Roanoke Historical Society Launches H&C Coffee Sign Appeal
A new fundraising campaign seeks to restore and relight the iconic downtown coffee urn sign by 2027.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Historical Society of Western Virginia has launched the Light the Skyline campaign to restore the historic H&C Coffee sign in downtown Roanoke. The project aims to preserve the landmark in time for the company's 100th anniversary.
Why it matters
The campaign serves to protect a key piece of local heritage that has faced significant deterioration over the years. By securing funds, the organization intends to ensure the sign remains a visible fixture of the city skyline for future generations.
The Light the Skyline initiative has secured $129,113 toward its $430,000 goal. These funds are designated for both the physical restoration of the coffee urn sign and the creation of a long-term maintenance endowment.
The players
Historical Society of Western Virginia
This organization is responsible for the preservation and historical advocacy of local landmarks and cultural artifacts in the region.
The details
The restoration project involves relighting the long-standing sign, which has been a staple of the downtown skyline for decades. Organizers are prioritizing the work to coincide with the milestone 100th anniversary of the H&C Coffee brand.
Timeline
Restoration work on the sign is scheduled to begin in 2026.
The official relighting is planned for 2027, the brand's 100th anniversary.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows a pattern set by the preservation of the 1920s neon signs in the Las Vegas Neon Museum, where commercial heritage is restored as community art. Restoring the sign positions the Historical Society of Western Virginia as a leader in downtown architectural conservation.
Residents and business owners can contribute directly to the visual improvement of the downtown district through the campaign portal. These donations ensure the sign remains a functioning part of the Roanoke skyline rather than falling into permanent disrepair.
The takeaway
Preserving historic signage maintains the visual identity of a city and strengthens community ties to its commercial past. Residents interested in civic preservation can monitor the campaign to see how local contributions impact urban development timelines.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support community heritage in the Philanthropy section.
More information
To contribute to the restoration project, visit the Light the Skyline campaign donation portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wdbj7.
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