The Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum is an institution packed with intriguing exhibits that pay tribute to a road that has become a part of U.S. folklore. You can also pick up relevant travel resources here to help guide you on your trip along this iconic highway.
Chat to the experts and volunteers about their own associations with the highway, which was opened in 1926 and originally stretched across 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers) of varied American terrain. Trace its history in the museum and discover how it has become an integral part of national pop culture, featuring in songs, books and TV programs. For example, it is central to the John Steinbeck novel and its adapted movie The Grapes of Wrath.
Study the array of signs and posters on the museum’s walls from decades ago. Shelves and cases contain vintage gas meters and maps from a bygone era. Check out the newspaper clippings and notable news items which track the changes to the highway. A wall called Memory Lane is adorned with old vehicle registration plates, adding to the sense of nostalgia in the museum.
The museum opens daily year round from morning until late afternoon, with slightly longer hours in summer. Admission is free. Bring in your own Route 66 items on Saturday mornings to donate to the museum. For a fun souvenir, have your photo taken beside an enormous Route 66 shield painted onto the wall at the back of the building.
You’ll find the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum on the lower floor of Pontiac’s old city hall. It is just below the Livingston County War Museum and is served by a bus stop just outside.
While in the area, visit nearby highlights like the Museum of the Gilding Arts, the Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum and the Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center.
