American Sign Museum

The Frisch's Mainliner is coming back to life!

The ASM’s conservator, Bing, was recently able to get both sides of the “Frisch’s” porcelain script back up and we're loving how the red enamel pops against the original gray-white enamel!

The “Frisch’s” neon units came with the sign, but many needed help with proper fitting and correcting electrode orientations. When the sign was retrofitted to LED, the neon units that illuminated the plastic “MAINLINER” letters were discarded so Bing has been hard at work rebending all of those letters…x2!

The neon for the east side of the sign (pictured here) has been installed and tested and will be glowing bright on Main Street once the wiring is complete!

Become a member to support the ASM's restoration and preservation of the signs that shape our culture all year long.

Visit americansignmuseum.org/membership to join today.

With another year of learning coming to an end, we have a message to all the students and teachers who came to the American Sign Museum for a field trip - Thank you for an incredible school year!

With close to 2,000 students served this year so far, the ASM is proud to support learning beyond the classroom. Our hands‑on programs bring history, art, and storytelling to life through the world of signs.

From developing an understanding of inflation by looking at a 1963 McDonald’s sign to creating a brand, students from across the region applied critical thinking skills while being dazzled by the bright colors and glow of the signs.

Whether you’re planning for the summer or looking ahead to next year, consider booking early for guided tours, curriculum‑based activities, neon demos, scavenger hunts, and more!

Find out more at americansignmuseum.org/learn

June is going to be more colorful than ever! Join us for Glow in the Dark: PRIDE! and see the American Sign Museum as few get to – fully lit at night!

Celebrate Pride month at one of the most colorful places in town – glowing rainbows and all. Explore the indoor collection, take a guided ROYGBIV tour, join Drag Queen story hour with The Lady Phaedra, check out a neon demonstration, dance to DJ BoyWife, and feast your eyes on a Hoop Dance performance with Ruby Roulette.

We'll have snacks, crafts, and even Johnny's Creamy Whip ice cream truck!

Wear your brightest neon colors and join the fun Thursday, June 11 from 4 - 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk or online at https://www.americansignmuseum.org/event/glow-in-the-dark-pride/. Pre-purchasing eTickets is not required in order to visit the ASM.

When artists move between sign companies, they take their style with them.

Robert Barnett’s colorful gouache and watercolor renderings--seen here from his time at Heath and Company and Valley Neon--showcase that migration of talent.

Heath and Co., which began as Heath & Gorsich Sign Contractors in 1948, was founded by Wayne Heath and Tony Gorsich. Heath and Gorsich brought expertise developed during time at Chicago's Beverly Sign to LA, blending it with emerging Googie aesthetics. After Heath bought out Gorsich in 1952, the company became synonymous with progressive sign design through the 1950s and 1960s.

These sketches are some of the only surviving records of Valley Neon’s work.

Catch Back to the Drawing Board: The Art of the Sign Sketch 1925-1975 before it closes June 11 and take a closer look at these watercolor sign sketches from Heath and Company, Valley Neon, and more! Included with price of admission.