The day after the Museum’s grand opening in 2005, founder Tod Swormstedt began looking for a permanent home that could accommodate the Museum’s collection, which was already outgrowing its rented space, and his vision for a more interactive experience.  His search ended at a former parachute factory in Camp Washington, a historic and ready-to-bloom-again area of Cincinnati. The Museum now owns 19,000+ square feet of the building, and its footprint will more than double in January, 2012. View renderings of our new home. You can also view some construction highlights of our new home.

House cleaning. The building needs a complete overhaul to meet city codes and Museum requirements.  With lots of initial help from Muller Architects, Inc., Turnbull-Wahlert Construction, Inc. was selected for the job.   Generous contributions and collaborative efforts have gotten us through Phase 1 – which included purchasing the building, city-approved plans, permits, a fire wall, and removal of most of the second floor. 

Phase 2 semi-officially began when Swormstedt and representatives of Turnbull-Wahlert signed the Phase 2 contract in December, 2008 and was completed in May, 2009. As a result:

• The building is now weatherized, including tuckpointing and a completely new roof
• The roof of the restoration shop has been raised to accommodate the museum’s large signs
• The main entrance façade is built
• The museum’s 2450 sq. ft. restoration shop is enclosed and doing double duty as restoration shop and meeting area.
• Neonworks, the museum’s tenant and main sign restorer, has moved in and is open for business!

Phase 3 build-out will tackle interior cosmetics and include construction of basic walls, lobby and gift shop, restrooms, etc; run electrical and HVAC; and pour footings for large signs, finished off with a new, raised concrete floor. 

Phase 4 will complete construction of storefronts along “Signs on Main Street” and the fine-tuning of exhibits.   

When the building will be ready, depends entirely on how quickly we can raise the needed money. To date, 60% - or $1.5 million of the $2.5 million goal has been raised and spent to get us to where we are today. You can help get us the rest of the way!

Make your mark (literally) with your personal message that will be a part of the museum forever by purchasing a paver or painting a panelthat will line the entrance floor and lobby wall, respectively. You can also Get Involved by sponsoring a storefront, restoring a sign, or simply by becoming a member.