Cincinnati Gardens – Letters Signage

‘Cincinnati Sign Garden’ is composed of reverse channel porcelain enamel letters of the famed Cincinnati Gardens arena. The signage had hung above the arena’s main entrance since about the early 1960s.

The letters were likely fabricated by the former Barrow Porcelain Enamel Company, which was located a few blocks from the Gardens. The company specialized in porcelain enamel, a very durable finish that is basically a layer of colored glass melted and fused or “fired” onto a metal background.

Opened in 1949, the venue once hosted many sporting events and concerts—it was even one of the first American venues to welcome the Beatles! After closing in 2016, the arena’s scheduled demolition led to a call for preserving the signage. The Museum was able to acquire the letters in 2017 and arranged with Klusty Sign Associates of Cincinnati to rework the “S” and add the script “ign” to create the perfect title for this display.

Very Good

08/22/2018: furnish new “IGN letters and install all reading “Cincinnati Sign Garden” at ASM by Klusty Sign Associations, $16,326

Permit files in hard copy