Category: News

We’re thrilled to be listed on the Philadelphia Inquirer’s list of 22 essential Philly museums. Click here to read the full list, compiled by Candis Mclean.

September 3, 2021 – October 10, 2021

Philadelphia has been a center for brewing since the 1700s. This exhibit draws on the breweriana collection of Larry Handy, focusing roughly on the period from 1850 to 1950, when Philadelphia was known as the “Workshop of the World.” Since 1970, Larry has amassed superb examples of brewery photos, trays, literature and other memorabilia.

This exhibit includes videos from Larry and local beer historian Rich Wagner, as well as opportunities to meet and talk with Larry and other present day participants in the burgeoning craft brewing industry.

In conjunction with Sor Ynez, Nextfab’s Mexican restaurant, the Museum will offer discounted beer specials for museum patrons.

Book your visit.

PCA interviewed NMOP founder Len Davidson for a feature in their Milestones publication. Read it here.

We’re honored to be a 2021 ‘Best of’ winner in Philadelphia Magazine. Say hello to Philly’s best ‘Museum You Didn’t Know Existed’.

Check out the write-up here, and see all the award winners here.

Thanks for the recognition, Philadelphia Magazine!

On view from July 2nd through August 8th, 2021

Across the globe, artifacts from pre-Internet commerce emerge from building facades in hand-painted figures and fonts of vintage advertisements. Known as ghost signs, these faded wall ads are folk art diamonds in the rough of today’s shiny plastic cities. Their fossilized messages, ranging from obvious to obscure, are the focus of our show’s ghost sign hunters, who’ve captured these fading designs and histories in photographs, videos, and interviews.

A live wall painting event will be held at the Museum by Philadelphia sign painter Gibbs Connors on July 3, 2021. Appearances by different photographers will occur throughout the exhibit as will additional demonstrations by Gibbs. Stay tuned for announcements.

Featuring work by Peter Woodall, Frank Jump, Chris Brace, Len Davidson, MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson, Gibbs Connors, and Jordan Keiffer.

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We’ve designated space to display your notes and pictures, thoughts and memories. Share with us:

1. Pictures, xeroxes, articles about your Dad

2. Sentiments and poems about Dad

3. What’s it like to be a father? What have you learned?

4. Dad’s hobbies, leisure interests, and games (especially street games)

5. Dad’s links to Philly (if any). What did/does he like to do here?

6. Images and info on “Fathers of Neon” (Georges Claude, Rudi Stern, Neon makers you know or admire)

Bring in write-ups or fill out 3 x 5 cards to post at the museum.

Book tickets for your visit.

Max Ufberg for Atlas Obscura interviewed NMOP founder Len Davidson about the opening of the Museum and how he got started in the neon world.  Click here to read the full article.

Now Showing through June 13th, 2021:

Joel Spivak’s “The South Street Renaissance, or, How A Handful of Acidheads Brought South Street Back from the Ruins.”

Join us for a freewheeling journey through 300 years of South Street lunacy, from earliest foundations to hippie parades; featuring photos of South Street in the 1960s by Denise Scott Brown.

Joel Spivak is an architect, author, historian, ray gun peddler, and one of the saviors of Philadelphia’s South Street.

Book your visit.

Kimberly Haas of Hidden City stopped by to cover the Museum  and its special exhibition by Joel Spivak, “The South Street Renaissance.” Read the full story here.