Grand Re-Opening of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum May 26, 2012
Pat Smith
(580) 323-7866
05/14/12
Oklahoma City, OK
For Immediate Release
After 17 years, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum has undergone a full renovation of its 8 exhibit galleries, bringing the facility into the 21st Century. The grand opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 2:00 p.m, during Clinton's 2012 Route 66 Festival. Activities are scheduled throughout the day, including special Route 66 guests, music, free museum admission and refreshments!
Following the designation of Route 66 as a scenic byway in 2007, the museum was awarded $120,000 in federal grant money from the National Scenic Byways Program and the Department of Transportation. The Friends of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, INC. and the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) collaborated and raised the remainder of funds needed to complete the project.
The exhibits in the Route 66 Museum have not been updated since being built in 1995; and, they were beginning to show signs of wear. Not wanting to change the thematic approach, the museum will continue to tell the story of Route 66 by decade; but, through modern technology, patrons will have the opportunity to interact with the exhibits. For example, pre-recorded conversations and the more common sounds of a diner will be overheard as patrons sit in the booths located in museums Diner exhibit. Kiosks will be strategically placed loaded with games, video excerpts, and other interactive activities for patrons of all ages. An embedded children's tour will be a welcome addition, as caricatures of popular models of classic cars will guide them through the exhibits. The changes will create a more personal, hands-on Route 66 experience.
The Grand Opening ceremony will be held on May 26, 2012. Throughout the day of the Grand Opening ceremony, visitors can tour the museum at no charge! Route 66 author Jim Ross, Route 66 photographer Shellee Graham, and Route 66 author/artist Jerry McClanahan will host a book signing of their new collaborative work Route 66: Sightings. Prior to (and continued after the conclusion of) the ceremony, local musician Jared Deck, will perform the rock 'n roll hits heard during the heyday of Route 66.
The officiall ceremony, emceed by Jim Ross, will begin at 2pm, and will not interfere with Clinton's Route 66 Festival. Besides the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association will induct two more members into the Route 66 Hall of Fame. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served to everyone.
The event is open to the public and is free of charge. If you have any questions or comments, please contact museum director Pat Smith, via email rt66mus@okhistory.org or via telephone (580) 323-7866.
