History Museum to relight historic sign

The History Museum on the Square has scheduled a ceremony to relight the historic Barth’s department store sign at 9 p.m. Aug. 15. 

The sign was first erected in 1914 on the building that serves as the new home to the History Museum at the northeast corner of Park Central Square, but hasn't worked in several years, according to a news release. One guest at an invitation-only reception before the main event will be selected to flip the switch with Mayor Bob Stephens.

“We hope that many people will come to the square for this great event on Thursday,” Museum Board President May McQueary said in the release. 

Dubbed Moon Over the Mother Road, a private party begins at 6 p.m. with tours of the Woodruff's Dream exhibit and period music by Gary Ellison in the historic Fox Theatre. 

The ceremony comes less than two months after History Museum officials announced Washington, D.C.-based exhibit consultants Gallagher & Associates have been brought on to aid the $20 million long-term renovation project.