January 7 marked the end of an era as the museum closed its doors at the original Essex Studios location so as to move into its new, greatly expanded home. Just the week before — New Year’s Eve — a fitting final tour was conducted after nearly seven years of Saturday tours. The occasion was definitely cause for a celebration, and party we did.
A planning committee, headed up by board members Chris Danforth (Duke Energy) and Alison Shimala (Champlin Architects) had been meeting for the previous eight weeks to plan the final hurrah. The first round of evites went out three weeks before the event, followed by a second round one week out, each asking for RSVPs. Registrations reached the 350 mark by January 5; spurred by a January 6 full-page article in the Cincinnati Enquirer; registration topped 700 by the morning of the event. When it was all over, more than 1,000 people attended. Most of the visitors were from the tri-state (OH, IN, KY) area; some admitted they had always wanted to come to the museum, and didn’t want to miss their last opportunity. There were also avid supporters, wanting to bring relatives or friends who had never visited.
A team of 15 museum volunteers, staff and board members prepared and dished out popcorn, cotton candy, and, of course, hot dogs. Guests’ expressions of “thanks for preserving these signs,” “thanks for doing what you’re doing,” etc. were overwhelming. So, too, were the offers of donating signs and/or volunteering services to help with “the big move.” Cameras flashed constantly as families and friends posed in front of their favorite sign. Even the weather cooperated as temperatures hovered in the mid-50s for the winter afternoon event.
It was an historic day, a wonderful affirmation and a great segue as we move towards the grand opening at our new 20,000-sq.-ft. home. The e-mails of congratulations and thanks you’s in the several days that followed—many with images of the festivities attached that appear here—further attest to the great support the museum has enjoyed and can look forward to in the future.