Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Museum is inviting individuals to share their personal experiences with the original Route 66 in Illinois. This call extends to travelers, businesses that operated along the route, workers who built the highway, and others. The initiative is part of preparations for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.

Historians from the Illinois State Museum plan to record and share oral histories from people who have connections to the historic roadway, which was operational from 1926 until its decommissioning in 1985.

"These interviews will help illustrate the significance of this important transportation achievement," said Erika Holst, the museum's curator of history.

Museum historians are specifically looking to interview:

- People with memories of driving on Route 66 or traveling the highway for family or business purposes.

- Individuals or families involved in operating restaurants, hotels, or auto service businesses along the route.

- Those who participated in building, maintaining, or rerouting Route 66.

- First responders who worked along Route 66.

- Anyone with other firsthand experiences related to Route 66.

"This project also gives us an opportunity to preserve memories of Illinois citizens for posterity," said Amanda Bryden, registrar for the history collections at the Illinois State Museum and Illinois historic sites.

Individuals interested in participating can contact Route 66 project coordinator Judy Wagenblast at jwagenblastp@gmail.com. The oral history project receives partial funding from the National Park Service.

Participants will be required to sign a permission form granting legal rights to conduct and preserve their interviews. There is no monetary compensation offered. Video recordings and transcriptions of these interviews will be made available online as part of the centennial celebration of Historic Route 66 in 2026.

Established in 1877, the Illinois State Museum aims to inspire exploration of Illinois' past and present. It promotes stewardship of cultural and natural resources through its headquarters in Springfield and branch facilities in Lewistown and Lockport. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.