The group that's seeking to build a Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center in Litchfield, Ill., seems to be fairly well-organized. According to a report in The Journal-News, based in nearby Hillsboro, the group has: Landed a general contractor, who pledges to use subcontractors and supplies entirely from Litchfield, except for the neon lighting. … Continue reading Litchfield getting organized for its Route 66 museum
Category: Museums
New history museum in Springfield, Mo., may open by 2013
The History Museum of Springfield-Greene County in Springfield, Mo., is running out of room, and it hopes to reopen in a former downtown department store sometime in 2013, reported KY3-TV in Springfield. The station said: Three years ago the museum bought the old Barth’s department store building on the northeast quadrant of Park Central Square. Construction … Continue reading New history museum in Springfield, Mo., may open by 2013
Pontiac may land another museum
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., may acquire yet another museum -- one dedicated to the art of gilding, or placing a thin coat of gold on objects, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The nonprofit Society of Gilders is considering establishing the museum. Urban J. Billmeier was one of the gilders who gave a pitch to … Continue reading Pontiac may land another museum
Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Every two years, one living and one deceased person are chosen for the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. It is that time again. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is seeking nominations for 2012. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be May 26 at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton. Here's what's need … Continue reading Nominations sought for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
A good example to those along the Mother Road
Paul Chassey, a volunteer for the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, Calif., wrote an interesting piece in the Victorville Daily Press about a fellow volunteer's experience with a Chinese couple. Go here to read it first. Read it? If so, here are my observations about the article: Although the volunteer's behavior was exemplary, such … Continue reading A good example to those along the Mother Road
Another town sees surge of Route 66 tourism
It isn't just Pontiac, Ill., seeing a big increase in Route 66 tourism in recent years. According to an article today in the Springfield State Journal-Register, the small town of Atlanta, Ill., is experiencing a surge, too. From the newspaper: In Atlanta, sales tax revenue jumped 43 percent last year during the peak tourism season … Continue reading Another town sees surge of Route 66 tourism
Pontiac tourism rises 40 percent in 2011
A few months ago, Pontiac Tourism director Ellie Alexander reported that tourism in Pontiac, Ill., was trending at a 30 percent higher level than in 2010. Note I said "trending." I was skeptical the numbers would remain at that lofty level, especially when the off-season was looming. It turns out Alexander was either being modest … Continue reading Pontiac tourism rises 40 percent in 2011
Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa
The Woody Guthrie Archives, based in New York, will move to his home state of Oklahoma and the Route 66 city of Tulsa by 2013, according a story late Tuesday by the New York Times. The Tulsa-based George Kaiser Family Foundation bought the musician's archives from the Guthrie family for about $3 million and will … Continue reading Woody Guthrie Archives will move to Tulsa
Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is set to close from January to at least mid-April for renovations, according to the museum's website. Pat Smith, the museum's director, said in a message on the website's home page that the museum will close its exhibits for renovations beginning Jan. 1, with the hope to reopen … Continue reading Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations
Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield
Bill Shea, longtime proprietor of a gas station museum along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill., turns 90 years old on Dec. 30, and is also marking his 66th year as a business owner on the Mother Road. To mark the occasion, the City of Springfield is declaring Dec. 30 as Bill Shea Day, according to … Continue reading Dec. 30 will be declared Bill Shea Day in Springfield