Clinton Route 66 museum will close for renovations

The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton is set to close from January to at least mid-April for renovations, according to the museum’s website.

Pat Smith, the museum’s director, said in a message on the website’s home page that the museum will close its exhibits for renovations beginning Jan. 1, with the hope to reopen by April 15 — a few weeks before Route 66 tourism season begins.

Smith said the main lobby and gift shop will remain open during the museum’s regular hours throughout the face-lift.

According to a Facebook message from Route 66 booster Leroy Livesay of Clinton, the museum is undergoing a $500,000 renovation, and the exhibits will be “bigger and better” when they’re complete.

Officials at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum couldn’t be reached for comment.

Although the museum remains among the very best about Route 66, it probably needs some sprucing up. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum opened in 1995, and its exhibits undoubtedly are seeing the effects of age.

According to an article last year in The Oklahoman, the museum saw 33,000 visitors in 2009, which was a record.

(Hat tip: Mike Ward)