What’s your sign?3 min read

One recent Sunday, my husband and I went on a field trip to the American Sign Museum.Gotta tell you…it was so cool, that I was mad at myself for waiting so long to check it out! It’s a museum that everyone in the family will enjoy. (Including the in-laws that come into town and want to be entertained. This will give you bonus points for sure!)

With 20,000 square feet full of every kind of sign, it’s the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the U.S.

It started in 1999 with the owner Tod Swormstedt’s passion for collecting signs. He got the “sign fever” because his family owned a trade journal for sign manufacturing since 1906. So, I guess you’d say it was a sign (hee hee). He opened a museum in 2005 and, with a growing collection, in 2012 he moved into the current space in Camp Washington which displays signs inside and out.

You’ll see signs that move, light up and spin dating from 1870 (a portfolio sign book) to around 1982 (the Burger King sign). You can enjoy a stroll on the brick path as if you’re walking through a lit-up city street and take a selfie or an entertaining snapchat story.

Being married to a guy who wants to put up as many Christmas lights as Clark Griswold, I wondered how much the electric bill was for all of these signs. The answer? About $4,200 a month! That makes me feel so much better about our two months of lights. :)

When you visit, do yourself a favor and take the guided tour. It is about an hour long and packed with great information. During the week you can see the Neonworks shop in the back that fixes neon lights. It is a separate business, but they have windows so you can watch them in action.

• Things to look for: The sputnik spinning sign from Anaheim, CA. It’s so funky––with long spikes and a spinning orb––that when the desigenr took the idea around to sign makers, they thought he was crazy, so he ended up building it himself in his basement. Also, pay attention to the Earl Scheib Auto Painting with the cars rotating around the globe from Compton, CA. When it moves around find the bullet hole. It’s “straight outta Compton” :) Also, look for the Cincinnati room, where you can walk down memory lane.

• There’s plenty of parking in the lot and on the streets. It’s in a remote area, so when you’re driving there, don’t think you are lost!

• The entrance fee is $15, so get more for your money and take the free tour.
Seniors are $10 and up to 3 children 12 and under are free with a paying adult

• Hours: 10:00-4:00 Wednesday – Saturday (tours at 11:00 & 2:00) and Sundays 12:00-4:00 (tour at 2:00).

• Can be rented for private parties!

1330 Monmouth Ave. 45225 (Camp Washington area) I’m not posting many pictures because I don’t want to ruin it for you!