THE UGLY DUCKLING RETURNS TO THE NEON MUSEUM BONEYARD AFTER RESTORATION
WHAT:
The whimsical Ugly Duckling sign has returned home to the Neon Museum’s Boneyard after receiving extensive restoration and refurbishment. The popular, double-sided sign has been re-electrified in all its glory for the public to enjoy during boneyard admission hours.
Originating at Ugly Duckling Car Sales on East Fremont Street, the sign greeted motorists and passersby, becoming a well-known landmark. The roadside pylon dates back to the 1990s and conjures nostalgia for many Las Vegas locals. The Ugly Duckling has been present at the Boneyard since the Neon Museum’s grand opening in October 2012 and is now located close to the entrance of the boneyard next to the La Concha motel sign.
FAST FACTS:
- The restoration took approximately 136-man hours to complete.
- The total amount of neon replaced encompassed four 50-pound cases totaling approximately 800 linear feet of glass ordered for replacement.
ABOUT THE NEON MUSEUM
Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. It has been ranked No. 1 in Las Vegas Weekly’s list of “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History,” one of “Sin City’s Best Retro Sites” by MSN, “No. 1 Las Vegas Museum Sure to Entertain and Educate” by USAToday’s 10best.com, “One of the Top 10 Coolest Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do” by Forbes.com, one of the “Top 10 Historic Spots in Las Vegas” by Vegas.com; one of “15 Most Fascinating Museums in the U.S.” by VacationIdea.com; and earns a consistent 4.5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor. On its 2.27-acre campus, the Neon Museum houses an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard (“boneyard” is traditionally the name for an area where items no longer in use are stored); the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual spectacle “Brilliant!” which uses technology advances to re-illuminate more than 40 non-operational signs; the new Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center, housed inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes nine restored signs installed as public art throughout downtown Las Vegas. Public education, outreach, research, archival preservation and a grant-funded neon sign survey represent a selection of the museum’s ongoing projects. The museum is located at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North in Las Vegas. For tour schedules and pricing information, visit neonmuseum.org.
