The Chelsea (Oklahoma) Area Historical Society recently announced it would hold a ribbon-cutting for its Chelsea Area Historical Museum in a century-old corner building on July 31. The ribbon cutting will be at 10:30 a.m. that day, with a short program afterward. Cake and drinks will be offered. The museum is at 200 W. Sixth … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting for Chelsea Area Historical Museum set for July 31
Category: Museums
Neon sign for defunct Hi-Line Motel in Ash Fork is undergoing restoration
Earlier this month, the neon sign for the defunct Hi-Line Motel in Ash Fork, Arizona, was taken down so it can be restored and reinstalled. The Ash Fork Route 66 Historical Museum posted photos and video on Facebook of the sign being taken down by the restoration team. No timeline was given for the sign … Continue reading Neon sign for defunct Hi-Line Motel in Ash Fork is undergoing restoration
“Kicks 66” sculpture dedicated near National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
The 35-foot-tall "Kicks 66" illuminated sculpture near the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City was dedicated on Thursday. The artwork, designed by Cameron Eagle, pays tribute to Bobby Troup's iconic song “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and Route 66's centennial this year. Eagle also designed the “Welcome to Luther” neon sign along Route … Continue reading “Kicks 66” sculpture dedicated near National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
The very first Dairy Queen restaurant, located in Joliet, Illinois, is being resurrected as a Route 66 landmark. According to WGN-TV, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, which acquired the building in 2023, is leading the project along with the city. Dairy Queen is providing historical and archival documents for the project. J.C. McCullough and Sherb … Continue reading World’s first Dairy Queen in Joliet to be resurrected as a Route 66 landmark
Texas Old Route 66 Association announces first batch of small business outdoor beautification matching grants
The Texas Old Route 66 Association recently announced its inaugural group of recipients of its Small Business Outdoor Beautification Matching Micro-Grant Program. Five businesses along Texas Route 66 were given $500 gatching grants for exterior improvements, beautification projects, signage, restoration efforts and visitor experience enhancements. The awardees were: Cactus Inn Motel, McLean, for an outdoor … Continue reading Texas Old Route 66 Association announces first batch of small business outdoor beautification matching grants
History Museum on the Square opens “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial” exhibit
The History Museum on the Square in downtown Springfield, Missouri, recently opened the “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66's Centennial” exhibit. The exhibit will remain up until Sept. 20. The Springfield News-Leader reported: The exhibit is a retrospective, combining highlights from the museum's five-year Route 66 series, which began in 2022. [...] The new exhibit … Continue reading History Museum on the Square opens “Miles of Memories: Celebrating Route 66’s Centennial” exhibit
Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
The mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, reported a few days ago that construction of the Route 66-themed Centennial Plaza near the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum is moving into a more rapid stage. Mayor Kelly Eckhoff in a Facebook post stated: The end of the eight week curing time for the steel structure … Continue reading Construction of Centennial Plaza in Pontiac moves into a swifter phase
Oklahoma History Center opening its Route 66 exhibit on Saturday
The Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City is opening its "The Longest Stretch: Route 66 in Oklahoma" exhibit on Saturday. Here's what the Oklahoma Historical Society, which runs the center, stated about the exhibit: Oklahoma proudly claims the longest drivable stretch of Route 66 in the nation, spanning more than 400 miles. This legendary highway … Continue reading Oklahoma History Center opening its Route 66 exhibit on Saturday
Route 66 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield
The “Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66” exhibit at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is scheduled to open to the public on May 23. According to the Springfield State Journal-Register, it will show "what it was like to live, work and travel along U.S. Route 66 during its peak years, drawing on personal … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit opening on May 23 at Illinois State Museum in Springfield
“The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66” to open next month
Missouri State University's new exhibit, titled "The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66," will open June 3 at the Benton Avenue AME Church in Springfield, Missouri. The exhibit will be up through Aug. 29. The renovated church, located on the Drury University campus, is at 830 N. Benton Ave. (Google Maps … Continue reading “The mOTHER Road: Stories of the African American Experience on Route 66” to open next month