SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois State Museum is inviting visitors to take a trip down the Mother Road with a new exhibit celebrating the history and culture of U.S. Route 66 Centennial.

"Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66" opens Saturday at the museum in Springfield. The exhibit highlights what life was like along Route 66 during its peak years as a major highway connecting Chicago and Los Angeles.

The exhibit features pieces from the museum's Route 66 Oral History Project, which includes 100 interviews with people who lived, worked and traveled along the historic roadway. Visitors will be able to hear excerpts from those firsthand accounts throughout the exhibit.

Museum officials said the collection includes a variety of Route 66 memorabilia, such as vintage souvenirs, neon signs, fiberglass advertising figures and Burma-Shave signs.

"This exhibit is a must-see for any fan of Route 66," said Illinois State Museum Curator of History Erika Holst. "What sets it apart is the opportunity to hear memories of the Mother Road in the voices of the people who lived it."

Commissioned in 1926, Route 66 became known as one of the country's most iconic highways, carrying travelers westward for decades before the interstate system eventually replaced much of the route. Interest in the roadway surged again in the late 20th century, turning Route 66 into an international tourism destination that now draws millions of visitors each year.

The exhibit arrives as Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary this year.

"Some of the stories featured in the exhibit cover topics that even seasoned Route 66 travelers may not have heard before," said Illinois State Museum Registrar of History Amanda Bryden. "There is something for everyone, regardless of familiarity with the road."

The project was supported through partnerships and donations from the Illinois State Museum Society, the Hanson family, Jane and Paul Ford, Loken Family funds through the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, the Lumpkin Foundation, Stifel and the Cozy Dog Drive-In.

"Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66" will remain on display through April 4, 2027. Admission to the Illinois State Museum is free, and the museum is open daily.

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