The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio is a real deal blast from the past. Recently, a new expansion has made it a "must visit" for anyone seeking some good ole nostalgia.

Over a year ago, in February 2023, crews were cleaning out a 20,000 sq ft storage space at the museum to prepare for one of their coolest exhibitions yet. A Downtown Main Street walk-through. A throwback to the golden days when signs were literal works of art. Hand-painted neon advertisements as folks strolled to do their shopping.

American Sign Museum Facebook/Natali Grilli
American Sign Museum Facebook/Natali Grilli
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This project debuted July 13th as it opened to the public. It's been welcomed with rave reviews!

"Absolutely blown away by my visit there this week!"

"It is lovely! What a great place to host a reception or do a children’s birthday function in the classroom space! Even have a private screening in the new museum movie theatre! I know you will do great things, Museum crew! Fabulous opening!"

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Here is a video about how the Main Street exhibit came together with the help of sign painters who turned the bare walls around the vintage signs into storefronts and old fashioned facades. When visitors tour the museum, it looks like they have gone back in time. Traditional sign painting is a lost art these days, so that's really cool that the American Sign Museum still collaborates with lettering artists like this. They came from across the country to work on this project.

You can visit the largest public sign museum in America on Wednesdays through Sundays and plan for about an hour and a half to see all of the signs and possibly catch the folks of Neon Works as they make new neon signs. Here is a link to their website to learn more.

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Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood

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