Difference between revisions of "Neon Museum of Philadelphia (NMOP)"

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{{toplink|url=http://www.davidsonneon.com/museum.htm|name=davidsonneon.com/museum.htm}}Len Davidson began collecting old neon signs in the mid-1970s and established the Neon Museum of Philadelphia in 1985. The Museum's mission is to preserve, restore and display classic neon signs for the public to enjoy. About 150+ neon pieces in the collection date to the 1950's and earlier.
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{{toplink|url=http://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/|name=neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com}}[[File:NeonMuseumOfPhila.jpg|thumb|right|1950s Howard Johnson's Lamplighter, part of the collection of the Neon Museum of Philadelphia.]]
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On February 27, 2023, we found the following notice on the museum's website: "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." The following information is now history:
  
There are several types of pieces in the collection:
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The '''Neon Museum of Philadelphia''' was established in 1983 but its foundation was laid in 1950s Philadelphia and the 1970s South.
*Exterior metal and neon signs with painted faces, such as Levis.
 
*Exterior metal and neon signs with porcelain faces, such as Lamplighter and Sherwin Williams.
 
*Neon signs that were hung in windows or displayed in other business interior spaces.
 
*Neon clocks.
 
*Neon art pieces.
 
*Painted plastic signs with back-lit neon interiors.
 
*Folk art type neon constructions made by old-time tubebenders.
 
*Non-neon painted wooden signs.
 
  
''Note:''  The above descriptive information came from the museum's [http://www.davidsonneon.com/museum.htm home page].
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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''Note:''  The above descriptive information came from the museum's [http://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/about About] page.
  
 
==In The News==
 
==In The News==
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*[http://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-neon-museum-final-show-philly-based-contemporary-transplants/ Philly's past meets its future in the final show at the Neon Museum], WHYY, November 30, 2022.
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*[http://philadelphiaweekly.com/flip-the-switch-the-neon-museum-of-philadelphia-will-light-up-your-life/ Flip the switch: the Neon Museum of Philadelphia will light up your life], Philadelphia Weekly, January 21, 2021.
 
*[http://billypenn.com/2019/08/11/the-neon-museum-of-philadelphia-has-found-a-permanent-home/ The Neon Museum of Philadelphia has found a permanent home], Billy Penn, August 11, 2019.
 
*[http://billypenn.com/2019/08/11/the-neon-museum-of-philadelphia-has-found-a-permanent-home/ The Neon Museum of Philadelphia has found a permanent home], Billy Penn, August 11, 2019.
  
[[Category:Is-Museum]]
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==Info==
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*Alternative URL: [http://www.davidsonneon.com/museum.htm Davidson Neon and Neon Museum]
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*Business: [http://www.davidsonneon.com/davineon.htm Davidson Neon]
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*Digital Collection: [http://www.davidsonneon.com/postcards.htm Neon Sign Postcards]
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*Exhibits: [http://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/collection Collection]
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*Facebook: [http://www.facebook.com/neonmuseumofphiladelphia/ @neonmuseumofphiladelphia]
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*Store: [http://neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com/shop Museum Store]
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*Twitter: [http://twitter.com/NeonMuseumPhila @NeonMuseumPhila]
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[[Category:Does-Digital_Collection]] [[Category:Does-Online_Store]]
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[[Category:Is-Business]] [[Category:Is-History_Museum]] [[Category:Is-Museum]] [[Category:Is-Past]] [[Category:Is-Tourist_Attraction]]
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[[Category:Makes-Signs]]
 
[[Category:Where-Center_City_East]]
 
[[Category:Where-Center_City_East]]
  
{{W}}
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[[Contact Email::info@neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com| ]]

Latest revision as of 18:21, 27 February 2023

neonmuseumofphiladelphia.com

1950s Howard Johnson's Lamplighter, part of the collection of the Neon Museum of Philadelphia.

On February 27, 2023, we found the following notice on the museum's website: "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." The following information is now history:

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.

Note:  The above descriptive information came from the museum's About page.

In The News

Info