Route 66 Museum Pulling Into Sapulpa

Next year there will be a new landmark along the highway in Sapulpa, a museum dedicated to the experience of driving Route 66.

Friday, June 12th 2015, 10:48 pm

By: News On 6


A dream is becoming a reality for a group of passionate Route 66 supporters.

Next year there will be a new landmark along the highway in Sapulpa, a museum dedicated to the experience of driving Route 66.

To call Richard Holmes a car enthusiast is a bit of an understatement.

A donated 1956 MGA race car will be raffled off in order to start raising money for the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum of which Richard is president of the board.

The 10,000-square foot tourist destination will be directly off the historic highway and boast a 66-foot tall gas pump out front which visitors will be able to climb.

“The city of Sapulpa has been so great to embrace it, and everyone has really been supportive," Richard said.

The city will lease the building - a former National Guard armory - to the museum for $1 a year, and it will be funded through private donations and grants.

"With all the excitement out there, I don't think funding it is gonna be a problem. I really don't," said Richard's wife, Lina, who will serve as executive director.

While she's on board now, Lina admitted rehabbing the old building into an auto museum wasn't exactly on her bucket list.

"He kind of dragged me into the car thing kicking and screaming, but now that he has brought me in, I'm happy and I'm right there with him," she said.

There will be a gift shop, kitchen, and an old-time soda fountain.

The paintings on the wall aren't going anywhere, with Richard pointing out the historic military element of route 66.

"There are pictures of convoys leaving Sapulpa on their way to Bristow for summer maneuvers," he said.

The back garage will serve as, just that, an interactive body shop experience for visitors.

"Everyone will have something to enjoy," Richard said.

They'll also have a chance to get an inside look at just how popular the iconic highway used to be for travelers looking for the true American experience.

The museum should be open by early 2016.

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