Press Release
July 12, 2016
Contact: Pat Smith
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 580-323-7866
Rt66mus@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/route66
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to Host Route 66 Hall of Fame Induction
CLINTON, Okla. — On August 6, 2016, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum will host the Route 66 Hall of Fame Induction and the 90th anniversary of Route 66. Along with these two grand events, the museum also will be unveiling two new exhibits. The celebration will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Wow! Room of the museum. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
Every two years, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association selects two people, one living and one deceased, to be inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. Inductees have made outstanding contributions to the promotion, preservation, education or business along the Mother Road. The selection includes a nomination and committee process. Past winners include author Michael Wallis of Tulsa, journalist Kent Ruth, “Mr. 66” Jack Cutberth of Clinton and Lucille Hammons, known as “The Mother of the Mother Road.”
The 90th anniversary celebration will commemorate the official establishment of Route 66 as a federal highway in 1926, when the United States established a national highway system.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum also will be unveiling a new folk art exhibit. Folk art from artists across Oklahoma and Route 66 will be on display until next year. Most of the works on display are part of the Dr. Al Turner Collection from the Oklahoma Historical Society. The outdoor exhibits also will be available for viewing. Panels have been placed in the outdoor columns depicting places in Clinton that were known along Route 66. Wall panels also will be in place with photos of hot spots along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica.
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is located at 2229 W. Gary Blvd. in Clinton. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors ages 65 and up, $1 for children ages 6 to 18 and free for children under 6. The museum galleries present the history and legends of Route 66 through the decades. For additional information, please contact Pat Smith at 580-323-7866 or email rt66mus@okhistory.org
The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains 30 museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
