Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center

10/22/2026

Jerri and JD really added some class to the parking lot today! What a GREAT ride! Enjoy!

10/22/2026

This couple from Texas is spending their honeymoon traveling Route 66. What could be better than that!?!! Safe travels and here is to a long and happy life together! Cheers!

10/22/2026

DON’T FORGET!!! Saturday from 10 to 2!!!

Cindy Ladage will be at the Museum on Saturday, October 24th from 10 to 2 for a book signing. We are so excited! Look forward to seeing you then!

Unique Eats & Eateries of Illinois Celebrates the Places, Food, and Stories That Make Illinois Special

A new book celebrating the unique food and dining experiences found throughout the Prairie State was released October 1. Unique Eats & Eateries of Illinois, written by Cindy Ladage and Carrie Steinweg, takes readers on a culinary journey across Illinois—from sophisticated dining rooms nestled among the skyscrapers of Chicago to tiny eateries tucked away in rural and Route 66 communities like Litchfield. The book is in part a celebration of Route 66’s 100th anniversary.

Illinois offers an incredible diversity of cuisines and dining experiences, and this book explores the establishments, people, and stories that make them memorable. In the Litchfield area, the book highlights the historic Ariston the oldest continuously running diner along Route 66. Other Route 66 restaurants along the Mother road like the Cozy Dog Drive In, Motorheads and Rhea’s Chicken Basket also highlight this unique history. The book shares the stories of the people and places behind the restaurants and highlights what makes them special. Come to the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center from 10:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m. on October, 24, 2026 to meet the author and get a signed copy of this newly released book profiling a few of our Illinois Route 66 treasures.

10/20/2026

We enjoyed meeting this couple from Brazil. Safe travels, my friends!

10/18/2026

We had a surprise visit from the National Ms. Route 66 Centennial Queen today. How cool is that???!! She is pictured here with our President Carol Sneed and volunteer Debbie Short. You never know who will stop by the museum….that’s one of the things that makes volunteering at the museum so fun!

10/17/2026

This couple from Pennsylvania is traveling Route 66 in a purple PT Cruiser. They traveled Rt 66 in 2011 in a Corvette. Rumor is that this ride is a little more comfortable ….

10/17/2026

These gals from Rantoul spent a lot of time with us today. We sure enjoyed getting to meet them!

10/17/2026

These friends since college, one living in Phoenix and the other in Kansas City, are traveling Route 66 together. Lovely duo!

10/13/2026

This couple from Romania
traveled Route 66 three years ago, and purchased these shirts. They came back to visit us again and we were so happy to see them! Safe travels, friends!

10/12/2026

The second Litchfield episode of the podcast “Everything is a Primary Source” has arrived. It is a terrific interview with Danell Fogle of the Briar Rose. Enjoy!

America at 250 Episode 15: "Picking through the Past: The Briar Ros...