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 stories and images of the Mother Road to life across Missouri. The Exhibit includes as stops in the state kicking off in Springfield from April 30–May 2 followed by Cuba from May 3–Sept. 14, 2026. All events are free and family friendly.
The Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of Missourians connected by Route 66.
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.
On Friday, May 1, the exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. School groups are encouraged to visit, and an art activity is planned. Please RSVP to joy@gillioz.org. The Missouri Jazz Orchestra will play that evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for attendees. On Saturday, May 2nd, the exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Then on Sunday, May 3 the Crawford County Historical Society will host a special free opening event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. featuring live music, food from “Taste of Cuba” restaurants, and a panel discussion at 1 p.m. to include author Joe Sonderman, who will sell and sign books, Cherokee historian Galen Gritts and other special guests sharing history and their travels along Route 66. On Monday, May 4th, area schools are invited to bring students for special guided tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. School groups are asked to RSVP in advance to: info@visitcubamo.com. The Historical Society is located at 308 N. Smith in Cuba, Missouri.
The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit is made possible with support from the Missouri Route 66 Centennial Commission, Missouri Humanities, the Missouri Route 66 Association, the Gillioz, and many other institutions. The exhibit will continue to travel to communities along the Mother Road, highlighting local histories while connecting them to the broader national story.
Additional exhibit stops will be in Pacific, Missouri on Sept. 16 and 17, Carthage, Missouri on Sept. 18–20 and the St. Louis Public Libraries. For more information please visit www.route66exhibit.com or contact Katrina Parks at info@assertionfilms.com.