SIGNS OF THE TIMES
As the next component in discovering and sharing photos and stories of Missouri’s historic places, MMSC is launching the Signs of the Times photo contest to create a poster featuring vintage, rehabbed, and new signage in Missouri.
Signs have provided people with direction and information about the places they work, shop, and visit for centuries. They influence how we enjoy and explore historic commercial districts consciously and subconsciously with their visual design. We imagine they say “check this out” each time someone passes by. In Missouri, countless unique and memorable signs are displayed just as they have been since their installation, serving the same purpose to enrich guest’s experiences with their visual details.
The Signs of the Times photo contest provides an opportunity for community members to share memories they have of a location in their downtown centered around its signage. This signage can be vintage, rehabbed, or new including: neon, ghost signs, wayfinding or street signs, murals, or business signs.
We are excited to discover and share the stories behind the signage that you submit! If only these signs could talk about the variety of events that happened around them. From the many memories made, the shop owners cutting the ribbon on their first day open for business, the impromptu road trip pit stop that turned into an experience of a lifetime, or a couples first kiss; Missouri is a special place full of stories to be shared. We can connect to the people, events, and culture that have shaped our Missouri communities through the memories and stories that are in our hearts and in the physical locations that persevere.
Round 1
MMSC will launch round one of the Signs of the Times photo contest to create a poster featuring vintage, rehabbed, and new signage in Missouri and collect photos and stories for the “Memories on Main Street” anthology in March of 2025. This first round will open on March 6th and close on June 15th. The submissions will be displayed in a gallery at the 2025 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference in St. Charles, where attendees will select ten winners to be featured in the “Signs of the Time” poster for Preservation Month 2026.
How to Participate
- Visit a historic commercial district. See our map of communities that have Main Street designations to know where to start. Submissions are not limited to Main Street communities.
- Take a photo of a vintage, rehabbed, or new sign or find a stunning picture you have in your camera roll from a previous visit to a historic commercial district in Missouri.
- Submit the photo, a short description, reflection on why this sign is meaningful to you or the community, or story behind the sign, and your contact information through our contest form on our website between March 6th and closes on June 15th.
- MMSC will review submissions and notify finalists by June 20th. Finalists will be featured in a gallery during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference where attendees vote for 10 winners to be featured on a Signs of the Times poster.
Round 1 Submission Details
- Each submission should be focused on signage that is vintage, rehabbed, or new including: neon, ghost signs, wayfinding or street signs, murals, or business signs that are unique, or meaningful in a historic commercial district in Missouri. Additionally, each submission should include a short bio statement with mention of your connection to Missouri and a narrative that will serve as the foundation for a caption for the judges to learn more about why this photo was submitted.
- AI Clause: Missouri Main Street Connection seeks submissions that express the memories and emotions that are unique to each person’s human experience, and therefore only original human creative works will be accepted. The use of AI is strictly prohibited. If your submission is found to violate this policy, any submission by the offender will be disqualified and be denied from inclusion in the gallery, poster, and publication. Spellcheck and grammar tools on your finished description is not AI and is allowed.
- Intellectual Property: By submitting to Missouri Main Street Connection’s for the “Signs of the Times” contest, you grant MMSC publishing rights in perpetuity for the materials included in the submission. You will retain the copyright for your contributions.
- Questions: Contact Logan at logan@momainstreet.org
Round 2
MMSC will launch round two of the Signs of the Times photo contest to create a poster featuring vintage, rehabbed, and new signage in Missouri and collect photos and stories for the “Memories on Main Street” anthology in August of 2025. This second round will open on August 9th and closes on November 13th. MMSCs’ staff will select six winners to be featured in the “Signs of the Times” poster for Preservation Month 2026.
How to Participate
- Visit a historic commercial district. See our map of communities that have Main Street designations to know where to start. Submissions are not limited to Main Street communities.
- Take a photo of a vintage, rehabbed, or new sign or find a stunning picture you have in your camera roll from a previous visit to a historic commercial district in Missouri.
- Submit the photo, a short description, reflection on why this door is meaningful to you or the community, or story behind the door, and your contact information through our contest form on our website between August 9th and close on November 13th.
- MMSC will review submissions, select, and notify six winners to be featured on a Signs of the Times poster alongside the winners from round one.
Round 2 Submission Details
- Each submission should be focused on signage that is vintage, rehabbed, or new including: neon, ghost signs, wayfinding or street signs, murals, or business signs that are unique, or meaningful in a historic commercial district in Missouri. Additionally, each submission should include a short bio statement with mention of your connection to Missouri and a narrative that will serve as the foundation for a caption for the judges to learn more about why this photo was submitted.
- AI Clause: Missouri Main Street Connection seeks submissions that express the memories and emotions that are unique to each person’s human experience, and therefore only original human creative works will be accepted. The use of AI is strictly prohibited. If your submission is found to violate this policy, any submission by the offender will be disqualified and be denied from inclusion in the gallery, poster, and publication. Spellcheck and grammar tools on your finished description is not AI and is allowed.
- Intellectual Property: By submitting to Missouri Main Street Connection’s for the “Signs of the Times” contest, you grant MMSC publishing rights in perpetuity for the materials included in the submission. You will retain the copyright for your contributions.
- Questions: Contact Logan at logan@momainstreet.org
