The Cincinnati Gardens Museum
“I moved to Cincinnati after high school from a small town in Tennessee. There was nothing to do there, no jobs. My parents were divorced and my father owned a business in Cincinnati, so I moved up here and started working with him. I also looked around for a part-time job for evenings and weekends to fill the time since I didn’t know anybody. At first, I worked at another sports arena in town, and a couple of years later, then I landed at Cincinnati Gardens. I started out vending pop in the stands, but as soon as I was old enough, I started bartending. I went to work in the Ice Bar, which became Dave Greene’s Ice Bar for the next 30 years.
Before I even moved here, me and my brother would visit our dad in the summer, and he would bring us to the Gardens to see Big Time Wrestling. That was the biggest thing I’d done in my life at that point. Instead of paying attention to the wrestling matches, I would look around and think about how long it would take to get to the other side of the building. I was fascinated and mesmerized even then.
This building has hosted everything. We held the crosstown shootout between Xavier and Cincinnati, the 1966 All-Star NBA game. Monty Hall had “Let’s Make a Deal” live here, MTV’s broadcast from here. This was one of the first places in the U.S. the Beatles ever played—there are ticket stubs and other memorabilia in the sale. The second or third event I ever worked was the Muhammad Ali-Larry Holmes fight in 1980. It was broadcast on closed circuit, and we still sold out. In those years we might have three big events in one weekend—a nationally televised basketball game at noon, a hockey game at night and a concert the next day.
I’m a natural collector. I used to see people throwing all this great stuff away at the end of the night—posters, programs, ticket stubs. So I started accumulating, and then ushers and ticket takers and the cleaning crew saw me doing that, and they started bringing stuff to me too. I used to run a weekly ad in the Enquirer looking for stuff. Eventually, I decorated the showcase in the front lobby and filled the Ice Bar with vintage memorabilia. For the Gardens’ 50th anniversary in 1999, the owners built the Legends Museum, basically to hold all the stuff I’d collected." —Dave Greene
![The Cincinnati Gardens Museum](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/16/15/29/51/983/160817_Top_Banner_766X766_beatle2.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=766&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
![1953 Mohawks Governor's Championship Trophy 1953 Mohawks Governor's Championship Trophy](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1953 Mohawks Governor's Championship Trophy
![Vintage Cincinnati Mohawks Game Worn Hockey Jersey Vintage Cincinnati Mohawks Game Worn Hockey Jersey](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Vintage Cincinnati Mohawks Game Worn Hockey Jersey
![University of Cincinnati 2000 Men's Championship Ring University of Cincinnati 2000 Men's Championship Ring](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/17/28/17/896/EAC312-1001.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
University of Cincinnati 2000 Men's Championship Ring
![Rare 1952-53 Mohawks Championship Banner Rare 1952-53 Mohawks Championship Banner](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Rare 1952-53 Mohawks Championship Banner
![Actual 1940s/50s Cincinnati Mohawks Player's Game Used Hockey Jacket Actual 1940s/50s Cincinnati Mohawks Player's Game Used Hockey Jacket](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Actual 1940s/50s Cincinnati Mohawks Player's Game Used Hockey Jacket
![Hockey Scoreboard With Controller Hockey Scoreboard With Controller](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Hockey Scoreboard With Controller
![Unique Cincinnati Mohawks Equipment Ashtray Wood Stand Unique Cincinnati Mohawks Equipment Ashtray Wood Stand](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Unique Cincinnati Mohawks Equipment Ashtray Wood Stand
![Rare 1949/50 Cincinnati Mohawks Autographed Team Hockey Program Rare 1949/50 Cincinnati Mohawks Autographed Team Hockey Program](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/08/10/56/23/165/ENE_3266%25202.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Rare 1949/50 Cincinnati Mohawks Autographed Team Hockey Program
![The Cincinnati Gardens Museum](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/16/15/28/37/594/160817_Middle_Template_1247x585_statium.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=1247&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
![1966-1969 Walt Wesley Worn Cincinnati Royals Basketball Jacket 1966-1969 Walt Wesley Worn Cincinnati Royals Basketball Jacket](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1966-1969 Walt Wesley Worn Cincinnati Royals Basketball Jacket
![Fair-Play Scoreboard From Gardens Fair-Play Scoreboard From Gardens](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Fair-Play Scoreboard From Gardens
![Rare 1966 NBA All Star Game Luncheon Program, Ticket, And More Rare 1966 NBA All Star Game Luncheon Program, Ticket, And More](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/08/16/38/20/820/ENE_3442.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Rare 1966 NBA All Star Game Luncheon Program, Ticket, And More
![Oscar Robertson Royals Basketball Collectibles Oscar Robertson Royals Basketball Collectibles](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Oscar Robertson Royals Basketball Collectibles
![1963 UC Vs. Xavier Basketball Program Cincinnati Gardens 1963 UC Vs. Xavier Basketball Program Cincinnati Gardens](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1963 UC Vs. Xavier Basketball Program Cincinnati Gardens
![1991 Professionally Matted And Framed Xavier Basketball Display 1991 Professionally Matted And Framed Xavier Basketball Display](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/30/31/438/CS1_1009.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
1991 Professionally Matted And Framed Xavier Basketball Display
![Xavier University Game Worn Basketball Jersey Xavier University Game Worn Basketball Jersey](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Xavier University Game Worn Basketball Jersey
![Xavier Studen Game Pass Sign Xavier Studen Game Pass Sign](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Xavier Studen Game Pass Sign
![Professionally Framed Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Hockey Jersey Professionally Framed Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Hockey Jersey](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/12/10/30/24/227/CS1_1711.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Professionally Framed Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Hockey Jersey
![Mighty Ducks Signed Helmet Mighty Ducks Signed Helmet](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/08/10/51/31/176/ENE_2978%25202.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Mighty Ducks Signed Helmet
![Mighty Ducks Shots On Goal Board Mighty Ducks Shots On Goal Board](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Mighty Ducks Shots On Goal Board
![Mighty Ducks Area Rug Mighty Ducks Area Rug](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/10/12/22/50/675/JASON099.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Mighty Ducks Area Rug
![1990s Cincinnati Cyclones Game Worn Hockey Jersey 1990s Cincinnati Cyclones Game Worn Hockey Jersey](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1990s Cincinnati Cyclones Game Worn Hockey Jersey
![Cyclones First Game Ticket Stub with Paperweight Cyclones First Game Ticket Stub with Paperweight](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/08/10/46/17/102/ENE_2753.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Cyclones First Game Ticket Stub with Paperweight
![1994-95 Cincinnati Cyclones Signed Goalie Mask 1994-95 Cincinnati Cyclones Signed Goalie Mask](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1994-95 Cincinnati Cyclones Signed Goalie Mask
![Vintage Cincinnati Cyclones Poster And Signed Pennant Vintage Cincinnati Cyclones Poster And Signed Pennant](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Vintage Cincinnati Cyclones Poster And Signed Pennant
![Wresting Poster Lex Luger/Sting Vs. Ric Flair/Barry Windham Wresting Poster Lex Luger/Sting Vs. Ric Flair/Barry Windham](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/23/28/838/CS1_0613.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Wresting Poster Lex Luger/Sting Vs. Ric Flair/Barry Windham
![Large Wrestling Photo Large Wrestling Photo](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/02/21/46/11/731/CS1_9068.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Large Wrestling Photo
![Leonard vs Duran Broadside Leonard vs Duran Broadside](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/23/46/173/CS1_0629.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Leonard vs Duran Broadside
![1980 Holmes Vs. Ali Closed Circuit TV Boxing Poster 1980 Holmes Vs. Ali Closed Circuit TV Boxing Poster](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/22/19/84/CS1_0551.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
1980 Holmes Vs. Ali Closed Circuit TV Boxing Poster
![Contemporary Large Beatles Display That Hung At The Cincinnati Gardens Contemporary Large Beatles Display That Hung At The Cincinnati Gardens](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/26/31/907/CS1_0782.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Contemporary Large Beatles Display That Hung At The Cincinnati Gardens
![1964 Beatles Concert Ticket Stub 1964 Beatles Concert Ticket Stub](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
1964 Beatles Concert Ticket Stub
![Beatles 1964 Souvenir Concert Program Beatles 1964 Souvenir Concert Program](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Beatles 1964 Souvenir Concert Program
![Beatles Concert Contract and Photos Beatles Concert Contract and Photos](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/04/08/47/00/478/ENE_2521.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Beatles Concert Contract and Photos
![Cincinnati Gardens Metal Street Sign Cincinnati Gardens Metal Street Sign](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/11/09/28/25/19/CS1_0892.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Cincinnati Gardens Metal Street Sign
![Gray Turnstile Gray Turnstile](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Gray Turnstile
![Cincinnati Gardens "Legends Museum" Metal Sign Cincinnati Gardens "Legends Museum" Metal Sign](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Cincinnati Gardens "Legends Museum" Metal Sign
![Original Arena Seat Original Arena Seat](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/10/12/21/55/617/JASON067.jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=400&h=400&fit=crop&crop=&auto=format)
Original Arena Seat
![Cincinnati Gardens Arena Clock Cincinnati Gardens Arena Clock](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Cincinnati Gardens Arena Clock
![Cincinnati Gardens "Cold Beer" Sign Cincinnati Gardens "Cold Beer" Sign](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Cincinnati Gardens "Cold Beer" Sign
![Cincinnati Gardens Presents Sign Cincinnati Gardens Presents Sign](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Cincinnati Gardens Presents Sign
![Gardens Basketball Rim with the Net Gardens Basketball Rim with the Net](https://www.ebth.com/assets/1x1-cf2e067510fe8ccc4ec8913dcaa7b760093070bb0bc83ba07755ba35ef872b71.gif)
Gardens Basketball Rim with the Net
![The Cincinnati Gardens Museum](https://imgix-prod.ebth.com/2016/08/16/14/33/02/945/160817_Bottom_Template_766%20(1).jpg?ixlib=rb-3.1.0&w=759&h=&fit=max&crop=&auto=format)
What have been some of the most memorable events?
This place has been my entire adult life, from age 20 to 56. Everything I’ve done, every person I’ve met is because of this place. One concert that stands out was the B-52s in 1989—every single person there knew all the words to the songs. I thought it was so great how their fans knew everything about the group. And one of the most massive events was a George Bush presidential rally in 2004. The efficiency with which they ran that was incredible. I actually got to sit on the stage for that one.
What was it like to work there?
It was a family-run business, and everybody pitched in. If they needed someone to mop the floors, you mopped. Many years ago they needed somebody to run a spotlight, I think it was a Def Leppard concert. I had no idea what I was doing, but I ended up running the spotlight until they found someone else. When we took down the arena clock—this thing is about six feet tall by four feet wide—it made it seem real, that the Gardens are closing. I’ve been pretty lucky to have been involved all these years.
Where did you find the Mohawks hockey-stick ashtray?
A guy that lived two blocks from the Gardens called me up one day and said he had something I might be interested in. He got it from one of the offices. I’ve only seen a couple of these ashtrays over the years, so I know they’re rare—if they were mass produced, I’d have found more of them.
How about the Governor’s Trophy?
That’s a highlight. The Mohawks were the first team that played in this building, and they were a juggernaut in the hockey world—nobody could beat them. Sometime in the late 60s or early 70s, the son of the Cincinnati Swords’ public address announcer was wandering around the building and found the trophy in a broom closet or something, and he was told he could take it home with him. Fast-forward to the early 80s, and I got a call from him. He was living in Columbus and said the trophy wasn’t for sale, but that he’d let me see it sometime. Six months later, he brought it to my house. It was the greatest thing I’d ever seen! Meanwhile, he’s looking around my house and sees this old Wurlitzer jukebox and has to have it. He asked what I wanted for it, and I said, “You know what—the trophy!””