The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Ill., reports a 50 percent rise in visitors since the 2008-2009 fiscal year, according to the Chicago Tribune. Guess what gets a good portion of the credit for the increase: About 16,000 people visited the museum, located at 204 N. Ottawa St. in downtown Joliet, in 2008-09, compared … Continue reading Joliet museum sees 50% jump in tourism
Category: Museums
Williams may get a railroad museum next year
Tucked into this Arizona Republic story about a railroad buff is this intriguing excerpt: For years, Al Richmond has been collecting - schedules, pamphlets, photos, even locomotives - things that would tell railroad's story as it unfolded in Arizona. [...] To appreciate what happened as the rails made their way across Arizona in the late … Continue reading Williams may get a railroad museum next year
Pontiac museum gets about 100 petroliana artifacts
The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Ill., received a donation of petroleum memorabilia worth $10,000, according to a news release Tuesday from Pontiac Tourism. According to the release: The generous gift was made in memory of Robert Wainwright, a former field representative for ComEd in the Pontiac area. The donation … Continue reading Pontiac museum gets about 100 petroliana artifacts
Pontiac automotive museum provides a sneak peek
The new Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center in Pontiac, Ill., opened for a sneak preview Friday, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. And it sounds like those who were there were wowed: Making it truly unique was that it was not simply row upon row of cars, but rather arranged with great thought with several pieces getting … Continue reading Pontiac automotive museum provides a sneak peek
Springfield takes closer look at motel as museum
The city of Springfield, Ill., again is thinking about converting the ramshackle Bel-Aire Motel into a Route 66-themed visitors center and museum, reported the State Journal-Register today. Springfield is considering other options for the Sixth Street motel after a recent inspection uncovered fire, electrical, and structural code violations. Mayor Tim Davlin first proposed the idea of … Continue reading Springfield takes closer look at motel as museum
A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market
For an all-too-brief period, Terry Wrinkle resurrected Wrink's Market, the longtime Route 66 business in Lebanon, Mo., owned and operated by his late father Glenn Wrinkle. When Terry shut down the business in 2009, the future of the building looked cloudy. However, in recent weeks, the old Wrink's Market has found new life with D.C. … Continue reading A new wrinkle on Wrink’s Market
Pontiac tourism up 30% this year
Businesses and chambers of commerce along Route 66, take note -- data collected at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Ill., indicate that tourism there has risen nearly 30 percent in 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. According to a news release today from Ellie Alexander, director … Continue reading Pontiac tourism up 30% this year
State funding cuts to Claremore museums prove minor
Funding cuts to two prominent museums in Claremore, Okla., were much less than originally anticipated, reported the Claremore Daily Progress. Oklahoma lawmakers reached a budget agreement this week that included a 7 percent reduction in funding to the state tourism office. But the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and the J.M. Davis Arms Museum in Claremore each … Continue reading State funding cuts to Claremore museums prove minor
Hot wheels
Here's a good video shot from the inside of the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa, N.M. https://youtu.be/XgRpp_WMh3A The museum's truly terrific car collection is well worth your time. It's also well-stocked with Route 66 souvenirs.
Report from the Waldmire Weekend
These photos from the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival in Pontiac, Ill., were shot by Cathie Stevanovich, president of the Illinois Route 66 Association. For all practical purposes, the weekend served as a tribute to Route 66 hippie, artist and Illinois native Bob Waldmire, who died of cancer in December 2009. Festival-goers, including Stevanovich … Continue reading Report from the Waldmire Weekend