We're All in this Together!

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!

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.