Save Historic Chicago Hand Painted Signs

We are a cohort of Chicago Sign Painters; Bob Behounek, Robert Frese, Kelsey Dalton McClellan and Andrew McClellan. We have come together to raise awareness of these historic signs and save them from the building's impending demolition. With help from Cultural Historian Emeritus - City of Chicago, Tim Samuelson, we've dated the signs to the late 1920s and early 1930s. Dating back almost 100 years, these signs are an unprecedented find and a unique look back into Chicago's history and the important influence sign painting and design have had on the visual landscape of our city. The legacy of these signs and the individuals who painted them continues, and we feel it is vital to preserve and share this history.

With permission from the building owner, we will remove the wooden slats to preserve them and put them on public display. The American Sign Museum has offered a permanent home, and we hope to find interest from a local Chicago institution. The funds will cover scaffolding, removal costs/labor, transportation and temporary storage. This will be done carefully and expediently to ensure they are removed before the building is demolished within the next month.

We sincerely thank you for your shared interest in saving these signs. Please reach out with any suggestions or inquiries.