Signs of the Times Exhibit at the Museum of Boulder

Date and Time

• Fri, Apr 25, 2025 - Sun, Jun 29, 2025  9am - 5pm

Location

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Details

Made up of signs from the Museum’s own collection, Signs of the Times evokes memories of shared experiences and places found in Boulder’s past. As a sign’s very purpose is to capture the public’s attention, these objects enjoy a range of colors and shapes and always have an interesting story to tell.

Retail and promotional signs are among the earliest forms of signage to have developed. Among the most memorable and earliest signs in our collection are painted or carved advertisements for shops and other places of business. One of the earliest and most recognizable trade signs to survive into modern times is the red and white barber’s pole. Various enamel signs became common between 1880 and 1950 and are well represented in our collection. The neon sign’s visibility led to their widespread commercial adoption by the 1930s.

No matter how made, every sign has a story to tell. It’s our community’s story and a great way to share Boulder’s history.