The restoration of the historic Vic Suhling / Gas For Less neon sign was unveiled Saturday evening next to the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill. According to a news release, up to 200 people attended the event, including two of Suhling's daughters Bonnie and Bernice, one who traveled from Portland, … Continue reading Vic Suhling / Gas For Less sign glows again after 40-plus years
Category: Museums
Tulsa announces plans to build Route 66 museum
The City of Tulsa is requesting proposals from developers to build a long-awaited Route 66 museum and visitors center on the banks of the Arkansas River, reported the Tulsa World today. The interpretive center and entertainment complex is to be built on city land across the street from the East Meets West bronze sculpture at … Continue reading Tulsa announces plans to build Route 66 museum
Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. As a result, parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and services along Route 66 that are maintained by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service reopened Thursday morning. The Grand … Continue reading Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen
“Cultural Crossroads” in Tulsa will be dedicated Oct. 24
The City of Tulsa will dedicate the "Cultural Crossroads" of 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Yale Avenue at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. The project is part of the ongoing Vision 2025 sale-tax project of improvements on Route 66 in Tulsa County. The ceremony will be at the northwest part of the intersection, with … Continue reading “Cultural Crossroads” in Tulsa will be dedicated Oct. 24
Video from the start of the “Grapes of Wrath” tour
As we've reported, the National Steinbeck Center is marking the upcoming 75th anniversary of the publication of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." The trio who are traversing Route 66 for the center posted a film today about the first three days of their journey. You'll see a familiar face -- "Route 66: The Mother … Continue reading Video from the start of the “Grapes of Wrath” tour
Route 66 quilts featured at Powers Museum
A plethora of quilts featuring Route 66 will be displayed at the Powers Museum in Carthage, Mo., from today through Oct. 20. The exhibit not only includes the traveling Route 66 quilt show, based in Colorado, that was at the International Route 66 Festival in Joplin in August, but locally made quilts as well, said … Continue reading Route 66 quilts featured at Powers Museum
Vic Suhling sign will be relighted Oct. 26
The relighting of the soon-to-be-restored Vic Suhling / Gas for Less neon sign in Litchfield, Ill., will occur at dusk Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, according to a release this week from the Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. The new museum, at 334 … Continue reading Vic Suhling sign will be relighted Oct. 26
“Twentysix Gasoline Stations” art book marks 50th anniversary
Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha self-published his art photography book, "Twentysix Gasoline Stations," 50 years ago this year. Few would have predicted the book, which portrays 26 gas stations on Route 66 from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City, would have proved so influential to other artists. NPR posted this report on the book: Exceprts from … Continue reading “Twentysix Gasoline Stations” art book marks 50th anniversary
“The American Dream and the American Drive”
Longtime roadie Kathy Anderson produced this film for the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, Okla. Using Route 66 as a springboard, it shows how highways evolved in the United States. You'll probably see a few familiar faces: The American Dream, The American Drive from Kathy Anderson on Vimeo. Anderson explained more of the … Continue reading “The American Dream and the American Drive”
Will Rogers Memorial Museum marks 75th anniversary
The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Okla., is marking its 75th year this week. Rogers remains probably the most famous Oklahoman, despite nearly eight decades passing after his death in an Alaska plane crash. The "Diamond Jubilee" event is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the museum with performances by the Tulsa … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum marks 75th anniversary