Rohs Hardware Wooden Sign
Name/Title
Rohs Hardware Wooden SignEntry/Object ID
2019.0002.0076Description
This wooden sign shows a character holding a saw and hammer, reads, "Rohs Hardware Family Owned since 1933," and is enclosed with a red border. It was created by Doc Welty and intended to be a 1940s-inspired mascot. Like many storefronts and signs on Main Street, it was created by one of the select group of sign-painters who contributed to the making of Main Street in 2012. It was inspired by the entire Rohs hardware storefront which is original from Cincinnati and not faux. Rohs Hardware was a Cincinnati landmark in the 1500 block of Vine Street in Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine neighborhood. The store closed in 2009 and its building was sold to become a wine bar. The museum originally inquired about acquiring just the “ROHS” neon-lit letters. Further conversations determined that, in fact, the entire storefront façade of porcelain enamel panels and other signs were scheduled to be removed and scrapped, prompting the museum to ask if they could have the entire façade. The new owners heartily approved and the entire façade was removed, panel-by-panel and re-installed on the museum’s Main Street. Even the original front door was acquired and re-hung in all its patina-ed glory.Collection
Permanent CollectionCategory
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