DescriptionThis unique neon fireplace dates to around the 1930s. These types of signs were usually advertising an act or a musical performer in a theater and were popular throughout the 1930s-40s. Where this one says fireplace they usually say "Appearing Now" or "So and So is performing," etc. and then the center, where our fireplace is located, is interchangeable cards advertising the performer with their photo. When the sign was discovered in the early 2000s, the sign had been stripped down to the framework. The donor did know that the sign was never installed into a theater, but unfortunately not much beyond that. Local artist Diana Duncan Holmes retrofitted the middle of the sign with a fireplace before the family decided to donate the sign to the Museum.