Drexel University
30+ neon art and vintage pieces with explanatory texts. Firestone Building, 32nd & Market Sts., Phila. Visible from windows, illuminated daily 10:30am to 10:30pm. Free
VISIT
NOW SHOWING
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia is OPEN to visitors for limited days and times! Reserve your tickets using the link below.
ABOUT
The Neon Museum of Philadelphia at NextFab features over 120 vintage and art pieces, displayed in our gallery and throughout the building (plus another 30 at our satellite annex at Drexel University’s Firestone building).
We offer activities, events, videos, changing art shows, and a museum shop.
The block-long NextFab building is also home to other arts-related organizations, a restaurant, and business incubator spaces.
COVID
COVID is still a primary concern for our staff and visitors, so we require the following:
MASKS: All visitors are requested to wear masks inside the Museum and throughout NextFab if they are not fully vaccinated. For visitors who are fully vaccinated, masks are optional.
SOCIAL DISTANCING: Please maintain a distance of 6 feet or more between you and other visitors.
The Museum reserves the right to ask any visitor not following these regulations to leave.
HOURS
Limited days and hours
Reservations are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Founding Members may always schedule a preview tour
ADMISSION
$10 admission
7 to 12 year olds: Free
Under 7: Not admitted
To protect children and exhibitions, children under 7 not admitted and visitors under 16 must be accompanied by supervising adult
Members admitted free with membership card
Contact us for group and private tour rates
Memberships available
ACCESSIBILITY
NextFab’s entrances are fully accessible to those in wheelchairs and with other mobility issues. The Neon Museum is also fully accessible. Please contact us if you encounter accessibility barriers or require assistance.
LOCATION
Neon Museum of Philadelphia
at NextFab
1800 North American St, Unit E
Philadelphia, PA 19122
TRANSPORTATION
Southwest corner of North American and Berks Streets. Two blocks west of Berks Station on the Market-Frankford Line.
PARKING
Free enclosed parking lot on site
CONTACT
(267) 534-3883
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
Seeing Ghosts: 7 Photographers Capture Faded Wall Ads
Previous
Next
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 artist Gibbs Connors on July 3rd. 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 Connor, and Jordan Keiffer.
SATELLITE VENUES
In addition to our home at NextFab, the Museum’s satellite venues remain a moveable feast with locations around the city:
Foundation for Architecture
Two vintage signs and a neon clock are displayed in these offices. 1608 Walnut Street, Ste 1702, Phila. To schedule a visit, call (215) 546-1146. Free
TOURS & TALKS
The Neon Museum offers presentations and walking / bus tours for civic, educational, convention, and architectural groups. We explore neon history and Philadelphia vernacular design as a window into Philadelphia’s commercial and cultural heritage. Most tours are local but we’ve presented at venues across the country.
SELECTED PAST NEON EXHIBITIONS
Avanti Gallery, Neon Visions, Philadelphia, 1988
Center for Architecture, Philadelphia, 2008 – 2013
Community College of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Illuminated, Philadelphia, 1986
Folk and Outsider Art Gallery, Pottstown, 2009
Moore College of Art, Collecting, Philadelphia, 1995
Park Towne Place, Light and Language, Philadelphia, 2018
Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal D, Philadelphia, 2001
Sedgwick Cultural Center, Philadelphia, 2004 (curator)
The Touraine, Penthouse Neon Party, Philadelphia, 2018
Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, Storefront, 2001
Philadelphia Dumpster Diver Art Shows, 1995 – present