The museum will showcase signs from the American Sign Museum's collection "The Signmaker's Journey" from April 4 - October 12. Signs in this exhibit are not regularly on display at the American Sign Museum, and feature a closer look at the three historically significant eras of illuminated signage--Lightbulb, Neon, and Plastics--with signs representing. The exhibit tells a story of the fictional character Joe Signmaker’s journey through the 20th century, relating his personal experiences in the ever-changing sign industry.
The character of Joe Signman was inspired by the life of William H. Hahn. Hahn began his career as a signpainter for the Thomas Cusack Company of Chicago. He later opened his own company in Chicago and was soon joined by his son, William B. Hahn. The Museum has expanded upon the limited information known about Hahn in order to give a more complete view of a signman in the first half of the 20th century. Follow Joe’s journey as he navigates changing technology to illuminate the night sky.
The Sign Makers Journey was developed by the American Sign Museum in cooperation with the National Museum of the US Air Force. Artifacts are on loan from the American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH.. (Federal Endorsement Not Implied)