It's official -- the Big Boot sculpture will be placed at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. KWTV reported that the City Council last week approved the plan to install the 35-foot-tall art installation east of the famed museum just off an alignment of Route 66. Originally planned for a location … Continue reading OKC Council approves placement of Big Boot sculpture near Cowboy Museum
Category: Museums
OKPOP museum in Tulsa hits fundraising goal, gets state matching funds to finish project
The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, aka OKPOP, attained its $18 million fundraising goal a few days ago, activating $18 million in matching funds from the state government so the Tulsa facility can finish interior exhibits and construction. The museum has now set a goal for a grand opening celebration for the spring of 2028. … Continue reading OKPOP museum in Tulsa hits fundraising goal, gets state matching funds to finish project
Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield announced the launch of the online Route 66 Oral History Project, which gathered 100 stories about the history of the Mother Road before its centennial in 2026. The database includes video-recorded interviews, as well as world-searchable written transcriptions. Contributors include people who lived, worked and traveled along Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois State Museum unveils 100 oral histories about Route 66
Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff will open a Route 66 exhibit that runs from Nov. 16 to Oct. 26, 2026. The Arizona Daily Sun reported: Called “Wagon Road to Mother Road,” the exhibit looks at the way travel has affected landscapes and communities in northern Arizona, from the Beale Wagon Road to Route … Continue reading Museum of Northern Arizona soon will open an exhibit on the history of Route 66 in state
Norman Rockwell exhibit debuts today at the J.M. Davis Museum in Claremore
The J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum along Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, today is opening its newest exhibit, "Norman Rockwell: In Search of America." Rockwell, a painter and illustrator for about 60 years, was beloved during his lifetime for his sometimes whimsical, sometimes serious look at American life. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 … Continue reading Norman Rockwell exhibit debuts today at the J.M. Davis Museum in Claremore
National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will open the "Route 66: From Trails to Truck Stops" exhibition starting in early February. The exhibition will run from Feb. 6 to May 4, during Route 66's centennial year. Cowgirl Magazine had more details: Visitors will see artifacts, maps, photographs and multimedia displays tracing … Continue reading National Cowboy Museum to open Route 66 exhibition in February
Director of Oklahoma Route Museum retiring after 30 years
Pat Smith, the director of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, is retiring later this month after 30 years at the facility. A going-away party will be hosted at the museum at 2229 W. Gary Blvd. (Route 66) at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, announced Jim Ross, a longtime Route 66 historian. The museum … Continue reading Director of Oklahoma Route Museum retiring after 30 years
Lawsuit filed against four New Mexico Route 66 Museum board members
The future of the closed New Mexico Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari has become more uncertain in recent weeks. A local lawyer representing the museum recently filed an amended lawsuit against four members of its board of directors, alleging "willful misconduct, recklessness and fraud." The suit requests actual and punitive damages. In August, Warren Frost, … Continue reading Lawsuit filed against four New Mexico Route 66 Museum board members
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, located in Clinton, marked its 30th anniversary last Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also leads the state's tourism department, paid tribute to the museum: The museum opened on Sept. 23, 1995, and is the oldest dedicated to the Mother Road. It draws 35,000 visitors annually, according to Oklahoma Tourism. … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton marks its 30th anniversary
The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference
Heritage Corridor Destinations announced earlier this month that it was honored with the Bureau Innovation Award from the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau for The Landing Pad, just a few steps from the iconic Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois. The honor was given earlier this month at the Upper Midwest Conference and Visitors Bureau Fall Conference in … Continue reading The Landing Pad in Wilmington earns Bureau Innovation Award at regional conference