Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant

The Joliet Area Historical Museum is considering the acquisition of the closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant -- best known for its unique, 28-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue -- in nearby Wilmington, Illinois. The Herald-News published the story Saturday less than a week after the Launching Pad was listed for $1.4 million on the Crexi commercial … Continue reading Joliet Area Historical Museum interested in buying closed Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant

West Central Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque offers sneak-preview hours

The West Central Route 66 Visitor Center won't open until sometime next year, but the facility is offering sneak-preview hours while stuff is being moved into the facility. The center stated this in a recent Facebook post: Open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, these preview days provide a unique … Continue reading West Central Route 66 Visitor Center in Albuquerque offers sneak-preview hours

Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring

The historic Rosati Winery and Museum along Route 66 near St. James, Missouri, will reopen by spring after being closed for almost a decade, said one of the principals. Jacob Stotler, who will run the museum, said in a phone interview that local caterer Deb Branson will open a restaurant at the facility, along with … Continue reading Rosati Winery and Museum near St. James to reopen by spring

Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois, may be expanded to include a replica of future President Abraham Lincoln's 1844 cottage and the nearby Elijah Iles House, named for one of the city's early settlers. U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth introduced legislation last week to expand the boundaries of the site, which is run … Continue reading Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield may be expanded

Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen

The Joliet Area Historical Museum in Joliet, Illinois, recently acquired space that housed the world's first Dairy Queen restaurant. That first DQ, which opened in 1940, was in a brick, two-story building at 501 N. Chicago St., though the building itself dates to the 1890s. Greg Peerbolte, the museum's executive director, talked to the Joliet … Continue reading Joliet museum acquires the site of the world’s first Dairy Queen

Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025

The landmark Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis is undergoing $27.5 million in renovations through the middle of 2025. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the project will include four new exhibits, more accessibility and structural improvements. The Old Courthouse is part of the nearby Gateway Arch National Park complex. Both are fewer than 10 blocks … Continue reading Old Courthouse in St. Louis undergoing renovations through mid-2025

TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

TravelCenters of America will acquire Russell’s Travel Center along Route 66 near Endee, New Mexico, effective Oct. 11, though it will keep the Russell’s name and its museum for a few years. Russell's opened in 2010 on the ruins of the long-closed Longhorn II restaurant along Interstate 40 and a 1952-1980 alignment of Route 66. … Continue reading TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

The Joliet Area Historical Museum on Sunday will open the circa-1920s Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market in Joliet, Illinois, as a house museum. The market at 1314 Elizabeth St. (map here) will have free admission that day. After that, the Planinsek Grocery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday until … Continue reading Joliet history museum to open Slovenian grocery store museum on Sunday

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC plans an immersive exhibit

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is planning an immersive exhibit that will take visitors on a virtual journey through the West. The Tulsa World reported the museum is partnering with Lighthouse Immersive, the company behind the "Immersive Van Gogh" in Oklahoma City last year. The exhibit, which will be located … Continue reading National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC plans an immersive exhibit

Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced

Applications for the next round of the Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program, administered through the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, are being taken through Oct. 31. According to a news release from the partnership: The grant program is one of the first in a series of “birthday gifts" to be given to Route 66 in the years … Continue reading Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced