Answering the questions you have about the American Sign Museum. We welcome additional questions: E-mail c/o [email protected] or call (800) 925-1110, ext. 336

How long has the Museum existed?

The American Sign Museum was the idea of Tod Swormstedt, former publisher and editor of Signs of the Times magazine, a journal which has continuously served the sign industry since 1906. Swormstedt approached the publishers of Signs of the Times, with the idea for the Museum in August of 1998. ST Media Group, which is owned by his family, agreed to support the idea with an initial donation of $200,000 in start-up money.

The American Sign Museum was originally incorporated in March, 1999 as the National Signs of the Times Museum--a not-for-profit corporation registered in the State of Ohio. The name was legally changed in March , 2001 to its present name. The Museum was granted 501 (C) (3) status in January, 2000.

Where is the American Sign Museum?

The Museum is located in the Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati, just five minutes from downtown, at 2515 Essex Avenue in the Essex Studios building. The American Sign Museum still maintains its business office and houses its archives of paper items - books, catalogs, photos, artwork, etc. - at the offices of ST Media Group in downtown Cincinnati, OH at 407 Gilbert Avenue/Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Prior to September, 2002, the Museum had maintained three storage facilities: One each in Portland, OR; Las Vegas, NV; and an additional location in Cincinnati. Signs in the Portland and Las Vegas warehouses were consolidated at the Cincinnati warehouse in November, 2002 in preparation for the anticipated opening of the new facility.

What are the driving directions to the Museum?

The best route is via Interstate I-71. If you are coming south on I-71, take the Taft exit just north of downtown Cincinnati. At the top of the exit ramp is a traffic light: Get in the far left lane and turn left. Go about 100 yards and on your right is a parking lot for Essex Studios. The Museum is located in Essex Studios.

If you are traveling north on I-71, pass through downtown and through the tunnel, and take the first exit after the tunnel, which is Reading Road. The exit is on the left side of the interstate one-half mile after the tunnel. The exit splits, but keep to the left, which is Reading Road and proceed north until you pass the United Way building, and then pass under an overpass and around the curve on your right is a used tire store painted chrome yellow. Turn right on to Minnesota Avenue directly in front of the used tire store. Go 100 yards to the top of the hill and turn right at the stop sign onto Essex Avenue. Essex Studios is on your immediate right.

When is the Museum open?

The Museum will open its doors for public tours beginning October 1, 2004, in conjunction with an open house being held at Essex Studios October 1-2, from 6:00 to 11:00 pm. The Museum will be open by appointment only after the October 1-2 open house. The official Grand Opening is set for April 28, 2005.

To make an appointment, call Tod Swormstedt @ (800) 925-1110, ext. 336 during regular business hours (EST) or at (513) 258-4020. Tours can be scheduled on weekdays and weekends, day or night, depending upon Swormstedt's availability. It is not unusual to arrange tours in the evenings and/or on weekends. Please allow a minimum of three days advance notice.

Is there an admission charge for the tour?

Admission is $10.00 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Group rates are negotiable, but generally average to be $5.00 per person.

How large is the Museum's facility?

The Museum is housed within the Essex Studios building and comprises four indoor areas, including an 800 sq. ft. lobby; a 3800 sq. ft. display area; an 1100 sq. ft. sign restoration shop; and an 800 sq. ft. third room for storing the overflow of restored signs. The display area has three main sections: a timeline history of the sign industry, told through the evolution of three-dimensional letters; "Signs on Main Street, " which is a life-size sampling of vintage storefronts that serve as backdrops for displaying vintage signs and sign-related objects; and a sign gallery of free-standing and hanging/projecting signs arranged by historic era. The Museum is negotiating with the Cincinnati zoning commission in order to display its larger signs in an outside display.

How large is the collection? Is it cataloged?

The Museum's collection is always growing and effective July, 2004, numbered more than 2500 objects, including 120 signs; 500 books and catalogs; and 1200 photos. The majority of these are cataloged by type of item and decade of vintage. In addition, the Museum has an archive of nearly 1800 copies of Signs of the Times magazines, dating from 1914 to 1989. More than 400 are pre-1950 era issues.

Does the Museum appraise signs? Is the Museum available for consultation?

The Museum is not in the business of appraising signs, but is available for consultation on a paid basis - both to informally appraise signs and to research the history of a given sign, including name of manufacturer, fabrication methods, date of manufacture, etc. The Museum can also provide information on the restoration of vintage signs. Contact Tod Swormstedt at (800) 925-1110, ext. 336 or e-mail: [email protected]

How does the Museum acquire objects? Does the Museum purchase signs and sign-related items?

A major part of the Museum's budget is allocated to acquisitions and restoration of signs. However, a large percentage of the Museum's collection has been donated by individuals as well as sign companies, sign supply distributors and sign product manufacturers.

The Museum is a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) corporation: All donations of goods are tax deductible. Donors are formally recognized for their donations via the descriptive tags accompanying each item on display. Contributions are also acknowledged in the "New Acquisitions" section of the website - as well as in the Museum's quarterly newsletter and Tod Swormstedt's monthly column in Signs of the Times magazine.

How does one become a member of the American Sign Museum?

The Museum is not currently offering memberships. Once the permanent site is open, memberships will be available. The Museum does accept donations, however, for its annual operating costs and sign acquisition/restoration fund. All donations are tax deductible based on the Museum's 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit status.