Coinciding with Route 66's centennial, the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis will open a special Route 66-themed exhibit, “Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels,” on March 14. The exhibit will "explore the stories, memories, and modes of travel that shaped America’s most iconic highway and the communities connected to it." The museum is open … Continue reading National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis opens Route 66 exhibit in mid-March
Category: History
Fire heavily damages historic Curve Inn tavern in Springfield
A fire broke out Friday morning at The Curve Inn, heavily damaging the 90-year-old tavern just off Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield State-Journal Register, speaking with Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk, reported that crews "encountered heavy fire and smoke in the bar and restaurant beer garden, along with a partial roof collapse." A … Continue reading Fire heavily damages historic Curve Inn tavern in Springfield
“Will Rogers Highway: Route 66” exhibit opens on Feb. 27 in Claremore
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will open its "Will Rogers Highway: Route 66" exhibit on Feb. 27. The exhibit opens at 5 p.m. Admission will be free. The Cherokee Phoenix reported: The exhibit launches with the 1880s, illustrating America’s push for better roads beyond rough wagon trails, which spurred the rapid Good … Continue reading “Will Rogers Highway: Route 66” exhibit opens on Feb. 27 in Claremore
Visitor center at Blue Whale takes shape; site on track for mid-April reopening
The new visitor center at the landmark Blue Whale site in Catoosa, Oklahoma, is quickly taking shape, and construction there is expected to be finished by April 15. News on 6 in Tulsa reported that the final piece of steel for the revamped visitor center building was raised into place last week. The so-called topping … Continue reading Visitor center at Blue Whale takes shape; site on track for mid-April reopening
Opening of interpretive center at Threatt Filling Station planned in May
The owners of the Threatt Filling Station near Luther, Oklahoma, told a local television station they plan to open an interpretive center in May at the Route 66 property. A reporter from News on 66 interviewed Edward Threatt, a descendant of the station's original owner, Allen Threatt, who founded the station more than a century … Continue reading Opening of interpretive center at Threatt Filling Station planned in May
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City opens new Route 66 exhibit
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City recently opened a new exhibit that focuses on Route 66 during its centennial year. "Route 66: From Trails to Truck Stops" runs through May 3. Tickets are available here. Here's what the museum says about the exhibit: From horses and covered wagons to riverboats, steam … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City opens new Route 66 exhibit
Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
The Joplin History & Mineral Museum in Joplin, Missouri, reopened last week with a new Route 66 exhibit after a month-long renovation. Here are images from Joplin's tourism bureau of the refreshed museum: Curator Chris Wiseman told the Joplin Globe that the face-lift comes during the centennial of Route 66, the 250th year of the United … Continue reading Renovated Joplin History & Mineral Museum reopens with Route 66 exhibit
New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area
A new Route 66-themed sculpture was installed recently along the historic highway in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, one of more than a dozen along the city's Mother Road. KOB-TV of Albuquerque reported that the "Route 66 Throne" artwork features a colorful Route 66 shield with gas pumps surrounding it, along with a cut-out … Continue reading New, Route 66-themed sculpture unveiled in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill area
“Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
A new exhibit, titled “Through The Windshield, Missouri’s Route 66.” recently opened in Columbia, Missouri, with more locations along Route 66 set for later this year. The exhibit covers Route 66's entirety in Missouri, from St. Louis County to Jasper County. It will feature rarely seen images, advertisements, postcards and other historical documents. Visitors will also … Continue reading “Through the Windshield: Missouri’s Route 66” exhibit will be displayed in several areas of state
Kirkwood Performing Arts Center screening a director’s cut of “Show Me 66” documentary
The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center will host a free public screening of the director's cut of the award-winning "Show Me 66: Main Street Through St. Louis" documentary on Sunday. The event will include storytelling and live music starting at 2 p.m. at the center at 210 E. Monroe Ave. in Kirkwood, Missouri. The Webster-Kirkwood Times … Continue reading Kirkwood Performing Arts Center screening a director’s cut of “Show Me 66” documentary