Route 66 in the News
Museum Obtains Photo Collection
2008-02-20 07:38:22
PONTIAC, Ill. - Pontiac will be the location of a Route 66 exhibit featuring photos of the Mother Road, with a grand opening scheduled at 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, at the museum complex located in the Old City Hall and Firehouse in downtown Pontiac. The exhibit encompasses 166 photos taken during an eight-day trip though the eight states Route 66 traverses—Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California—and will be on permanent loan to the city.
“There was a call put out to all the Route 66 states that photographer Michael Campanelli was looking for a permanent home for his largest Route 66 exhibit, and we answered the call,” said Patty Ambrose, Executive Director of the Historic Illinois Route 66 America’s Byway. “This exhibit has been featured in several of the western states,” Ambrose continued. “Our organization now has stewardship of this display, and we want to share it with Route 66 visitors starting their journey here in Illinois—where the road begins.”
Pontiac city workers have been busy readying the facility for the display. Four rooms in the museum complex are being renovated in what Ellie Alexander, Tourism Director for the city sites as “a dramatic backdrop.” “Two of the rooms are old jail cells with bars intact. Upstairs is the ‘asylum’ where the exposed beams and slanted roofline will delight visitors,” said Alexander.
The city recently received a grant to install an elevator in the museum complex, making the upper floors accessible to the public at large. “The elevator should be installed by June,” said Alexander, “but the upper floors are accessible now through the stairway.”
“This photo display is an exciting addition to the city of Pontiac and to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Route 66 author and Hall of Fame and Museum committee chairman, John Weiss. “Visitors can clearly experience the fascinating difference found by today’s as well as yesterday’s travelers.”
Alexander reported that approximately 1000 visitors come through the museum complex each month. “Route 66 is a great asset, not just to Pontiac, but the entire state. I don’t think most people realize how many visitors Route 66 brings in, especially the international visitors. While they’re in Pontiac they shop and visit other historical sites, so it has a definite economic impact.”
"The Route 66 Association of Illinois is looking forward to helping the City of Pontiac host Mr. Michael Campanelli's photo display of his journey down Route 66. His photography captures the spirit of what used to be. Seeing these photos will stir up memories in the minds of many who traveled Route 66 in its heyday -- memories that are stories to be shared. We look forward to great conversations about Route 66 then and now with our museum guests," states Illinois Route 66 Association of Illinois President, Cathie Stevanovich.
~Press Release
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