Anne Haaker, recently retired as a deputy state historic preservation officer for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, recently was appointed as historic resources specialist for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership.
According to a new release this week from the partnership:
As deputy deputy state historic preservation officer, Haaker was involved in the preservation of buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites across Illinois. She serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Program. Volunteering her time as historic resources specialist, Haaker’s primary responsibility will be the development, coordination and implementation of the Road Ahead’s review of federal, state and local construction projects that may affect Route 66 historic resources in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
“I am delighted to collaborate with federal and state agencies as well as preservation partners to develop a manageable framework to preserve the historical essence of the Mother Road. Bringing together diverse goals to preserve the Route 66 and its many facets presents a unique challenge that I look forward to,” Haaker said.
In short, Haaker is the preservation specialist for the group.
Established in 2015 with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments Fund, the Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research, education and economic development.
One of the group’s big goals is to have Route 66 named a National Historic Trail. Bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to create the designation await action before the end of the year.
(Image of Anne Haaker via Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership)