Filmmaker P.J. Palmer of (twenty)2 films is making a documentary movie about John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" novel after acquiring official rights from the Steinbeck estate, according to a news release. The new documentary "The Grapes of Wrath: We Shall Overcome" began filming in New York City last month interviewing James Franco, who is currently … Continue reading Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Category: History
Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
The Sundowner Motel, a Route 66 lodging establishment in Albuquerque where Bill Gates and Paul Allen lived while starting Microsoft, will reopen to the public Tuesday after a $5.4 million renovation into apartments, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Developer NewLife Homes, which has refurbished other Route 66 motels in Albuquerque into housing, is holding a grand … Continue reading Motel where Microsoft founders lived reopens Tuesday
The darker side of Route 66
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles recently uploaded a few more videos of interviews with longtime residents of Route 66. The museum is preparing for its "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit that starts June 8. But there's nothing particularly romantic about these clips. As a good museum should, these delve into the … Continue reading The darker side of Route 66
Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Amid an announcement this week that the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau and the McLean County Museum of History is joining in a partnership was this little item, courtesy of WJBC radio: The Bureau and Museum are working together on a new Abraham Lincoln and Route 66 Visitors Center. "Cruisin' with Lincoln on Route 66" … Continue reading Bloomington plans a Route 66, Lincoln visitors center
Gallup bucked the system during World War II
The Autry Museum in Los Angeles posted a few videos in recent days for its upcoming "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit. I encourage you to watch this one that features an interview with Hiroshi Miyamura, who says Gallup was the only town in New Mexico to not detain its Japanese-American residents during … Continue reading Gallup bucked the system during World War II
The oddest site on the National Register of Historic Places
Each week, I receive an email from the National Park Service that provides the latest additions to the National Register of Historic Places. A few sites are relevant to Route 66, as you might imagine. On Friday, this item led the listings: ARIZONA, COCONINO COUNTY, 1956 Grand Canyon TWA--United Airlines Aviation Accident Site Address Restricted, … Continue reading The oddest site on the National Register of Historic Places
A sneak peek of the Autry Museum’s Route 66 exhibit
The "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" exhibit at the Autry National Museum in Los Angeles won't open until June 8. However, Maren Dougherty, director of communications at the museum, sent images of some of the photographs, artwork and artifacts that will displayed. So here's a bit of a preview of the exhibit. Arthur Rothstein (1915–1985), Landscape … Continue reading A sneak peek of the Autry Museum’s Route 66 exhibit
The road ahead … and behind
I'm closely following National Geographic writer Andrew Evans' trip on Route 66. If you aren't following his Twitter account and his real-time posts from the Mother Road, you should. By my reckoning, he's fired off more than 200 tweets -- most of them with photographs -- and he hasn't even made to the midpoint of his journey. During … Continue reading The road ahead … and behind
“The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today
John Steinbeck's famous novel about the Great Depression and a family's Moses-like journey on Route 66, "The Grapes of Wrath," was published 75 years ago today. The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., is marking the anniversary all year, and I'll post a review of a new book about the writing of the novel when … Continue reading “The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today
Route 66 added to Oklahoma’s endangered places list
Preservation Oklahoma unveiled its annual Endangered Places in Oklahoma list on Tuesday night, and Route 66 was included among them. David Pettyjohn, executive director for the group, explained why in an Enid News and Eagle report: “When we look at Route 66, it’s not just the road. It’s the structures along the road. It’s the … Continue reading Route 66 added to Oklahoma’s endangered places list