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
Category: Museums
Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future
Shea's Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, faces a cloudy future since its longtime patriarch, Bill Shea, died in 2012 at age 91, according to a story in the Springfield State Journal-Register. Another Route 66 landmark in Springfield, Joe Rogers' The Chili Den Parlor, also faces an uncertain future since a "closed for repairs" sign was posted … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum faces uncertain future
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
Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
The city of Springfield, Illinois, reported more than 700 building-code violations for the troubled Bel-Aire Motel along Route 66, reported the State Journal-Register. That's on top of the $114,000 in fines levied last year against the Florida-based landlord for nearly 400 code violations. Owner Gopal Motwani is challenging those fines in court. The violations range … Continue reading Bel-Aire Motel slapped with more code violations
Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
The City of Joliet, Illinois, hopes to strike an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections so the long-closed Joliet Prison can be reopened for tours, reported the Northwest Herald. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is clamoring for access of the old prison because tourists -- many of them traveling on Route 66 -- want to … Continue reading Museum wants to organize tours of Joliet Prison
Route 66 Arcade Museum opens Thursday
If you're old enough to remember pinball machines, coin-operated video games and brightly colored and noisy arcades, downtown Atlanta, Ill., has just the place for you. The Route 66 Arcade Museum in Atlanta, Ill., is slated to open Thursday, according to a news release from Bill Thomas, the chief mover-and-shaker of the revitalization of Atlanta's … Continue reading Route 66 Arcade Museum opens Thursday
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
Autry museum launches fundraiser for Route 66 exhibit
The Autry National Center of the American West in Los Angeles has launched an online fundraising campaign to help pay for its upcoming and long-awaited “Route 66: The Road and the Romance," according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. The Autry wants to raise $66,000 within 30 days through IndieGoGo. The campaign launched Tuesday; through … Continue reading Autry museum launches fundraiser for Route 66 exhibit
Fundraising launched for Route 66 billboard museum
A fundraising campaign has been launched for a planned Route 66 billboard museum west of Oklahoma City, according to an Associated Press report. AP reporter Kristi Eaton, who's posted other stories about Route 66 in Oklahoma, wrote: Kathy Anderson, president of the nonprofit Billboard Museum Association Inc., and others envision the Billboard Museum as an … Continue reading Fundraising launched for Route 66 billboard museum
St. Clair museum will get new digs on Route 66
The St. Clair Historical Museum, destroyed by fire last week, will receive a new home for at least six months along Route 66 in St. Clair, Mo., reported the Washington Missourian. The Lindemanns, who own the St. Clair Health Mart Pharmacy, 855 N. Commercial Ave., have agreed to donate office space next door to their … Continue reading St. Clair museum will get new digs on Route 66