SHSMO’s Route 66 coordinator Kathleen Seale, recently met with members of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, the National Park Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two-day annual meeting focused on efforts across the country to preserve and provide crucial research of Route 66. There are numerous projects currently in the works to celebrate the Mother Road’s centennial with many more planned for the future.
“I was very impressed with the collaboration that is happening across all eight states where travelers made memories and businesses flourished along Route 66,” said Seale. “There is vested interest in preserving the history of Route 66 as we work towards the commemoration in 2026. As one of eight states, Missouri is excited to be part of this join effort."
The State Historical Society of Missouri is part of a multistate collaboration of institutions known as Research Route 66, an information gateway to the myriads of stories and historical records of the Mother Road. This network of institutions supports students, authors, scholars, preservationist, business owners, media, and the public seeking information about Route 66.
If you are interested in ways to get involved or would be interested in a speaker for your group organization to commemorate the Centennial of Route 66, contact Kathleen Seale at rolla@shsmo.org. You can also visit researchroute66.org to learn more about the libraries, archives and museums working to preserve this rich history of a beloved highway.