CINCINNATI — A unique Cincinnati museum is combining bright lights with a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Located in Camp Washington, The American Sign Museum covers 100 years of signs.
What You Need To Know
- The American Sign Museum covers 100 years of signs
- Crowd favorites include the Frisch’s Big Boy, Satellite Shopland and McDonald’s
- ASM hosts weddings, parties and programs both in person and virtually
“Signs are one of those things that we kind of take for granted,” said Erin Holland, ASM’s communications manager. “If you get to see them up close and at eye level, it really brings home some of that craftsmanship.”
From big and bright to small and hand-painted, the museum’s sign collection varies.
Holland said crowd favorites include the Frisch’s Big Boy, the Satellite Shopland sign from a space-themed shopping mall and massive McDonald’s sign from the 1960’s, which includes the fast food chains original mascot.
“There’s an importance to these signs that shows how American pop-culture and society has changed,” said Holland.
ASM also features a Main Street display, designed to make visitors feel like they’re walking through the corridor of a downtown business district with bright signs leading the way. Through glass windows, those walking down Main Street can peak into Neon Works, a shop that fabricates and repairs neon signs on site.
Holland said she hopes visitors will walk away having learned a bit and seen a lot.
“It’s bright, it’s cheerful, the museum is a lot of fun,” said Holland. “I hope people come in and enjoy the lights and learn something along the way too.”
The American Sign Museum was created in 1999 by Tom Swormstedt, then editor of the Signs of the Times magazine. ASM hosts weddings, parties and programs both in person and virtually.
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