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
Category: Museums
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
Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Arts Commission this week approved an agreement to install the big Route 66 boot at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The "Kicks 66" art project still requires approval from the city council before it can proceed, reported KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. The original proposed location was on Classen Boulevard, on … Continue reading Commission votes to install Route 66 neon boot at Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City
“Bozo” Cordova, founder of the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, dies
James "Bozo" Cordova, founder of the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and a longtime mechanic in that city, died on Saturday. He was 77. According to his obituary, Cordova, as a youth, began working at various gas stations along Route 66 in Santa Rosa. After graduating from high school, he attended … Continue reading “Bozo” Cordova, founder of the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, dies
County commissioner pledges $250,000 to operations of Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
Bernalillo County Commissioner Frank Baca recently pledged $250,000 from his District Directed Funding account towards operations of the yet-to-open Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque. The county operated the $13 million facility until April 2024, then donated it to the City of Albuquerque. The city formed a Route 66 Visitor Center Commission to determine how … Continue reading County commissioner pledges $250,000 to operations of Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque
New Mexico Route 66 Museum may find new home at vacant retail store in Tucumcari
The now-closed New Mexico Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari is seeking a new home at the long-vacant Alco building on the city's west side. It may be joined by a proposed New Mexico State Police museum and memorial in that space. With luck and funding, the two museums may open in that space by 2027. … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Museum may find new home at vacant retail store in Tucumcari
Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford
A giant fiberglass astronaut was erected on Monday along Route 66 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, as a way to highlight the town's substantial space heritage. Wichita Mountains Life posted this video of the spaceman being assembled: The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce also posted photos of the installation: The big astronaut serves as a salute to … Continue reading Giant spaceman erected along Route 66 in Weatherford
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe begins $75 million expansion
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday broke ground for a $75 million expansion of the facility. KRQE-TV attended the ceremony: The project will double exhibit space and add classrooms, a lecture hall, and conservation labs, while boosting visitor capacity to roughly 215,000 a year. Rooted in Northern New Mexico design, … Continue reading Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe begins $75 million expansion