The Bartsow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in a Harvey House on the north side of Barstow, California, will remain closed “indefinitely” after flooding from monsoon rains damaged part of the facility.
The museum stated on its webpage that the city is repairing the damage and that no funds are needed.
Deb Hodkin, longtime curator of the museum, said on a comment thread on the Historic Route 66 page on Facebook that only a few artifacts were damaged.
For now, Hodkin said the museum’s contents have been distributed to other area museums, such as the Western America Railroad Museum next door, the local Mojave River Valley Museum in Barstow and the California Historic Route 66 66 Museum in Victorville.
The Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum has operated since 2000 in the historic Casa del Desierto, a Harvey House, in Barstow.
The museum displays a collection of historic photographs and artifacts related to Route 66 and Mojave Desert communities. Displays include the development of the U.S. 66 from early pioneer trails, railroads, automotive history, businesses and sites.
UPDATE: The museum stated in a Facebook post tonight that the closure is permanent.
“We appreciate all the amazing support of so many over the years. Collections have been transferred to other area museums,” it stated.”
UPDATE2: The museum sent this via Facebook Messenger:
After another flood (City owned building), we thought best to distribute the contents to other area museums while we can before something worse happens. We’ve enjoyed our 24 years volunteering, it’s time to move on. All the wonderful people, we have met and gotten to know over the years, the volunteers and visitors, many repeat visitors from out of the country has been the highlight, plus the collections people have generously shared. Thankfully that will continue on.
(Image of the Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum by QuesterMark via Flickr)