Bill would cut funding to Claremore museums

A bill working its way through the Oklahoma Legislature would cut funding to the Will Rogers Memorial Museums and the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum along Route 66 in Claremore, Okla., reported the Claremore Daily Progress. State Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Tuttle) proposes phasing out funding to those museums so money can be devoted to … Continue reading Bill would cut funding to Claremore museums

Exploring the Inland Empire’s Route 66

Here's a good video about The Magic Lamp Inn restaurant, which has graced Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., since 1955. This is part of the ongoing Inland Empire Explorer series. Here are more Route 66-related videos about Sierra Bakery and Wigwam Motel in Rialto, and the McDonald's Museum in San Bernardino (owned by Juan … Continue reading Exploring the Inland Empire’s Route 66

Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years

The landmark Harvey House in Barstow, Calif., is marking its centennial, and a  celebration is planned in the coming weeks, according to the Desert Dispatch newspaper. [T]he Chamber is planning a community-wide carnival style celebration of the Harvey House’s 100th anniversary in the spring, although details have yet to be worked out. The current Harvey … Continue reading Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years

Joliet museum receives $25,000 grant

The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Ill., received a $25,000 grant for audio-visual projects, according to the Joliet Herald-News. The museum’s audio-visual improvement project includes the installation of state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment in the auditorium and in the Route 66 Visitors Center. [...] In 2010, the museum and visitors center welcomed nearly 24,000 visitors from 37 … Continue reading Joliet museum receives $25,000 grant

Exotic World is subject of a documentary

Exotic World, the burlesque museum once located off Route 66 in Helendale, Calif., and run by the irrepressible Dixie Evans, now is the subject of an upcoming documentary. "Exotic World and the Burlesque Revival" is being produced by Red Tremmel, a professor at Tulane University and a longtime scholar about gender and women's issues. Here's … Continue reading Exotic World is subject of a documentary

Electric art

Here's a good video from Southern California Public Radio about the "On Route 66, Lights" exhibit along the street and median in West Hollywood, Calif., that includes four neon signs from the The Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. https://vimeo.com/19051108 More about the public art display can be found here.

‘Legitimate’ Route 66 museum may open in Berwyn

Jon Fey of Downers Grove, Ill., is looking to open a legitimate Route 66 museum in the Mother Road city of Berwyn, Ill., instead of a small-time one, according to Suburban Life Publications. Fey rearranged his SWF Products storefront at 7003 Ogden Ave. (Route 66) so that it may be a permanent location for the museum. … Continue reading ‘Legitimate’ Route 66 museum may open in Berwyn

Renovated Kingman depot set to open in spring

The historic Kingman Train Depot in Kingman, Ariz., has been renovated and is set to reopen after Amtrak moves in during March or April, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. Part of the depot will be used by Amtrak customers, but the other portion will be turned into a museum. The 103-year-old train depot had … Continue reading Renovated Kingman depot set to open in spring

Pontiac museum in Pontiac will open in July

It's official: A museum featuring Pontiac vehicles is scheduled to open July 21 in the Old Square West building in downtown Pontiac, Ill., according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The Pontiac City Council approved a contract Monday with Tim Dye of Broken Arrow, Okla., so he could bring his collection of Pontiac and Oakland cars and … Continue reading Pontiac museum in Pontiac will open in July

Mayor of Springfield, Ill., found dead

Tim Davlin, 53, the mayor of Springfield, Ill., since 2003, was found dead at his home Tuesday morning of a gunshot wound, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The newspaper reported that the wound was self-inflicted. Police remained tight-lipped throughout the day, and would not say whether it was a suicide or accident. An autopsy … Continue reading Mayor of Springfield, Ill., found dead