DAVIDSON NEON + NEON MUSEUM OF PHILADELPHIA

1950s Buster Brown & Tige, restored in 1984
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 100+ neon pieces in the collection date to the 1950's and earlier.
1. The Collection
2. Viewing the collection

Home | Davidson Neon | Museum | Postcards | Vintage Neon Book | References | Links

1. The Collection

There are several types of pieces in the collection:

A. Exterior metal and neon signs with painted faces, such as Levis

1950's Levis Hot Dog
B. Exterior metal and neon signs with porcelain faces, such as Lamplighter and Sherwin Williams

1950s Howard Johnson's Lamplighter

1950s Sherwin-Williams Paints "Cover The Earth"

C. Neon signs that were hung in windows or displayed in other business interior spaces

D. Neon clocks

E. Neon art pieces

F. Painted plastic signs with back-lit neon interiors

G. Folk art type neon constructions made by old-time tubebenders

H. Non-neon painted wooden signs

2. Viewing the Collection

The original display concept was to loan the signs to individual merchants and organizations so that the neon could be seen in a street context. In the 1980s, the museum restored and installed over 20 signs in storefronts and on building exteriors at no cost to the receiver of the loan.

1950s Pontiac Logo was on loan at the Silk City Diner until the Diner was sold in 2006.

Over time, this became unwieldy as businesses closed or changed owners. Several new business owners tried to keep signs in their possession. Another factor was the significant time and money it takes to install and later remove a sizable neon sign. Finally, the rapid growth of the collection added to the logistical problems in scattering the signs.

1950s Pat's Steaks Crown, on loan at Jack's Firehouse restaurant;
Pioneer & Originator of the Steak Sandwich in storage

Though there are still about 10 pieces on loan, the bulk of the collection have been consolidated into several storage locations, while they await a long term home for viewing. We have been and are currently in talks with restaurants, museums, and other public buildings, but no location has been established to date.

This does not mean you can't view some of the pieces. Len Davidson does guided tours of the signs for individuals and groups, and also conducts bus tours/slide shows for civic, convention and educational groups that examine both his collection and other Philadelphia signs. For more information contact Len Davidson at len@davidsonneon.com or phone 215-232-0478.