American Sign Museum — Attraction in Cincinnati

Such an amazing place and great for the kids.

The museum has lots of iconic signs and it starts right as you turn the corner to pull into the parking lot as you stare down the iconic Holiday Inn sign with working animated lights. The front door is flanked by more neon including a giant hammer and a huge genie-type character bidding welcome who's legs you have to go through to enter.

I wasn't really sure what to expect but the inside of the building looks all new with a spacious lobby, nice waiting area by the rest rooms, and a small gift shop with t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other bits of Americana like Moon Pies and giant Tootsie Pops.

Admission is reasonable and the tour starts just off the lobby to the right. There is a link to their web site for a self-guided tour which was super-helpful. While there is audio, I found the written description of each area to be better suited to the enjoyment of the family.

The tour stars at the letter room which displays many sales samples over the years and talks about the founding of the museum. The tour then proceeds to the left where you can see samples of very early signs (19th century) way before the electric era. Progressing on there are samples of show cards, chipped glass signs, and gold leaf lettering, many in pristine condition.

It's the electric era where the collection really starts to take off. Incandescent illumination first, obviously, but neon soon follows. The neon hall is like Vegas meets middle America. So many iconic brands.

A highlight is when the signs started to animate. A giant rotating star dominates a room with eclectic samples of animated signs, vacu-formed plastic, and other unique signs.

The main street section puts all the signage in context with the Howard Johnson's and classic McDonald's signs dominating the space. Behind main street is the restoration garage and the Cincinnati heritage room/barn-sign room with a real life Mail Pouch barn wall.

The Cincinnati neon works is located at the back of the building where you might see the staff building neon for their customers. Apparently they offer a class and I totally want to take it. You learn to create neon and get to take home your creation!

It takes about an hour to go through and enjoy the museum. If you stop to read all the information and really admire the signs, it will take considerably longer. Regardless, I think it is impossible to go through the museum and not gain an appreciation for something we take for granted.

I will add that the museum specializes in commercial signage. There is nothing about public signage like street signs, cross-walk signals, or the such. That would have been a nice to be able to see the history of that as well. Maybe there is a different...

This is a fantastic display of lighted signs and other historical signs and one of our favorite attractions in the area. Many of the lighted signs have been restored, but there are some neon signs in the original box here that were never used when originally created. There is a guided tour you can take and you can also walk through at your own pace. There is a small gift shop with signs, mugs, magnets, t-shirts, books, and a few other misc things. In the back of the museum there is a video you can watch about this history of the place, which also demonstrates how neon signs are made today. There are also a few signs outside as well.

The coolest thing about the place for me was not just the visuals, but the history of sign making. The collection has many samples from sign makers showing sample fonts, colors, and materials customers of the sign makers could use in various businesses and eras.

Wood signs are not restored. They leave them as-is to show how they have aged.

You could stay here 15-30 minutes as a quick Instagram worthy visit to 2-3 hours as someone interested in the history of sign making who wanted to learn all about it. Note that photos are for personal use only, not for business or profit. If using professionally you need to schedule that and it may not be available right now with covid restrictions.

This museum is a NARM member and with that you can visit for free, so definitely visit if you are passing through and you have this membership. I would recommend even without it, it...

COME ON A SATURDAY!

It's really your best value. For my Saturday visit I was able to experience: A guided tour A Neon glass bending presentation Engage in an on site sign craft

FOR NO EXTRA COST!

This museum was a pleasant surprise and I highly recommend taking the time on your weekend. Here's why:

Everyone I encountered here was CLEARLY passionate and happy to be working here. What a difference in experience when you see genuine passion and smiles.

The guided tour will provide you more information than what's on the plaques. I read everything in museums, but I was happy to exchange this for a high quality guided tour. Alex was highly knowledgeable, passionate, comical, and incredible. I wish more people like Alex existed and followed their dreams, it really just makes the experience so much better. Thank you Alex.

Neon bending presentation? Unbelievably cool. The youngest glass bender, at 27, in the US is there passionately sharing with you this art that he clearly loves and is knowledge about. He would get incredibly happy when the audience clapped at each of his steps in the process.

The crafts? Excellent for all ages to engage in a easy and fun craft in making your own sign.

The signs are just awesome and a historical snapshot of material science and culture from the past.

I'm glad someone carved out this niche and made it into a Museum, may more people follow their passions and share their joy with others. Thanks for the...