Introducing you to Scott Rosenzweig, The Neon Museum member for today’s #WhyIGiveTNMLV.
Q & A with Scott Rosenzweig, The Neon Museum Member
Q: When/how did you get involved with The Neon Museum?
A: From the time my husband and I moved here in 1999, we were enamored with The Neon Museum. Having lived on the east coast and loving old architecture in places like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we were surprised to find everything in Vegas gets imploded and reimagined. We were so grateful to see the history of neon being preserved. We've been so impressed by the work being done by the team at the museum, we've become members and even purchased a paver. That's how much we believe in The Neon Museum, its current leadership, and the ability to save Vegas history in one location.
Q: What attracted you to the museum?
A: Aside from supporting preservation efforts, we're also loving the addition of Brilliant! and special exhibits like the Tim Burton show (2019/2020).
Q: Why do you give to The Neon Museum? What motivates you to stay involved?
A: It has a great deal to do with wanting to ensure these artistic masterpieces are not only preserved, but to see some of them light again is truly remarkable.
Q: Do you have an anecdote about the museum you would like to share?
A: One of the best experiences we had was during COVID when The Neon Museum announced previews of the Moulin Rouge sign for members. We reserved our "date" and time to go, but when we arrived there was only one other woman there. She said she couldn't convince her husband to come. We took photos for one another, and it was truly magical to not only see the iconic sign relit but basically, to be the only three people there!
Q: In your opinion, what is the most important work that The Neon Museum does?
A: Education in an entertaining way. Too often museums don't feel interactive or you don't come away feeling as though you've learned much. We learn something every time we come to the museum and enjoy the different personalities and tidbits from each tour guide.
Q: What do you hope the organization will achieve over the next ten years?
A: I love the vision Executive Director Aaron Berger has for the museum. Potentially he would like visitors to be able to make their own neon. This art form is so quintessentially Las Vegas, why wouldn't we want to have the ultimate neon experience here?
Q: Who do you think would enjoy a visit to The Neon Museum?
A: Everyone. We recommend it to everyone who visits!
Q: What’s your favorite sign and why?
A: It's definitely Moulin Rouge. This casino and now its remaining sign, are great reminders here about the segregation that people of color experienced. If we don’t think deeply to understand our history, we're doomed to repeat it. The Moulin Rouge sign is a symbol of both struggle and progress. That story needs preservation beyond its neon sign.
You can still see four signs from the Tim Burton exhibit in the main collection, including the Betelgeuse sign, Guns ‘N’ Booze sign, Lost Vegas Sign Tower and Neon Grid Wall. Arrange your visit today.
