On June 7, City of Litchfield Tourism in Litchfield, Ill., emailed a news release about the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Museum being built in town. This news had already been reported here and other news outlets.
However, I didn’t know how far along the museum construction had proceeded until I received this photo Monday:
This is an artist’s rendering of what the completed museum will look like:
A few details from the initial news release:
The Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center is being constructed at 200 South Old Route 66 on the site of the former ‘Vic’ Suhling Gas For Less and near other iconic Route 66 restaurants and landmarks still in operation. The new facility is designed to reflect the Route 66 era. […]
The project is being organized by the museum’s foundation, and funding is being provided entirely through private sources and grants. In addition, Litchfield City Administrator Andy Ritchie, P.E., is currently riding a bicycle on Route 66 from California to Chicago to raise money for the new museum and visitor center.
“Litchfield is a popular destination for travelers exploring Route 66, and this museum and welcome center will further enrich our visitors’ knowledge and perceptions of this area,” said Carol Burke, Tourism Coordinator for the City of Litchfield. “Three miles of the original Mother Road pass through Litchfield, and several iconic restaurants and businesses dating from the 1920s through the 1950s continue to operate here, including the Ariston Café and the Sky View Drive-In. Visitors here can experience the oldest restaurant still operating along Route 66 in Illinois, as well as only continuously operating drive-in movie theater along the historic road in Illinois.”
In a follow-up email, Julie Kuenneke said it is hoped the museum will be open by fall 2012.
I like the design of the building.
That IS coming along fast!