American Sign Museum to Host Grand Re-Opening to Unveil Main Street Expansion

Cincinnati’s premier destination for classic Americana and basking in a neon glow is gearing up to unveil its new expansion this summer.

The American Sign Museum (ASM) says it’s hosting a grand re-opening celebration on Saturday, July 13 to show off the 20,000-square-foot expansion of its “Main Street” that will add more signage, as well as program and event space.

“After more than two years of planning and construction, we’re excited to welcome visitors to a bigger and better Main Street,” David Dupee, ASM’s director, said in a press release. “With the expanded space, visitors can experience more signs — ranging from hand-painted shop windows to a classic theater marquee — and enjoy a place devoted to learning, inspiration and exploration.”

ASM, which houses over 100 years of American sign history, opened in the former Oesterlein Machine Company-Fashion Frocks Inc. building in Camp Washington in 2012. This new expansion into a previously unfinished portion of the century-old building doubles the museum’s size.

“With the expansion, we can further the work we do to promote the historic contributions of the sign industry in American culture,” Tod Swormstedt, ASM’s founder, said in the release. “We’re looking forward to expanding our education programs, welcoming more events and increasing our outreach to the community.”

The expansion’s highlights include:

loka Theatre marquee
This marquee from the landmark Ioka Theater in Exeter, New Hampshire, is the ASM’s collection’s only marquee. It marks a new theater space in the museum that will show videos and presentations about the museum’s collection as well as serve as a small event and meeting space.

The Ward’s Butter Bread sign
The Ward’s Butter Bread sign is a hand-painted advertisement created by Beverly Sign Company founder Jack Briggs. It was unearthed during the demolition of a Chicago building, where it had been hidden for over 70 years.

Johnny’s Big Red Grill
This sign came from a watering hole in Ithaca, New York that was beloved by Cornell University students. Standing at 21 and a half feet, it’s the museum’s tallest sign in the new wing.

G & J Tire
G & J Tire is the oldest sign in the new wing, having been created around 1927. It hails from Buffalo, New York.

The new wing also features hand-painted signs from 36 sign painters from across the United States and Canada.

This expansion was Phase II of a three-phase construction project that began in 2022. Along with the expansion of Main Street, Phase II included adding a multi-use classroom and flex space for programming, a catering kitchen and a storage area. Phase I encompassed staff offices, a conference room, a collections area and a library and resource center.

ASM’s grand reopening is Saturday, July 13. The museum is located at 1330 Monmouth St. in Camp Washington. For more information, visit americansignmuseum.org .