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The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, in collaboration with multiple statewide Route 66 organizations, is launching a collectible series of trading cards for the Route 66 Centennial. Starting April 15th, cards will be available at locations across the Route 66 corridor from Illinois to California for $1 apiece. “We wanted to offer a fun and different item that people could add to their Route 66 itineraries as they travel during the road’s 100th Anniversary,” said Rhys Martin, board member of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. “State associations and scenic byways have been working together with the Road Ahead for a decade now and we wanted something to show that Route 66 truly is one long linear community that also gives back to that community.” Each card includes a Route 66 landmark, with locations divided out across the eight states that the road passes through with a list of factoids on the back. The number of cards in each state was determined by mileage and each location was selected by individual state Route 66 organizations. This initial launch of 27 cards was made possible thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. “Working alongside the other seven Route 66 states to create a unique, nostalgic, and exciting Centennial offering truly reflects the strength and value of collaboration,” said Casey Claypool, Executive Director of the Byway. “I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated and passionate group of Route 66 stewards. I hope travelers will appreciate the care, time, and collective effort that went into bringing this project to life.” 26 of the cards will be sold at various locations along Route 66 while the 27th will be offered from the Route 66 Centennial Caravan as it makes its way across the highway in June. Cards will only cost a dollar apiece, with a portion of each sale going to the business offering the card and a portion going back to each state organization. “This initial set of cards will hopefully inspire other businesses and landmarks to get involved,” Martin continued. “We plan to offer future ‘booster packs’ of cards with those proceeds going to the Road Ahead Partnership’s Preservation and Economic Development Grant.” To start your collection, look up card-selling location at route66tradingcards.com. To learn more about the Route 66 Centennial Caravan in June, go to route66caravan.com.  In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the history, stories, and images of the Mother Road to life across New Mexico. The Exhibit includes four stops in the state, kicking off in Grants (April 25-27); followed by Albuquerque (May 6-7); Gallup (May 9-December 31); with special events in Santa Fe (August 28-30). The free Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of New Mexicans connected by Route 66. “From the glow of neon signs to the steady hum of tires on open pavement, every mile of Route 66 tells a story,” said Exhibit organizer and documentarian Katrina Parks, of Assertion Films. “For nearly a century, the road has drawn visitors from around the world and continues to hold countless stories waiting to be uncovered. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit brings these stories to life and highlights the humanity of the Mother Road from a variety of perspectives.” Drawing from Parks’ acclaimed PBS documentary film series, Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road, the traveling Exhibit invites visitors to explore how Route 66 shaped American history, culture, and identity through the stories of the people who lived, worked, and traveled along it. The Exhibit will debut at the Cibola Arts Center at 1001 W. Santa Fe Ave in Grants, NM from April 25–27. The opening event on Saturday, April 25, will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. There will be a special screening of episode one of Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road at 11 a.m. Josie's Food Truck will be there all day, and there is a live performance by Thunder Ridge from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, April 26, the Exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an 11:30 a.m. art activity for youth led by artist Marla Allison, originally from Laguna Pueblo, and a 1:30 p.m. film screening followed by a panel discussion at 2:30 p.m. led by the film’s creator, Katrina Parks. Finally, on Monday, April 27, schools are invited to bring students for special guided tours. Students will receive “Route 66 passports” and are encouraged to explore the panels and answer questions as they move through the Exhibit. Groups should contact Denise Hanson in advance at [email protected] to schedule their visit. The Exhibit will continue on to the WHEELS Museum in Albuquerque on May 6 and 7, where it will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On May 6 at noon, there will be a Route 66 film screening, followed by a panel discussion led by Parks. Food trucks, including Pop-Pop's Italian Ice, will also be available. Schools are invited to bring students on May 7. Please RSVP in advance to Leba Freed at [email protected] to reserve school tours, as they will fill up quickly. Additionally, Routes Bicycle Rentals will offer a special tour to see the Exhibit at WHEELS Museum on May 6. To book or for more information, visit routesrentals.com. The WHEELS Museum is located at 1100 2nd St. SW in Albuquerque. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Exhibit will make its way to Gallup, where it will be on display from May 9 to December 31 at the Rex Museum, which is located at 300 W. Historic Hwy. 66. The Exhibit coincides with the Gallup Arts Crawl on Saturday, May 9, from 5 to 9 p.m. For the duration of the exhibit through Dec. 31, hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. School groups are invited to preview the exhibit the day before the official opening on May 8. Please RSVP in advance to Tammy Moe at [email protected]. From August 28 to 30, the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, NM, will host the Exhibit for three days of special events. The Route 66 films will screen throughout the day. School groups are encouraged to visit on Friday, Aug. 28. Groups should RSVP to Christina McCorquodale at [email protected] to reserve a time to visit. This project is made possible in part by a grant through the New Mexico Tourism Department, and through the support of our valued partners, including New Mexico Route 66 Association, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, New Mexico History Museum, the City of Gallup, the Octavia Fellin Public Library, Grants MainStreet Project, Cibola Arts Center, and the Wheels Museum. Additional details about these events, along with general information about the Exhibit, are available at www.route66exhibit.com or by contacting Katrina Parks at [email protected].   The New Mexico Route 66 Association is excited to announce the upcoming release of a special, second-edition collector coin in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the iconic Route 66. This commemorative coin is designed to honor the rich history and enduring legacy of Route 66 through New Mexico, which has played a significant role in American culture and travel.
This exclusive memento is produced by the New Mexico Route 66 Association, making it a highly coveted collector’s item. Each coin comes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, guaranteeing its genuineness and value as a collectible. Additionally, purchasers will receive a copy of the dated press release, further documenting the significance of this centennial celebration. “The Centennial is an opportunity to not only celebrate the history of Route 66, but also to recognize the iconic small businesses, historic sites, and roadside attractions that give the road its spirit,” said Melissa Beasley-Lee, President of the New Mexico Route 66 Association. According to Beasley-Lee, “This coin is a lasting tribute to the Route 66 communities, and the people and places that have kept this spirit of the Mother Road alive for a century, giving enthusiasts a beautiful, tangible piece of New Mexico history to cherish for the next 100 years.” The Association would like to express its sincere gratitude to United States Vietnam Veteran, Dale Punch, for his invaluable professional assistance in creating this coin. The collector coin will be officially released on May 2, 2026. Interested individuals can now preorder the coin through the New Mexico Route 66 Association's official website at RT66NM.org. The website provides additional details regarding the coin, including design features, ordering instructions, and further information about the anniversary event. Route 66 Centennial Side The Route 66 Centennial side of the coin showcases a distinctive, unique logo created exclusively for the New Mexico Route 66 Association by renowned New Mexico artist, Darryl Willison. The design combines key state symbols—the roadrunner, prickly pear cactus, and Zia symbol, alongside the iconic Route 66 shield and imagery of the road. Eight stars are included as a tribute both to the nation's 250th anniversary and to honor the military personnel who have served and continue to serve the country. New Mexico Route 66 Association Side The opposite side of the coin displays the official logo of the New Mexico Route 66 Association and highlights the organization’s founding year, 1989. This side also features eight US Highway shields to acknowledge the eight state Route 66 Associations that collaborated, through the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, for the past decade to make the centennial celebrations possible. Additionally, the beveled shield edge pays tribute to the nine Native American Nations Route 66 traverses in New Mexico. Availability and Membership Information The Centennial Coin will be available exclusively at participating Association Business Member locations and directly through the New Mexico Route 66 Association. Interested buyers can find a list of participating businesses on the Retail Store page of the Association’s website, RT66NM.org. Businesses wishing to become members and offer the centennial coin along with other official New Mexico Route 66 Association merchandise are encouraged to contact the Association via the website for more information. Supporting the Route 66 Legacy All proceeds from the sale of the Centennial Coin will go toward supporting the New Mexico Route 66 Association’s mission. This includes the education, promotion, and preservation of the New Mexico Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway, as well as the ongoing economic revitalization of the 604 miles of Route 66 across the state for future generations to enjoy. |
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