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Route 66 has played a pivotal role in shaping America’s spirit of adventure, fostering a sense of community, and opening up new possibilities for generations. As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of this iconic highway, the New Mexico Route 66 Association proudly hosts a six-day journey across the Land of Enchantment to honor this remarkable legacy. The Motor Tour, scheduled for September 8-13, 2026, invites participants to embark on a memorable exploration of New Mexico’s historic 604-mile scenic byway. The tour will follow the current Route 66 alignment as well as the pre-1937 segment, offering short daily drive distances so guests can truly savor the essence of the Mother Road, relishing the fun and adventure that have defined it for a century. In partnership with Route 66 municipalities and communities statewide, the New Mexico Route 66 Association extends a heartfelt invitation to join this once-in-a-century event. The tour is more than a cruise—it’s a celebration of preservation, discovery, and economic revitalization along the legendary Route 66 corridor in New Mexico. Whether you choose to experience all six days or join for a portion of the route, you are welcome to cruise with us and discover why New Mexico is truly the Land of Enchantment. The event welcomes classic cars, contemporary vehicles, travel trailers, and motorcycles, ensuring everyone can experience the magic of Route 66. Those wishing to learn more about the New Mexico Route 66 Association Motor Tour 2026 as plans progress are encouraged to visit rt66nm.org/join-or-renew.html. The New Mexico Route 66 Association has been dedicated to the education, promotion, and preservation of Historic Route 66 in New Mexico since 1989, working tirelessly to support economic revitalization along its 604-mile stretch. As a 501(c)(3) organization, their commitment has helped keep the legacy of the Mother Road alive for future generations.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a Grant Program for legacy businesses, non-profits, and public agencies OPEN NOW! Grants will generally not exceed $10k and can be used for a variety of projects, including capital improvements, planning, and marketing. Locations can be on or near Route 66, provided they can illustrate a connection to the road’s history. Is a match required? No match is required for either the non-profit/public agency grant or the legacy business grant. However, please count any matched dollars or in-kind donations to make your application stronger! What projects are eligible? Previous funded projects include HVAC, window restoration, exterior and interior paint, signage, historic interpretation, lesson plans, multimedia and film projects, and structural repair. What is a Legacy Business? Small, independently owned businesses that have been operated for many years and contribute to Route 66's history and culture. New businesses helping to revitalize an underutilized Route 66 historic building are also eligible. The current round is open for applications from August 4 until September 30; check out their website or contact the National Trust with any questions. Rhys Martin, manager of the Preserve Route 66 program, has been involved in the greater Route 66 community in a variety of roles since 2015. More information: preserveroute66.org [email protected] 539-302-8580  Up to $42,500 in grants are available for Route 66 businesses and attractions through the Preservation and Economic Development Grant Program this year. The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 with its Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program [PED]—an Official Route 66 Centennial Project. The PED program will provide $42,500 to support Route 66 businesses and attractions this year. Up to 20 grant awards of $2,125.00 each will be made by a Route 66 PED Grant Program Review Committee, which acts independently of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership. The program's goals include helping Route 66 businesses and attractions stay in operation or reopen. Bill Thomas, Chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, said, "The Preservation & Economic Development Grant Program also supports preserving, restoring, or expanding - as well as starting new - Route 66 businesses and attractions." Businesses and attractions located on Route 66 that employ fewer than 20 full-time employees or are a small, locally owned franchise with five or fewer locations may apply. Eligible activities include capital improvements, historic preservation planning or work, and accessibility or community outreach. Applications for the Route 66 Preservation and Economic Development Grant Program are available now and will be accepted through September 29, 2025. Apply here.  Donatella Davanzo is an Italian American cultural anthropologist and documentary photographer whose body of work focuses on the connection between communities and their landscapes. Photography is the key vehicle and tool in Donatella Davanzo's visual ethnographic research and documentation of the unique cultural practices and spatial organizations of diverse human communities in the Southwestern United States and abroad. Donatella is widely recognized for her in-depth exploration and lectures centering on the acequias—centuries-old, communally managed crop irrigation systems in New Mexico. She is also known for her visual ethnographic studies and document analyses of the stretch of Route 66 that runs through New Mexico. Based on visual documentation contained in her doctoral dissertation, Donatella’s grant-funded Route 66 Centennial project, Route 66 Connected, comprises an innovative interactive exposition of original commercial properties developed between 1937 and 1970 along Route 66 in New Mexico that are still in operation today.   Most recently, Donatella participated in the 2025 New Mexico Route 66 Association Motor Tour, taking photos and preparing the tour guide with her numerous photographs and detailed descriptions and history. The guide is an invaluable resource for the motor tour participants, and for the New Mexico Route 66 Association that hosted the event. To date, Donatella has authored two books. Tango in Venice: Expression of a Rite views tango dancers from an anthropological perspective, concentrating on their use of movement and space, and their use of dance as a ritual. Through International CultoMusica: An Ethno-Photographic Account by Donatella Davanzo, she documents eleven different religious cults still present in Trieste during eleven different musical concerts. To learn more or to connect with Donatella about her photography, visit her Route 66 Connected website at: https://donatellaabq.wixsite.com/route-66-connected    This year, 50 historic small restaurants across the country will each receive a $50,000 grant. Now in its fifth year, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are once again supporting 50 small or independently owned restaurants across the country through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. Each restaurant—all places that contribute to their neighborhood's unique history and identity—will receive $50,000 in funding to help them improve their businesses and positively impact their communities. Grant applications and public nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 30, 2025. Since it began, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program has granted nearly $5.7 million to 130 historic restaurants (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) to help restaurants address critical needs amid ongoing economic challenges. This critical financial support helps small restaurant owners better navigate economic challenges, disasters, or other hardships so that their establishments' legacies can continue. Restaurant Enthusiasts: Historic small restaurants—tangible connections to our communities’ histories—face ongoing economic challenges. Submit your favorite spot today to help save it for years to come. Nominate Restaurant Owners: Owners can apply today for a $50K grant to address their restaurant’s critical needs. Apply May 12: Application Launch May 30: Applications Due Late June: Applicants Notified July: Recipients Announced More Information  SOURCE: ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL Award-winning Albuquerque architect and entrepreneur Mark Baker has unveiled plans for the Route 66 National Research Center—a new, federally funded initiative of the University of New Mexico, which will serve as a global mecca for Route 66 scholars under the umbrella of UNM’s library system and its Center for Southwest Research. Gracing the corner of University and Central—the old Route 66—the Research Center will house an archive of documents and materials related to the storied highway, including oral histories, and will host academic conferences. As Baker’s floor plan and renderings show, it will also feature an exhibition space and a bookshop. Full Article: The Cadillac of cultural preservation: Architect Mark Baker unveils plans to convert a historic dealership into UNM’s new Route 66 research center  Architectural renderings of UNM's proposed Route 66 National Research Center, designed by Mark Baker, on the corner of Central and University in Albuquerque, New Mexico (courtesy of Baker A+D).
Season seven of Fast TV Network’s popular TV show Legends of Route 66 has been recommended as an “Official Route 66 Centennial Project.” The letter received from commission member Bill Thomas stated: “Congratulations, Fast TV Network’s Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven project has been recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as an Official Route 66 Centennial Project.” Fast TV Network President and CEO Mike Lee states, “We couldn’t be more honored than to receive Official Status from the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Planning for this special season of Legends of Route 66 began over three years ago. We are excited to get back on the Mother Road. Over the next several months we will be working hard to bring the excitement of the Centennial Celebration to our viewers. We would like to thank the commission and the New Mexico Route 66 Association for making this possible.” Fast TV Network Vice President of Production and Programming, Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee states; “This is a great honor for Fast TV Network. Creatively, this will be one of our most diverse seasons yet. Covering all eight states in one season is challenging, yet exciting as we showcase the Mother Road to the world. As president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association we are working with Fast TV Network to not only promote New Mexico, but our seven other sister Route 66 states as well.” Fast TV Network C.O.O. Rob Wagner states; “We have a lot of surprises in store for season seven of Legends of Route 66. As we celebrate 100 years of Route 66 it is an honor to bring this to our viewers who have been so loyal to us over the past seven years. Creatively, this will be our coolest season yet!” Pre-production has already been in progress for several months. Production begins May 1, 2025, and will continue throughout the summer. Legends of Route 66 Centennial Season Seven will begin streaming in November of this year. Fast TV Network is available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and online at FastTVNetwork.com.  Thank you, Visit Gallup, for inviting the New Mexico Route 66 Association to speak last week at January’s Route 66 Think Tank to engage in creative, thoughtful dialogue about Gallup’s Route 66 future. We were excited to hear ideas Gallup has for the upcoming centennial and share information on our association’s Route 66 neon sign restorations, roadside attraction sign project, the upcoming Motor Tour, and other projects coming up in preparation for the 2026 centennial. We’re also pleased to welcome our new members who signed up to reap the benefits the association has to offer and be listed in our business directory. The association is currently scheduling and planning to join other meetings or gatherings along the route. If you would like the association to come to your town, please contact us: email [email protected] or drop us a message.  The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, in collaboration with the National Park Service, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program (NPS), is providing an update and preview of national-level Route 66 Centennial activities and events that have been approved by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. legislated intent of the Commission, and its work to date:
THE ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL WEBSITE Launching in early 2025, the Route 66 Centennial website is designed to:
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership Board of Directors held its third quarter meeting on August 9, 2024. Reports were presented by the Partnership’s Working Groups and updates on the Road Ahead’s Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant and Black Experiences Grant Programs were provided. Information regarding the most recent Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission programs, activities, projects, and events approved was also shared.
The Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission approved the Route 66 Centennial Public-Facing Communications plan that was submitted in February. One of the key elements of this plan is the Centennial website, which is currently under development with a goal for launch on January 1, 2025. The Road Ahead submitted three new projects to the Route 66 Centennial Commission during the third quarter. The Commission voted to recommend the Google Arts and Culture Route 66 Hub, the Route 66 Pathways Project, and the I Am Route 66 Project as Official Route 66 Centennial Projects. It appears that progress is being made on the Route 66 Historic Trail Bill, as it moves in the direction of being included in an end-of-year Land Package legislation in the House of Representatives. The Road Ahead will work with congressional staffers to introduce a bill in the Senate that compliments the House bill. Efforts to raise funds for the proposed Route 66 National Research Center began following onsite meetings with officials from UNM, the Lobo Development Group, and the UNM Foundation in August. The Preservation Working Group’s Quick Reference Preservation Guide is available online (www.route66theroadahead.org/resources). The Road Ahead can help users make the most of this tool. For more information, email [email protected]. The Board also voted to engage Samantha Extance to facilitate a blended (i.e. online and in person) strategic planning process for the Partnership. More details are available via minutes of the August 9, 2024 Board Meeting, found in the Resource section of the Road Ahead website. Further details and more updates can be found in the online (www.route66roadahead.org/resources). Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments’ Fund, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development. Residents and tourism stakeholders in the Grants area are invited to the next Route 66 Centennial Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday, November 19! We welcome you to share your ideas and perspective for how New Mexico can celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026! Date: Tuesday, November 19 Time: 9 a.m. - 12 noon Location: 515 W High Street, Grants, NM 87020 RSVP for the meeting here.  The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group held its forth centennial stakeholders meeting September 17, 2024 at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). Special guest speakers included Debbie Johnson of the Route 66 Centennial Commission, Lisa McGivern’s of the New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability, and Laisa Barthuli, Route 66 Corridor Program manager of the National Park Service. The Department of Tourism and the New Mexico Route 66 Coordination Group provided updates from board members where available. New Mexico Route 66 Association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee, vice president, Nam Tran, and association advisor, David Nidel, were on hand to provide input on questions pertaining to the kickoff of the centennial celebrations as well as a few projects still in the works nationally. The next meeting to be held in Grants is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19. Before leaving campus, association president, Beasley-Lee and husband Mike Lee made a stop at the SFCC Visual Arts Gallery to experience DREAM BIG!, the art of George Rodrique. The exhibit consists of thirty original paintings from the private collection of Rodrigue’s widow, Wendy Rodrigue Magnus, and include some of the artist’s most famous Blue Dog canvases, iconic portraits of Cajun personalities, and rarely seen artworks inspired by his lifelong love of New Mexico. Wendy explains the theme of the exhibition: “Dreams are the portal to creativity. They are tied to instinct and desire, and they are the birthplace of ideas. This exhibition seeks to inspire through stories of pursuing one’s dreams, meeting one’s fears, and expressing our art, whatever it may be, with the full wonder of our imagination.” The artwork is presented through a collaboration with SFCC School of Arts and Design, SFCC Continuing Education, SFCC Foundation, and the Life & Legacy Foundation. The exhibition continues through October 2.  With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming up in 2026, the City of Albuquerque is working with 14 local businesses and property owners to restore vintage signs along the “Mother Road.” The City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture and Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is investing $432,000 in the Revamp Route 66: Sign Improvement Grant Program. As of mid-September, a little over one year after the program was announced, new and restored signs are popping up across the city. Some businesses like Root 66 Barber and The Imperial Inn have already had their signs finished. The 5501 Plaza and the Dog House said their signs are almost complete. “It’s been an honor to get it for sure. These signs aren’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination and it’s not something we would have probably invested that much money in. So to be awarded that really meant a lot to us,” said Dacia Weist, owner of 5501 Plaza and program participant. “It’s going to be great; because it’s going to show, it’s neon. So we are looking forward to it, and hopefully it will attract more people,” said Vicki Jaramillo, general manager of Dog House. KRQE NEWS 13 compiled a list and photo gallery to track the transformation of the signs at the 14 establishments participating in the Route 66 sign program. Read More Source: WRKG News Story by Fallon Fischer, Jessica Salinas  The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group is hosting its next stakeholder meeting in Santa Fe on Tuesday, September 17. Join us to share your ideas and perspective for how New Mexico can celebrate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026! Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Time: 9 a.m. - 12 noon Venue: Santa Fe Community College - Jemez Rooms Address: 6401 Richards Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87508 Click here to view the full agenda.  The most enduring highway in our public consciousness, Route 66 represents a unique moment in history that continues to define the nation’s identity: the rise of the automobile and its implications of freedom, mobility, and a quintessential American story. Grants from this fund will help preserve and enhance historic places on or connected to Route 66 for future generations. Grants from the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund are awarded to preserve historic places on or connected to Route 66. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to ongoing efforts. Grants awards may be made for activities and projects such as:
Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000. Applications due October 16. APPLY TODAY  |
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