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ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR PRESERVATION PROGRAM

NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM SANTA FE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

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Early Route 66

1926-1932

officially designated through 1926 Federal Highway Actofficially designated through 1926 Federal Highway Act

connected a system of largely unpaved, existing roadsconnected a system of largely unpaved, existing roads

connected Midwest to isolated and predominantlyconnected Midwest to isolated and predominantly

rural Southwestrural Southwest

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Depression and WWII

1933 - 1945Approximately 210,000 migrants traveled it during the Dustbowl

CCC / WPA workers assisted with building the highway

Used to mobilize military troops and suppliesduring World War II

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The Golden Years

1946 1960sMass western migration

Growth of automobile tourism

Boom of roadside commerce and suburban sprawl

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Decline1960s - 1985

Increased traffic

Faster automobiles

Construction of EisenhowerInterstate System

Route 66 decommissioned in 1985

(replaced by 5 interstates)

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Defied grid system, was not a coast-to-coasthighway

Shortest all-weather highway

linking Chicago to LA

Building of a myth/legend

What made Route 66 different

from other highways?

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Books/Film -Grapes of Wrath

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Television Tod, Buz, and the corvette

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Lesser known storiesLesser known stories

Layers of historyLayers of history

Bloody 66Bloody 66Road of FlightRoad of Flight

SegregationSegregation

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Public Concern/Action

1985 - present

By-passed towns decline

Route 66 advocacy groups organize

85% still driveable, placement of historic Route 66 signs

Congress passes Route 66 Corridor Preservation Act in 1999

National Park Service preservation program established in 2001(sunsets in 2009)

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Focused on preservation of transportation-relatedproperties such as motels, gas stations, cafes, road

segments, and cultural landscapes that existed duringthe period of significance between 1926 and 1970

Provides technical assistance and cost-share grantsfor the most significant and representative historicresources along Route 66

Works with partners in setting priorities for thepreservation of historic resources

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Cafes/Restaurants

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Motels

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Gas Stations / Garages

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Road Segments and AssociatedFeatures

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

The Secretary (of Interior) shall assist in the preservationof the Route 66 corridor in a manner that is consistent

with the idiosyncratic nature of the Route 66 corridor

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

The Act also states:

The Secretary (of Interior) shall develop a program of

technical assistance in the preservation and interpretationof the corridor.

C

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Why interpretation?

Through interpretation comes understanding

Through understanding comes appreciation

Through appreciation comes stewardship

R 66 C id P i P

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

R 66 C id P i P

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

Interpretive media (museums, waysides, brochures, etc.) serveas a catalyst to provide interpretive opportunities for the visitor

R t 66 C id P ti P

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

The Interpretive Process

Provide opportunities for the visitorto forge intellectual and emotional connectionsto the values inherent in the resource

R t 66 C id P ti P

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Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program

How?

Personal services guided tours, campfire talks, etc.

Non-personal services media: museum exhibitswayside exhibitsbrochuresmaps

films, DVDs, audio

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IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTINGIDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING

INTERPETIVE MEDIAINTERPETIVE MEDIA

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The resources of the road provide anThe resources of the road provide an

interpretive opportunityinterpretive opportunity

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Guidebooks/mapsGuidebooks/maps

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Visitor centers/rest stopsVisitor centers/rest stops

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Wayside exhibitsWayside exhibits

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Independent and city museumsIndependent and city museums

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Larger museumsLarger museums

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Other interpretive mediaOther interpretive media

newslettersnewsletters

MagazinesMagazinesVideo/DVDVideo/DVD

Use of the logoUse of the logo

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Signs/markers provide orientation to theSigns/markers provide orientation to the

interpretive opportunitiesinterpretive opportunities

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ANALYSIS OF EXISTINGANALYSIS OF EXISTING

INTERPRETATIONINTERPRETATIONPositive aspectsPositive aspects

mix of local & regionalmix of local & regional

perspectivesperspectives

authenticauthentic

unpredictableunpredictable

national andnational andinternational visitorsinternational visitors

ChallengesChallenges

comprehensivecomprehensive

planningplanning

communicationcommunication

conservationconservation

conditionsconditions exhibit/messageexhibit/message

developmentdevelopment

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Compile inventory of interpretive media

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Compile inventory of interpretive media

Create historic contexts

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Create historic contexts

State historic contextsState historic contexts

National historic contextsNational historic contexts

National Register nominationsNational Register nominations

National Register Travel ItineraryNational Register Travel Itinerary

Clearinghouse / technical assistance

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Clearinghouse / technical assistance

Resource guidesResource guides

List server groupsList server groups

Review of interpretive plans/brochuresReview of interpretive plans/brochures

Site visits at museums/waysidesSite visits at museums/waysides

Cost-share grants

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Cost share grants

ExamplesExamples::

Oral history projectOral history project

Northern ArizonaNorthern Arizona

University Route 66 theatreUniversity Route 66 theatre