior and senior students with Majors in Graphic Design for a tour in mid-March. One of them forwarded me this group photo with this comment:

'Thanks again for taking me and my fellow peers through your exhibit on Friday. I know I can speak for everyone when I say we all had a blast! Your displays were not only aesthetically pleasing but also full of history and background info... '

The Museum has also been a perennial draw for local academia, including students and professors at the University of Cincinnati’s Design, Art, Architecture and Planning School (DAAP); the Art Academy; Northern Kentucky University and the College of Mt. St. Joseph.

Have YOU been to the museum yet?

The Family Business

2010-03-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

I was on a road trip in Arizona a couple weeks back. Driving through Kingman, I was scanning the horizon - as I always do - for signs in general and SIGNS signs in particular. Imagine my delight when I spied just such a sign in the distance. I, of course, turned around, found a way across the railroad tracks, wandered in, and introduced myself.

I was pleased to discover they knew of the American Sign Museum. But more than that, I had stumbled upon a family who has been in the sign business since World War II.

Deloris Mack was there behind the counter, with her son, Dave. Her husband, Victor, now runs things from his bed, but he had had the foresight to capture their legacy in more than several scrap books.

Victor was a B-17 pilot in World War II. He began his sign career after the war in Spokane, Washington. When he needed a crane truck, he thought of his military connections and got himself a gun turret, which he retro-engineered into a crane boom and attached to a flatbed truck. He also developed a changeable letter, which he patented and later sold.

Deloris and Victor had 11 kids, 5 of whom are in 'the business' from LA to Memphis, along with some of the grandkids. Their story reflects two common threads that run through the history of signmaking: family and innovation. I'm talking about these folks because I only just discovered them, at a time when I least expected it. But there are so many other stories like theirs. I only hope the American Sign Museum can honor these families and innovators in ways that they deserve.

If you know of a family like the Mack's, or your own story is one of generations of sign makers, please share your stories and/or photos by sending them to tod.swormstedt@gmail.com. Depending on what we receive, hopefully we'll be able to assemble a tribute to the 'family business' for the museum. It's an important part of our legacy.

Soapbox Media Comes to the Camp

2010-03-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

We get a surprising amount of press, just from word of mouth. A few days ago a reporter from Soapbox media interviewed me, then sent a photographer to gather some images. The result is the article below. Pretty straightforward and overall a good summary of what's happening.

American Sign Museum hopes to move into renovated Camp Washington building by 2012

Soapbox, 3/9/2010

Tod Swormstedt has known for some time that he wanted to grow the American Sign Museum beyond its current 4,500 square-foot Walnut Hills location. He also knew that he wanted to grow the museum's scope as well, making it a landmark for those in the sign industry around the country. With the recent purchase of a Camp Washington factory attached to the Middle Earth Developers-built Machine Flats project, its now a reality.

The American Sign Museum will eventually use more than 42,000 square feet of space at the factory, but is initially working on 19,300 square feet of space to get started. In addition to the expanded size, the facility boasts 23-foot high ceilings that are perfect for the museum's needs.

"I looked all over town and especially along McMicken Street near the Brewery District of Over-the-Rhine but I couldn't find what I needed in my price range," said Swormstedt. "I wanted to be in OTR, but the structures there just weren't big enough, then an artist told me about the Camp Washington space and I knew right away that this was it."

The new museum space will dedicate the initial expansion to the history of signs that the Museum is well known for displaying. The additional expansion will be used as a lab area for the development of new technologies and to show off high-tech products in the sign industry. The development of new technologies is something that Swormstedt hopes to get DAAP students involved with especially with the new Terence M. Fruth/Gemini Chair of Signage Design and Community Planning endownment at UC.

"I'm hoping Cincinnati can become a signage research and resource capital," said Swormstedt. "Having the main industry magazine based here, the museum, the University of Cincinnati's College of DAAP, and the sign conference that was held by UC late last year are all helping to accomplish this."

Signs of the Times magazine is the sign industry standard his great grandfather first edited in 1906, and the publication Swormstedt himself has worked on for close to 27 years.

The operations of the American Sign Museum are also handled by Swormstedt with the help of volunteers that are often related to DAAP and College of Business students involved with the signage research endowments at UC. But the work of renovating the Camp Washington space and moving from Walnut Hills is something that will take millions of dollars in addition to the valuable volunteer work on which the museum relies.

"So far we've raised and spent $1.5 million on the former Camp Washington factory, and we need another $900,000 to open up the first 19,300 square feet," said Swormstedt. "Once we get the full amount we need we can probably build out the space in 8 months and would love to be moved by 2012."

The completed project will include the NeonWorks shop where visitors will get to see neon being made, 'Signs of Main Street' which will pay homage to the history of signs, a restoration shop, and a lab area for sign technology innovation.

Those interested in donating the project can do so in a variety of creative ways besides making an outright contribution to the museum's website, contacting Tod Swormstedt at (513) 258-4020 or tod@signmuseum.org. You can also purchase a brick paver with your name on it, or purchase a panel that you can paint and design that will be mounted on the wall at the museum's front entrance.

Writer: Randy A. Simes

Photography by Tiffany Fisher

Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy

American Sign Museum hopes to move into renovated Camp Washington building by 2012

Posted using ShareThis

Genies, Reporters, and Benders, oh my!

2010-02-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

We had a perfect storm recently when Genie #2 was lifted up to his rightful place, Fox 19 came to report on it and the new site, and our new tenants, NEONWORKS, settled in and got to work. You can see a piece of it all on Fox 19's video. Can you catch the errors(s) in the report? For more detail and pix, read on...

First, our new tenants have arrived. Neonworks had already been doing a lot of our restoration work, so it seemed only right to invite them to move into the musuem. Not only is it a practical move, but great for museum visitors who will be able to watch the guys bend glass. Those big windows in the back look in on the main part of the museum. As you can imagine, the Fox 19 team took a great interest in watching them work and learning a little something about the art of neon sign making. Unfortunately, they didn't get much coverage on the story that ran. But hey, every little bit counts, right?

Which brings us to FOX 19. I got a call from one of their reporters soon after a snowfall saying she had been spending a lot of time at the salt dome, and kept seeing our 'Future Home of the American Sign Museum' sign. Could she come see what's happening? Once it was scheduled, it occurred to us: what a perfect time to install Genie #2. So I called our friends at United-Maier Signs, Inc. to see if they could schedule the install for the same morning. Of course, it was cold and rainy, but troopers that they are, the United-Maier team was there first thing. Watching them prepare for and lift Genie #2 on to the poles in front of the museum entrance was very cool, indeed, and a milestone for those of us close to the new home project. Video coming soon! In the meantime view a glimpse of it all in Fox 19's video.

Who's that genie, and what's he trying to tell us?

2010-01-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the great guys at United-Maier Signs, Inc, Genie #2 is now gracing the entrance of the permanent home of the American Sign Museum! Yaaayyyyy!!!

Yes, we have a long way to go, but we've really been looking forward to getting Genie #2 in place. Only.... now we need to decide what message he will be carrying. And it would be nice if we could come up with a real name for him.

Any suggestions?

See pics on flickr and be sure to watch the video about what's-his-name being transported to the new site.

Genie #2 comes to our new home!

2010-01-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

The generously donated genies, which originally identified two of the Aladdin Carpeterias that once populated Southern California, journeyed 2500 miles to Cincinnati several years ago. They went straight to The Glass Hand in Cleves, Ohio for restoration.

Genie #1 was installed in front of the main entrance to Essex Studios where the museum now resides in April, 2005 -- just in time for the Grand Opening. He is a great landmark and greets every visitor.

Genie #2 remained at the Glass Hand awaiting restoration, and our new home's readiness. Then when the time came, United-Maier Signs, Inc., who has so generously helped us so many times over the years, became swamped with work (that's a good thing, right?). Wasn't a problem, UNTIL... I got the call NEW YEAR'S EVE that The Glass Hand was moving over the weekend and the landlord wanted Genie #2 gone with them,or else! I quickly called Ken Deusing at United-Maier, and he graciously had his crew on site first thing Monday morning. Professionals that they are, Joey Beach, Matt Maier, and Richie Meece (left to right, below) braved frigid temperatures to weld, cut, weld again, lift, load, transport, and gently place Genie #2 in front of the entrance to our new home. He will be installed over the entrance as soon as weather and United-Maier's schedule permits.

Once we move to our new home, we (United Maier, that is) will install Genie #1 on the building in front of us, which faces I-75. He will again be our beacon, inviting folks to come enjoy the American Sign Museum.

View this great video of getting Genie #2 to the Museum.

2009-12-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

I received an email from Baranduin Briggs, who visited Cincinnati and the American Sign Museum in September, 2007. According to the email, the museum tour was 'the highlight of my trip to Cincinnati' and is a 'must see'...

Another must see is Baranduin's wonderful recently posted images of the museum, offered here for your consideration... enjoy...

Tod's Amazing Sign Adventures - Johnny's Big Red Grill, Ithaca NY

2009-12-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

The 21- foot tall Johnny's Big Red Grill sign was installed in 1949. The restaurant was popular with the Cornell crowd, and the sign was designated an historic landmark. But as with all of us, time takes its toll, and last year, the sign came down. Lots of local institutions wanted it, but couldn't manage the cost or space required.

So it went up for auction on eBay and was purchased by 1976 Cornell graduate Carolyn Coplan, who envisioned it as a gift for her husband to be displayed in their foyer. Oops. Too big! Her search to find a good home for the sign led to the American Sign Museum, and we're glad it did! We always prefer that a sign stay in its own community, but when that isn't possible, we're glad to help save, restore, and display these treasures.

Soooo.... off i went, enlisting the help of friend, museum patron, and board member Brian 'the Brush' Briskie. We left his home near Rochester at 0-dark-thirty and on the journey encountered rain, traffic, and an absent sign crew. We waited for the crew to arrive at the farm where the sign was being stored. Then we waited some more ... Then we waited some more... Then the light bulb went off over Brian's head: hey! i know a sign painter who lives around here. Maybe he can help! And help he did. Bob Timmerman arrived around noon with Jared Relyea and Eric Ramey. With everyone working together, we were able to divide the sign into two smaller pieces, load it on the trailer, and strap it down for its journey to Cincinnati.

Happily, we all made it home safely, and the Johnny's Red Grill sign is already on display in the restoration shop at the museum's permanent home, which is still under construction.

Read more about the sign, its history, and it's journey to the museum in the Cornell Sun article, and stay tuned for the next chapter of Tod's Amazing Sign Adventures !

We're All in this Together!

2009-11-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

I call it Roadside Americana. Call it what you will, a lot of us can't get enough of it. That's why I include links to sign and roadside organizations and websites on the American Sign Museum website.
Some of these sites are incredibly rich with images and commentary, and many are collaborative efforts of like minded folks joined together to create a Society or Association, etc.
While I have the greatest respect for these organizations and so many individuals who share their passion with the rest of us, I am especially impressed by the continuing efforts of one Debra Jane Seltzer to see first hand, capture, document, and share all of her discoveries from well known icons to little known treasures and everything in between. And she loves dogs too! Her own dogs travel with her wherever she goes, which makes a visit with Debra Jane even more fun!

Take a look at her Roadside Architecture site, organized by by category and by state. And if you haven't had enough, check out her Flikr page.

And if you STILL haven't had enough, try her Blog, which she updates only when she's on the road. Can you spot the reference to me (the Man!) and the American Sign Museum?
I don't mean to slight other great organizations, people, or sites. I'll be talking about them in time and updating our lists on the website. I had to begin somewhere, and it seemed only right to begin with Debra Jane. Thanks for your passion and your willingness to share it, Debra Jane. Keep up the great work!

2009-11-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Who just received an American Sign Museum Lifetime Membership Award? What sign organization just contributed $5000 to the Museum? Read on…

World Sign Associates (WSA) recently held their annual conference in Cincinnati, and the American Sign Museum was honored to host a reception for its attendees.

During the reception, Museum founder Tod Swormstedt presented a Lifetime Membership to Paddy Rowell, Sr. of Flexlume Sign Corporation, Buffalo, NY. Rowell has donated more than 20 rare and highly collectible vintage signs from the 1910-1930s era. He has contributed greatly to Museum’s understanding of this period of electric signs and its ability to share these treasures with the general public.

Following the Lifetime Membership presentation, WSA president, Ron Jacobs, Berry Neon Systems, Portland, OR, announced that the WSA Board of Trustees voted to donate $5000 to the Museum. This is in addition to the WSA grassroots campaign that promoted Museum membership to individual WSA members.

WSA support and the support of its members comes at a time when our Capital Campaign Match Fund is still in effect, so their contributions will go twice as far in supporting current operations and getting the Museum to its new home.

Paddy Rowell Jr accepts Lifetime Membership Award for his father from Museum founder, Tod Swormstedt

World Sign Associates look on as Tod Swormstedt accepts $5000 contribution. Many of these members are Museum supporters in their own right.

Welcome

2009-10-07T16:06:00.001-07:00

Welcome!

Never let it be said this old dog can't learn a new trick or two. The good news is, with this blog I get to talk to you directly about my two passions: signs and the American Sign Museum. And hopefully generate some comments along the way. So stay tuned for what i hope will be 'illuminating' insights into the past, present, and future of the art, craft, value, and just plain fun of signs. Oh, and the continuing evolution of the American Sign Museum!