The Neon Museum of Philadelphia is dedicated to preserving historic signage as an important element of community heritage in Philadelphia and America.
The Museum also promotes neon art and appreciation of the 20th century American roadside.
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia is permanently closed.
Please follow our web and social channels, and join our email list for updates on the future of the collection: https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/contact
Thank you for your love and support. ❤️
❤️💙💜💛💚🧡 whole lotta neon love these last few weeks. Thank you. We're open Friday, 1-6pm. Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm. The time to visit is now.
Just replaced a bad transformer on this sign we made for the Craft Tea shop in Mt Airy. Nice to see this glowing smile again. We love supporting local small businesses like Craft Tea. Check 'em out for feel good & functional teas, each with unique artwork and a vinyl record pairing.
Glass bending by the excellent Robert Bodek (pictured in the 4th photo alongside our HoJo lamplighter).
Take your own photo with the lamplighter at the museum! We're open Friday 1-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm. The lamplighter is spectacular, but most of our collection represents Philly mom & pop shops over the years, offering a commercial history of Philly through the beautiful & unique signage.
The museum is closed Friday, November 25th. We're open 12-5pm Saturday and Sunday. See you then!
Saturday, 11/12: opening reception for PHILLY-BASED. Join us to celebrate this beautiful show from 12pm to 5pm. See work from 13 international artists who currently practice in the city of Philadelphia.
PHILLY-BASED celebrates the creative contributions, flavors, and styles brought to the city by these artists, representing Philadelphia’s strength as a hub of cultural diversity.
Featured artists:
Lara Cantu-Hetzler (USA)
Chau Nguyen (Vietnam)
Lauren Whearty (USA)
Yuliya (Ukraine)
Linda Fernandez (Cuba)
Ziania Narvaez (Mexico)
Daniel Mendez (Colombia)
Annabel Perrigueur (France)
Madeline Conover (USA)
Nicola Wescombe (UK)
Paola Lambertin (Bolivia) .lambertin.photos
Jessica Carvajal (Colombia)
Karina Puente (USA)
Curation & poster by Jessica Carvajal.
On view November 11, 2022 through December 4, 2022.
Tickets and info: https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/visit
5 weekends left to visit before we close. This Saturday, 11/12, we celebrate the opening of our final special exhibition, PHILLY-BASED. Curated by . See details at link in bio. Hope to see you there!
Opening next weekend! PHILLY-BASED: A celebration of artistic diversity in the city
Reception: Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 12pm to 5pm
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia and illustrator Jessica Carvajal present 14 international artists who currently practice in the city of Philadelphia. PHILLY-BASED celebrates the creative contributions, flavors, and styles brought to the city by these artists, representing Philadelphia’s strength as a hub of cultural diversity.
Featured artists:
Lara Cantu-Hetzler (USA)
Chau Nguyen (Vietnam)
Anmol Mathur (India)
Lauren Whearty (USA)
Yuliya (Ukraine)
Linda Fernandez (Cuba)
Keir Johnston (USA)
Ziania Narvaez (Mexico)
Daniel Mendez (Colombia)
Annabel Perrigueur (France)
Madeline Conover (USA)
Nicola Wescombe (UK)
Paola Lambertin (Bolivia) .lambertin.photos
Jessica Carvajal (Colombia)
Karina Puente (USA)
Curation & poster by Jessica Carvajal.
On view November 11, 2022 through December 4, 2022. More information & tickets: https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/news/philly-based
Happy Halloween! You can say hello to this neon witch at our annex display (32nd & Market St).
We're open 12-5pm today & tomorrow. Get a lil neon twinkle in your eye and a lil Philly history in your brain.
Our final day open is December 11th. Make sure you visit by then. We have one more special exhibit opening November 12th. Stay tuned.
This is the final weekend to see 's personal Philly art collection on display here as "Philly Art Re/Collections." It's a colorful, eclectic mix of styles and media. Pairs well with the neon, so see it while it lasts.
We're open Friday, 1-6pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12-5pm.
We so appreciate the outpouring of love & support in response to our closing. Thank you, all. We'll keep you posted on the future, but for now, please do come see us and soak up the neonized Philly history.
+ On display for 2 more weekends: 's personal Philly art collection ft Cornbread, Ishknits, Stikman, Joe Boruchow, Frank Chappell III, Swoon, and so many more.
After almost two years of love and light, we’re sad to announce that the Neon Museum of Philadelphia is closing its doors.
As we near the end of our run, we celebrate the opportunity we’ve had to display our collection of history and art with visitors from Philadelphia and beyond. It has been a pleasure to share our love of neon and appreciation for Philly culture in this unique community space.
We’re grateful for your support and for our partnership with NextFab and all of our neighbors. Beyond its residence at 1800 North American Street, we would love the Museum to continue elsewhere in some form.
We’re seeking a new home for the collection that allows it to stay unified, local, and publicly accessible. Ideally, partnership with a local institution could make this dream possible.
The Museum’s final day will be December 11, 2022 and we’ll maintain our regular hours: Fridays 1pm to 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays 12pm to 5pm, (closed November 25). Here’s your chance to visit once more or experience our neon collection and special exhibitions for the first time.
Stay tuned for further announcements related to the future of the Neon Museum of Philadelphia. Let’s keep the lights shining and Philly culture burning bright.
From all of us here at the Museum, thanks for your support and hope to see you soon.
For all inquiries, please contact Alyssa Shea: [email protected]
Lots of art happenings round these parts this weekend. You could make a mighty fine day of: 1. Neon Museum, where we have 's varied Philly art collection on display alongside our 100+ neon signs & Phila history. 2. Phantasms of the Living, a neon art showcase ft and , opening at .records tomorrow! 3. WEIRDO: The East Kensington Arts and Oddities Festival at on Saturday. Swipe for visuals, dive in for details, make a plan to support Philly arts!
"Its blazing glory feels both futuristic and patriotic, a distillation of the hopeful, optimistic energy of the U.S. in the mid-20th century."
Pretty gray out there, but you can find a ray of sun at the museum. We're open 12-5pm today & tomorrow. Got a new exhibit up that's full of Philly art. Plus we're screening videos that demonstrate the craft of neon. Brighten up you day with us!
Photo by . You can purchase a print of this cool shot in our shop!
Our Philly Art Re/Collections exhibit opens tomorrow, Friday, 9/30! Join us to celebrate from 3-6pm.
It's looking good and full of Philly gems. Curated by a true Philly gem: .
Swipe to see the 2020 piece on Mary's art collection. Thrilled to host these works through October 23rd!
Opening this Friday, 9/30; reception 3-6pm! Philly Art Re/Collections: A personal exhibit of prints, posters, paintings, cards and crafts from Philly's street art & gallery scenes circa 2005 to present.
Curated by Mary Rastatter ().
Ft work from Cornbread, Ishknits, Stikman, Swoon, Joe Boruchow, Frank Chappell III, and more!
Tix & info at our website.
Poster by Jessika Carvajal ()
Enter the fall season, with its beautiful array of changing colors and bending light. Or escape it and enter the Neon Museum with its own spectacular colors and bends. We're open Fri 1-6pm, Sat & Sun 12-5pm.
Pictured is neon from Harry Jay Katz’s 1960s nightclub, The Katz Meow, which was housed in the former Erlanger theater. The Erlanger opened in 1927 at 21st and Market. In an era of movie palaces, its three lobbies, grand stairs, and lounges were indeed the Cat’s Meow. Furnishings included “imported marble, gold leaf, murals, tapestries, crystal chandeliers, crystal mirrors, antique woodwork… and elaborate Napoleonic French-inspired furniture.”
Katz’s nightclub struggled financially and by 1978, the storied theater was rubble. The site stayed vacant until 2008 when the Murano condominium was built.
CLOSING WEEKEND of special exhibition Art/Rock/Revelry. Don't miss this super saturated display of Philly's early 80s underground music scene: show flyers, zines, cassette comps, music videos, oral history, galore.
Come on Sunday, 9/18, 12-5pm, and close out the show with various contributors in attendance to celebrate this beautiful scene.
Final chances to see the show at the Neon Museum:
Friday, 1-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm
Thank you to all the contributors: Brewerytown Beats, Jim Menseses, Red Pedal Media, Bobby Startup, Jere Edmunds, JoeyBruno MusicArchives, Joe Ankenbrand, Dennis McHugh, Sic Kidz, Kenn Kweder, Sheva Golkow, Frank Blank Moriarty, Matt Marello, Elliott Levin, Rikki Ercoli, Roe Poalino, Nancy Barile, Michael Zodorozny.
❤️🤘
Peter Rose films capped off of our Welcome Worlds festival last night. What a beautiful presentation of poetic experimental film, including 3D works.
Reminder: we have today + Fri, Sat, Sun left to view special exhibition Art/Rock/Revelry! Closes Sunday, September 18th.
Interview with filmmaker Peter Rose, who is screening his films this evening as part of Welcome Worlds Live at the Neon Museum of Philadelphia: https://vimeo.com/402010583
Doors at 7pm. Screening starts at 8pm.
An interview with Peter Rose produced as part of the Senior Artists Initiative
FINAL NIGHT of our Welcome Worlds festival is TONIGHT: experimental films of Peter Rose. Doors at 7pm. Screening starts at 8pm.
Last night's Welcome Worlds performances were wonderful. Thank you to all who came out and to the incredible players: Toshi Makihara, Jim Meneses, Elliott Levin, and Jack Wright. Reels of their sets to come.
See ya tonight!
Stage is set for our Welcome Worlds music & film series this Thurs-Sat. Hope you can join us! Tix & info: https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/news/welcome-worlds-live
Thurs 9/8, 7pm: KEYBOARDS ft Stephen Dijoseph; Paul Woznicki & George Christie
Fri, 9/9, 7pm: SAX & DRUMS ft Jack Wright & Toshi Makihara; Elliott Levin & Jim Meneses
Sat, 9/10, 7pm: FILMS by Peter Rose
This week: Welcome Worlds Live music & film events at the museum! Thurs, Fri, Sat. 7pm each night. If you haven't seen our Art/Rock/Revelry exhibit or our permanent neon display, these shows are a great time to take them in while also catching live performances in this unique space.
See shots of the exhibit including listeners at our Welcome Worlds cassette station. Experience experimental Welcome Worlds artists live during this week's performance series.
Tickets & details: https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/news/welcome-worlds-live
Thurs 9/8: KEYBOARDS ft Stephen Dijoseph; Paul Woznicki & George Christie
Fri, 9/9: SAX & DRUMS ft Jack Wright & Toshi Makihara; Elliott Levin & Jim Meneses
Sat, 9/10: FILMS by Peter Rose
Liberty Bell Flower. An animated neon labor of love for Labor Day weekend. This upside down flower was made as a Philly Flower Show exhibit. Lots of animated neon to see on Sat and Sun at our Museum.
We're open all weekend: Friday thru Sunday. 💥Loving the way Saturn Club is glowing in this photo. Saturn Club was a hair salon on the 3400 block of Sansom Street. Historically, the street has been a setting for creative and alternative businesses on the edge of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
La Terrasse, a pioneering upscale French restaurant, opened there in 1966. In 1983 the White Dog Café was founded by social activist Judy Wicks and became the core enterprise of a complex that stretched through several interconnected Victorian brownstones.
Visitors could enjoy environmentally sustainable meals at the White Dog, obtain hair care and coffee at the Saturn Club, and purchase gifts at the adjoining Black Cat.
Saturn Club’s neon sign is fabricated in an uncommon font known as Beehive.
Got write-ups like this for all our signs, so dive into this beautiful pool of Philly commercial history meets Philly eye candy.
Join us for this mini festival of experimental music and film at the Neon Museum!
The 'Welcome Worlds Music from Philadelphia' cassette compilation features a wide range of underground audio work curated and published in 1987 by percussionist Jim Meneses. Figuring prominently in the Neon Museum’s current show Art/Rock/Revelry, 'Welcome Worlds' audio is exhibited in headphones along with accompanying booklets and archived press coverage.
For three nights, you can experience exciting live works from Philadelphia’s 'Welcome Worlds' artists under the Museum’s neon lights.
Thurs 9/8: KEYBOARDS ft Stephen Dijoseph; Paul Woznicki & George Christie
Fri, 9/9: SAX & DRUMS ft Jack Wright & Toshi Makihara; Elliott Levin & Jim Meneses
Sat, 9/10: FILMS by Peter Rose
Snag your tix at our website. 15% off when you buy tickets for more than 1 night. https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.org/news/welcome-worlds-live
This amazing store on 4th Street near South flourished in the 1980’s. Customers encountered a Flash Gordenesque ambiance composed of old light fixtures, trashcan lids, Neon, posters, and a symphony of cacophonous, colorful Ray guns set out for testing. Joel Spivak commissioned us to do the rocket ship for one of a pair of storefront windows. The second window contained a fantastic neon ray gun that was designed by his wife, artist Diane Keller. Though the ray gun is on display in our museum, the rocketship seems lost to posterity. Anyone know where it is?
Dancing Elvis of South Philly's short-lived dive, Blue Suede Saloon, which was located at S 16th & W Moyamensing. He's a museum crowd-pleaser, as is Kenn Kweder, who contributed to our current special exhibition and is with us this Saturday, 8/27, 3-5pm. Come listen to some tunes and talk about Philly music history. Buy admission tix on our website or pay at the door.
https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/tickets
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Thank you to all who came to the opening reception of PHILLY-BASED! These pictures capture the beauty of the day but not the volume of interest. The space was abuzz with love for Philly art & culture. You can catch this special exhibition through December 4th.
CLOSING WEEKEND of special exhibition Art/Rock/Revelry. Don't miss this super saturated display of Philly's early 80s underground music scene: show flyers, zines, cassette comps, music videos, oral history, galore. Come on Sunday, 9/18, 12-5pm, and close out the show with various contributors in attendance to celebrate this beautiful scene. Final chances to see the show at the Neon Museum: Friday, 1-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm Thank you to all the contributors: Brewerytown Beats, Jim Menseses, Red Pedal Media, Bobby Startup, Jere Edmunds, JoeyBruno MusicArchives, Joe Ankenbrand, Dennis McHugh, Sic Kidz, Kenn Kweder, Sheva Golkow, Frank Blank Moriarty, Matt Marello, Elliott Levin, Rikki Ercoli, Roe Poalino, Nancy Barile, Michael Zodorozny. ❤️🤘
Four Philly legends of improvised music jam at the end of Welcome Worlds day 2: Toshi Makihara, Jim Meneses, Elliott Levin, Jack Wright.
Elliott Levin on sax & flute, Jim Meneses on drums & percussion during our Welcome Worlds festival. Philly improvised music at its finest. These two collaborated to release the original Welcome Worlds compilations in the late 80s and contributed to our Art/Rock/Revelry exhibit. Thank you to @jim.meneses for organizing and curating the Welcome Worlds festival. We're honored to host the continuance of his legacy spotlighting Philly's underground arts. See more of Philly's underground legacy in our Art/Rock/Revelry exhibit, only open thru THIS SUNDAY, September 18th.
Jack Wright on sax and Toshi Makihara on percussion. An exciting performance of improvised music during our Welcome Worlds festival.
Woz (Paul Woznicki) and George Christie performing last night at our Welcome Worlds festival. Captivating sonic twists & turns. What a glowing set to complement the neon. Day 2 of the festival is TONIGHT: sax & drums. Come out! Film screenings close out the festival tomorrow. Details on our website.
@stephendijoseph performing last night at our Welcome Worlds festival. A scintillating set we're thrilled to have experienced. Followed by Woz & George Christie (watch our reels for their exciting recap). There are 2 more nights of the festival! Come out tonight for sax & drums performances and tomorrow for film screenings. Details on our website.
Big thanks to @kennkweder for his performance at the museum today. Was an afternoon delight. Catch him on our Dobbs wall anytime and in our special exhibition Art/Rock/Revelry through Sept 18. 🤘
Dancing Elvis of South Philly's short-lived dive, Blue Suede Saloon, which was located at S 16th & W Moyamensing. He's a museum crowd-pleaser, as is Kenn Kweder, who contributed to our current special exhibition and is with us this Saturday, 8/27, 3-5pm. Come listen to some tunes and talk about Philly music history. Buy admission tix on our website or pay at the door. https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/tickets
Kenn Kweder is in the house this Saturday, 3-5pm, playing some low key tunes, sharing stories to further illuminate Philly's music history. Come hang out, talk potatoes and the arts in Philly, bring some questions. See contributions from Kweder & others in our Art/Rock/Revelry exhibit alongside our beautiful neon collection. $10 museum admission covers the experience. Book online or walk in. https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/visit#specialexhibitions
NEW FRIDAY HOURS take effect on 7/15: 1pm-6pm. That means tomorrow is our final Friday of 4pm-8pm hours. Take note and book accordingly!
🔊 Friday ASMR courtesy of @eveningneon, who will be at the museum this Sunday, (7/3), 12-5pm. She's bringing a wonderful new display of neon tools to aid in the discussion of the practice. So jet over to American and Berks and bring your neon curiosity.
Get yourself a neon tan this summer. Visit us Friday-Sunday. We also book space rentals and group tours.
Join us tomorrow at 7pm ET as we go LIVE with @jessiehusbanddesigns. Jessie's neighborhood maps bring so much character to our City of Love exhibit, which is entering it's FINAL WEEKEND. On display are Jessie's Kensington, Northern Liberties, and Wissahickon maps. Tune into our IG Live at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday, 6/16) to chat it up with Jessie Husband and then get over here this weekend so you don't miss this show! Artist statement: "I love Philly, also referred to as "The city of neighborhoods". In creating these maps, I've learned a ton of local history through research and input from locals on what makes each neighborhood so special. The content on each map is slightly different but I try to include local history, landmarks, parks and even kitschy cartoons depicting local debates on neighborhood boundaries! The maps are sort of like a timestamp, I think it will be interesting to see how the neighborhoods change over time. I have illustrated about 13 Philly neighborhood maps but there are still so many more to do!" -Jessie Husband
4 weekends left to catch City of Love: Artists Inspired by Philadelphia. Papercuts, paintings, photos, woodcuts & wheatpaste, illustrations, ceramics - all celebrating this beautiful city. We're open Fri-Sun. Book tix at our website or walk in. Featured artists: Sean9Lugo @sean9lugo Terrill Kevyn Johnson @artdelasoul Tom Judd @tomjuddart Bradley Maule @mauleofamerica Olivia Duffy @ohduff Mason From Blendini @masonfromblendini Jessie Husband @jessiehusbanddesigns Yeho Bostick @phillybeardo Rosa Leff @rosaleff Lace In The Moon @lace_in_the_moon Paul Carpenter @paulcarpenterart Ellie Moniz @elliemonizwatercolors Jessica Rogers @cityillustrator Dave Krevolin @therowhousecity
It's a good day to visit the Neon Museum. Experience the city without being out in the heat. Our City of Love exhibit featuring 14 local artists is radiating Philly pride and beauty. Our permanent collection of 120+ neon signs tells Philly history. @nextfab_phl hosts the Sustain Your Neighborhood Arts & Food Festival from 11am to 6pm. We're here 12pm - 5pm. #neonmuseum #phillyweekend #philly #phillyart #phillyartist #phillyfood #1800north #phillyhistory #phillymuseum #visitphilly #whyilovephilly #sustainablephilly #phillyneon #philadelphia #phillyevents #shoplocalphilly
Welcome to all our new followers! Quite a few new-in-'22, so here's a lil snapshot of NMOP. If you haven't visited us yet, let's make a date. We're here all weekend (Fri-Sun). We've got a parking lot + public transit options. We're a $10 ticket (kids enter 4 free). We share a roof with @nextfab_phl, @sorynez, @beaty_american, @theresourceexchange, @keystone.bike, so you can really make a day of it: shopping, bike tune-up, food & drinks + the history, culture, and beauty of vintage Philly neon. Next weekend we open our new exhibit with the reception on Saturday, Jan 29th, from 1pm to 4pm. Entitled NEON CURRENTS, the show features 8 contemporary neon artists. Very exciting. More to come on that. Stay tuned!
An ode to the Trolley Car Diner. It was one of the last 5-point neon animations found in Philly and the highlight of a career in neon for NMOP founder Len Davidson. Watch as we plot the removal of the neon, labeling each glass unit and transformer. Though multi-point animated neon was frequently used from the 1930s into the '60s, it's hardly ever seen now. The only recent ones in the area that come to mind, other than the now defunct Trolley Car, are the 16-point animations at Iovine Brothers Produce in Reading Terminal Market. There's also the Giles & Ransom bulldozer in Bensalem, but that dates back to the 1940s. It's sad to see Philly's street life lose this neon spectacular, but hopefully it will emerge from storage someday and be relit. And perhaps there are new neon extravaganzas cropping up in the city...more on that in our next chapter. Hidden City Philadelphia Go Mt. Airy
::Cue the gravelly action movie voiceover:: This holiday season...coming to a lapel or a jean jacket or a really badass tote bag near you...NMOP ENAMEL PINS. Order all 3 designs on our website or shop with us in person and feel the weight of that painted metal in the palm of your hand. https://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/shop
@eveningneon shared her neon toolbox with us. Museum guest @simoneruthhh soaked it all in & asked lots of questions, making it a spirited session for all. Catch more of these fun pop-up events at the Museum. Let us know what you want to learn about neon!
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia was established in 1983 but its foundation was laid in 1950s Philadelphia and the 1970s South.
In 1977, while teaching sociology at the University of Florida, Len Davidson opened an American Dream theme tavern, The Gamery. This multimedia scene contained racing Lionel Trains, antique pinball displays, a Hollywood celebrity booth, superhero figures, and game-playing customers decked out in hats and masks.
Presiding over this lunacy was NEON. Len and friends picked through neon boneyards and mounted dozens of alluring signs on the ceiling. The Gamery beat teaching undergrads and Len’s professor persona was left in the dust.
Davidson apprenticed with Jim Williams, an old-time sign man. “Neon is an absolute art,” Williams preached while rotating glass in the fires. A true believer, Davidson hit the road, scavenging Florida and New Orleans for relics and lore.
Returning to Philly in 1979 (with ’59 Chevy piled high with tubing), Davidson began to unearth his hometown’s magical neon history. He sought out remaining tube benders who described the city’s spectacular but vanishing neon heritage. He began to design signs and acquire neglected treasures on the street.
The die was cast: Davidson Neon Design would produce new neon and the Neon Museum of Philadelphia would preserve the old. Over 40 years, the twin initiatives merged, and an amazing cast of characters helped create today’s NMOP.
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