KNME-TV Colores! to feature N.M. Route 66
KNME-TV Producer Michael Kamins has announced a joint project with the
New Mexico Route 66 Association to document the impact of Historic Route 66
in New Mexico. "Route 66 in New Mexico" will be broadcast in July of 2001 as
an integral part of the Route 66 Anniversary events. "Route 66 in New Mexico"
will be broadcast statewide in New Mexico and distributed to PBS stations
across the nation. Video copies will be made available to New Mexico Public
School systems, and a study guide will be placed on the KNME-TV web site for
educational use.
From Tucumcari to Gallup, this documentary travels historic Route 66 from
one end to the other on both historic alignments. At the heart of "Route 66
in New Mexico" is the story of how commercial car culture of the 1930's and
the post-war years brought U.S. Highway 66 to life. Featured are stories,
some heroic, some tragic, of those who hit the road in pursuit of the
American dream. The program explores the growing tourism industry and visits
the small towns that rose up to meet the needs of tourism and commerce.
"We celebrate the unique Route 66 architecture with all the grand kitsch.
We go from the deco motor courts of the 1930's to the streamline moderne gas
stations of the 1950's. We look at the 3-D architecture and road signs, the
roadside attractions and entertainment, and of course the neon!" All of this
will be set to the music of the different time periods to create a sense of
time and place.
Overall, "Route 66 in New Mexico" follows the life of this famous highway
in the Land of Enchantment. "Route 66 in New Mexico" shows the different
phases and evolution of travel in New Mexico from the early pioneer trails,
to the railroad and then the automobile. There is an exploration of the
different strategies and politics in getting U.S. Highway 66 built in New
Mexico and, of course, the glory days of "America's Main Street."
Importantly, this documentary ends with a look at how we are creating our own
mark in the history of Route 66 today.
"Route 66 in New Mexico" shows how these unique cultural assets of our
past are being rediscovered. Capitalizing upon the rich history, areas along
this historic highway are now being revitalized, making the history tangible
and marketable. The documentary shows how we are adding our own chapter to
the myth of this historic road today.
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Route 66 Interpretive Center to open at Acoma Pueblo
by Chris Cordova
A Route 66 interpretive center on Acoma Pueblo is expected to open in
January of 2000. The center, funded by a grant from the Federal Highway
Administration and sponsored by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center of
Albuquerque, will feature a map (32 feet long by four feet high) of Historic
Route 66 from Gallup to Glen Rio. The map will include text and photos of
significant sites related to New Mexico Historic Route 66.
Mike Pitel, formerly with the New Mexico Department of Tourism, is
overseeing the research, development and installation of interpretive
materials. Jan Underwood of Information Illustrated, who has produced a
number of the maps of Historic Route 66 in New Mexico, was contracted to
revise and update the interpretive center map.
The center is located just west of Sky City Casino between Interstate 40
and Old Route 66. It was designed by Architect John Tansey, reflecting
"pueblo" style construction. Featuring an open ceiling with exposed vigas,
the building will provide visitors with a taste of building design when
Historic Route 66 was still a vital roadway.
The center features two main rooms. One features Acoma pottery, jewelry
and textiles, the other Route 66 memorabilia. Acoma Pueblo has dedicated full
time staff to operate the center. Sale of pottery, jewelry and Route 66
curios will help offset operation and maintenance costs.
"See the U.S.A." Exhibit opens in Washington, D.C.
The National Building Museum officially opened its exhibit "See the
U.S.A.: Automobile Travel and the American Landscape" on November 18, 1999.
Located at 401 F Street NW in Washington, D.C., the museum is dedicated to
our built environment. The exhibit runs until mid-May 2000.
"See the U.S.A." explores the roadside businesses that made leisure
travel by motorcar an accepted and expected part of life in twentieth-century
America. Overflowing with illustrated road maps, advertising brochures,
picture postcards, and other promotional ephemera and artifacts, the
exhibition celebrates gas, food, lodging, and amusement facilities that once
dotted America's highways. For further information please call the National
Building Museum at (202) 272-2448.
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