Neon Preservation Fund
The Missouri Association’s Neon Heritage Preservation Committee (NHPC) was established by its Board of Directors in July 2006. Inspired by the success of New Mexico’s neon preservation and restoration program, the Missouri Association Board agreed that a similar initiative should be launched to preserve the neon heritage of our state.
The NHPC’s primary mission is twofold: to find homes for orphaned neon signs from Route 66 that come into our possession, and to preserve and restore, with historical accuracy, vintage neon signs that remain at their original locations.
To accomplish this, the NHPC assembled a team of three professionals from within the Association. Dubbed "Team Neon" by a St. Louis newspaper after winning a "Best of St. Louis" award in 2013, the team consists of:
Jim Thole (Committee Chairman), a retired banker/CPA
David Hutson, neon restoration consultant and owner of NeonTime in St. Charles, MO
Bob Gehl, team advisor with extensive experience in marketing and PR
All four team members reside in the St. Louis area.
Like any new venture, the NHPC faced the challenge of finding its first project to demonstrate its mission. This opportunity arose on May 6, 2007, when a windstorm damaged the lower mounting bracket of the iconic neon sign above the Donut Drive-In at 6525 Chippewa (Route 66) in St. Louis, where it had been a landmark since 1952.
Initially, the owners considered scrapping the damaged sign. However, after recognizing its historical significance and receiving encouragement from the NHPC, they decided to restore it instead. A crucial factor in their decision was the availability of a National Park Service (NPS) 50/50 cost-share grant through the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which supports the restoration of historic properties along Route 66.
On November 1, 2008, the animated sign was restored to its former brilliance, marking the beginning of a new tradition: an annual neon restoration project funded by the NPS grant program and celebrated with a "re-lighting party" to honor the return of another neon sentinel to its rightful place.
John Murphey, from the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, attended the re-lighting celebration of the Munger Moss Motel neon sign in 2010. During his remarks, he noted, "Signs such as these are not just calling cards for Route 66; they are local landmarks and symbols of pride."
These words capture the essence of the NHPC’s passion for preserving historic neon signs. Over time, these signs have become much more than advertising tools; they are treasured symbols of community identity, pride, and nostalgia.