As part of our ongoing effort to preserve Springfield's rich history, we are proud to have the original sign from Henry Nelch & Son in our museum collection. This sign was created by Joe Bringuet in the 1950s and came back to us in 2016 where it was restored and installed in the Sign Museum.

For nearly 120 years, Henry Nelch & Son was a key player in the city's construction and masonry industry, contributing to many of Springfield's landmark buildings, including the Illinois Executive Mansion, St. John's Hospital, the Franklin Life building (now the Illinois State Police headquarters), the Sangamon County Complex, the Illinois Bell building (now AT&T), and the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park. Founded in 1896 by Henry Nelch and his son, Benjamin Franklin Nelch, the company was a fixture in the community for generations. However, by 2015, rising costs and the slow recovery of the building materials industry led to the difficult decision to close its doors. Henry Nelch & Son was acquired by Chicago-based Illinois Brick Co and operates today as Brickworks Supply Center.

Despite the closure, the legacy of Henry Nelch & Son lives on, with the company's impact still visible in Springfield's skyline today. The sign we have on display is a lasting reminder of this influential business and its deep connection to Springfield's history.