The National Trust for Historic Preservation has added the century-old Southwest Museum of the American Indian as a "national treasure" and is devising a plan for its future, according to the Los Angeles Times. Here's what the newspaper found out: Over the next 18 months, the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust will gather ideas and build … Continue reading National Trust shepherds preservation plan for Southwest Museum
Category: Museums
Bob Waldmire exhibit planned in Walldog museum
An exhibit of the artwork and artifacts of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire will be in the Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, by May, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. The show, named the Bob Waldmire Experience, will be made in cooperation with his brother, Buz Waldmire, who has been a … Continue reading Bob Waldmire exhibit planned in Walldog museum
Teardown schedule for Bel-Aire Motel solidifies
The historic but long-troubled Bel-Aire Motel in Springfield, Illinois, will be demolished by late summer or early fall, according to Tim Landis in his State Journal-Register business column. It earlier was reported the motel on South Sixth Street (aka Route 66) would be torn down by summer. However, demolition permits haven't yet been filed. Current … Continue reading Teardown schedule for Bel-Aire Motel solidifies
Route 66 exhibit was ‘most popular’ in Autry history
The just-completed "Route 66: The Road and the Romance" at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles was declared "the most popular show in the history of the museum" by its president. That pronouncement was made by museum president Richard West, according to Jim Farber in an email Thursday. Farber shepherded the creation of the … Continue reading Route 66 exhibit was ‘most popular’ in Autry history
County clears plan for amusement park in Williams
Coconino County approved the creation of a theme park district that could lead to a half-billion-dollar amusement park on the north side of Williams, Arizona, according to the Arizona Daily Sun. The amusement park would be on 475 acres on the city's north side, plus 21 acres in downtown for a long-proposed, $20 million Arizona … Continue reading County clears plan for amusement park in Williams
Widow of Bill Shea dies
Helen Shea, the widow of Shea's Route 66 Museum owner Bill Shea Sr., died Monday at a hospice in Springfield, Illinois, according to an obituary from Butler Funeral Homes. She was 96. A Springfield native, she worked at Sangamo Electric and helped run Shea's gas-station museum in Springfield. Bill Shea converted a Marathon station on Route 66 into a museum … Continue reading Widow of Bill Shea dies
Will Rogers Museum will promote Route 66 in 2015
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will include the promotion of Route 66, aka the Will Rogers Memorial Highway, during a series of changes for the upcoming year, according to a news release published in the Tulsa World. The museums, which also includes the Rogers' Birthplace Ranch in Oologah, Oklahoma, also are planning: … Continue reading Will Rogers Museum will promote Route 66 in 2015
Soul food restaurant opens across from Victorville museum
If you've visited the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville and are feeling hungry, you don't need to go far for a meal. Renee Allen's Mac & Cheese and More opened last month at 16838 D Street, across the street from the museum. The restaurant also has a location in nearby Apple Valley, California. According to … Continue reading Soul food restaurant opens across from Victorville museum
Kingman festival boosts local economy
The town of Kingman, Arizona, saw a sizable increase in revenue because of the International Route 66 Festival in August, according to an article in the Kingman Daily Miner. Here's the breakdown from the July-to-September period: • Nearly 39,000 travelers visited the Powerhouse Visitor Center, a 20 percent increase over the same period in 2013 … Continue reading Kingman festival boosts local economy
Reminder: Icons poll open for 2 more weeks
Although a great many of you have long since voted, the poll begun in early December about the top 10 icons of Route 66 remains open through Dec. 31. More than 18,000 votes have been collected so far. On midnight Dec. 31, the poll will close, we'll tally the results, and post a story about the … Continue reading Reminder: Icons poll open for 2 more weeks