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Rescue, Restore, Illuminate.

About

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The LUMI Neon Museum proudly joins forces with Pennway Point. The Kansas City Automotive Museum, and other Kansas City organizations to present vintage neon.

Tax deductible contributions not only help preserve and display these historic signs; they also help educate the public about the businesses they promoted, and their contributions to Kansas City commerce.

All donated funds go to sign rescue, restoration and re-installation. Our board is a working board; our time is volunteered; none are paid a salary.

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Our Vision

“Save the Kansas City Neon!”

Much of Kansas City’s history is written in neon. The LUMI Neon Museum was founded to save vintage Kansas City neon. In early 2017, with the rescue of the 1946 Crick Camera sign, nationally recognized Kansas City photographer Nick Vedros had an insight: “We need to save the Kansas City neon.”
From this initial insight, the vision for the The LUMI Neon Museum was born.

The plan was to create a vintage neon museum, a publicly funded non-profit 501(c)(3), that will rescue, restore, preserve and display iconic neon signs, primarily from Kansas City area businesses. To that end, Nick put the weight of his 40-plus years of professional experience to work, assembling a team of prominent Kansas City business people to comprise the LUMI Board of Directors.

Every sign has a story; we intend to tell each one, including history, business ownership, donor credit, the restoration process and more. Like all good museums, we intend to do more than present a neon display; our goal is also to enlighten.

LUMINITES

Principal Officers

  • Nick Vedros, President
  • Mike Bruhn, Vice President
  • Anne Beckett, Secretary
  • Brian McCallister, Assistant Secretary & Legal
  • Steve Wright, Treasurer

Board of Directors

  • Pam Besheer, Marketing Manager
  • Bob Bernstein, Visionary
  • Dudley Burt, Art Director
  • Philipp Eirich, Digital Advisor & Strategist
  • Leslie Gilbert, Editor
  • Debra Goldstein, Fundraising
  • Lisa Hickok, Strategist
  • Bill Ost, Writer

Advisory Board

  • Suzie Aron of Aron Real Estate
  • Patty Bowen, Strategist
  • Erin Gould Ph.D, Neon Bender Archivist
  • Steve Hartwich, Research
  • Sean Pickett, Legal
  • Tim Strobel, Logistics
  • Anna Marie Tutera, LUMI Advisor
  • Jason Walker, Restoration & Exhibit
  • Ben Wine, Restoration & Exhibit
  • Ann Willoughby, Brand Consultant
  • Nick Yoss, Logistics & Preservation

All donated funds go to sign rescue, restoration and re-installation. Our board is a working board; our time is volunteered; none are paid a salary.

Faq

The LUMI Neon Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to rescue, restore, preserve, and display vintage neon from Greater Kansas City businesses in a permanent museum setting where they will entertain, inform and educate locals and visitors alike. Every sign has a story. We intend to tell each one.

The LUMI Neon Museum looks forward to opening in 2024 at Pennway Point, 2435 Jefferson St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Meanwhile, we continue to build relationships with various art and historic entities such as museums, local art councils, developing art districts and supportive local businesses. 

Become a Friend of LUMI and we’ll keep you posted on our latest museum plans and developments, as well as tell you about newly acquired signs, affiliations and more.

It seems like this number changes daily. To date, we have rescued more than 97 signs, more than 60 of which have been restored, and received commitments to restore three more.

Here are three ways you can help The LUMI Neon Museum: 

1: Help us find and rescue vintage neon. If you know of a sign in need (of a good home, or rescue,) contact us at [email protected].

2: Take an active role in the restoration and preservation of a sign with your financial sponsorship. Wherever it is displayed, you’ll get the credit. If you are interested in sponsoring a LUMI sign, speak directly and confidentially with a senior LUMI board member here.

3: Donate today! Contact us at [email protected] or donate through our GoFundMe page.

Yes. The LUMI Neon Museum is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax-deductible contributions not only help preserve and display these vintage signs, but also help educate the public about the business they promoted and their contributions to Kansas City area commerce.

All donated funds go to sign rescue, restoration and re-installation. Our board is a working board; our time is volunteered; none are paid a salary.

SIGNS RESCUED

SIGNS RESTORED

SIGNS SPONSORED

CURRENTLY BEING RESTORED