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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm

Route History

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Route History, History Museum, 737 E. Cook Street, Springfield, IL.
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Route History is a space to experience and learn about the tragedy, resilience, and excellence of Black people along the Historic Route 66 highway and in the city of Springfield Illinois.

06/01/2026

Its African American Music Appreciation Month!

June is a big month at Route History, because so many Black musicians have made their way through Route 66. Make sure you're following us on here to join us on this musical journey through route history.

You can celebrate with us in person when you book your tour at www.routehistory.net

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Memorial Day!

Today we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. Because of their courage and dedication, we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

We Remember. We Honor. We Thank. 🙏

Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day. Take a moment today to reflect on those who served and the families who carry on their legacy. ❤️🤍💙

05/11/2026

Annie Malone was more than a beauty pioneer — she was a visionary who created opportunity, empowerment, and community during a time of segregation and limited access for Black Americans.

Born in 1869 in Metropolis, Annie Malone became one of America’s first Black female millionaires after building a successful beauty and cosmetic empire centered around products designed specifically for Black women. Through her Poro System, tens of thousands of women were trained in beauty culture and entrepreneurship, helping many achieve financial independence and economic stability. Among her most notable students were Madam C. J. Walker and even legendary musician Chuck Berry.

In the 1930s, Malone relocated her business from St. Louis to Chicago, where Poro College operated as a cosmetology school, beauty product factory, and training center. It also became a safe and welcoming space for Black travelers during segregation and was proudly listed in the The Negro Motorist Green Book as a tourist home.

Beyond beauty, Poro College served as a cultural and business hub where Black organizations and leaders could gather when Jim Crow laws denied access to many public spaces. Annie Malone’s legacy lives on through the generations she inspired, empowered, and uplifted through education, business, and community support. ✨

05/06/2026

Did you know that long before social media reviews and GPS, black travelers relied on trusted places like Cansler’s Lounge to find safety, community and hospitality on the road? Located in Springfield, Illinois, this Black-owned tavern earned its place in the Black Motorist Green Book during the Jim Crow era, serving as a welcoming stop for travelers navigating Route 66 and segregation in America.

Businesses like Cansler’s Lounge were more than nightlife spots, they were symbols of resilience, culture, and connection within Springfield’s Black community.

Visit Route History Museum to explore more stories that helped shape Springfield’s rich Black history and Route 66 legacy.

05/04/2026

Victor Hugo Green turned survival into a roadmap for Black freedom on the open road.

In 1926, as Route 66 promised “mobility for all,” Black travelers navigating Jim Crow and sundown towns faced a very different reality. Victor’s Negro Motorist Green Book (1936–1964) became an essential guide helping Black families safely find food, lodging, gas, and dignity across the country.

Springfield’s Central East neighborhood was one of those crucial stops. At its height, as many as 22 Springfield businesses, hotels, private homes, gas stations, and restaurants were listed in the Green Book, offering refuge and welcome to Black motorists along historic Route 66.

Today, we honor Victor Hugo Green and his Black-owned businesses that made Springfield a lifeline proving that even in the face of segregation, community created safety, opportunity, and movement.

04/29/2026

Thank you to our recent visitors for coming to experience the rich history of Historic Route 66 and Springfield Illinois! ✨

We love welcoming visitors from near and far to experience history in a whole new way! Thank you to everyone who recently stopped by Route History Museum and immersed themselves in the stories, culture, and innovation behind our Virtual Reality experiences.

Your support helps us continue preserving and sharing this rich history in a modern and unforgettable way.

Come visit us and be part of history!

04/24/2026

This National Minority Health Month, we honor the trailblazers across Illinois who paved the way for a more inclusive and innovative future in medicine.

Because of pioneers like Dr. Percy Julian, Dr. Edwin Lee, Dr. Leonidas Berry, Dr. D. E. Webster, and so many more, generations of Black medical professionals have been empowered to lead, heal, and make history. Their stories remind us that progress is built on courage, resilience, and vision.

Discover more inspiring stories through Route History Museum’s immersive experiences and educational storytelling.

04/22/2026

Route History honors Dr. D. E. Webster, Springfield’s first Black dentist and a true history maker, for National Minority Health Month! As a World War I veteran who began his practice in Springfield in 1927, Dr. Webster not only provided care in a segregated health system but also emerged as a civic leader, serving as president of the local NAACP chapter and mentoring young Black professionals. His life along Illinois’ Route 66 corridor reminds us that Black health professionals have long been anchors of both care and community power, opening doors to better health and greater opportunity for generations to come.

Discover more stories like Dr. Webster’s through our immersive VR experiences.

04/20/2026

Did you know that Springfield’s medical community looks the way it does today in part because of Dr. Edwin Lee?

From helping bring the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to Springfield, to building the Lee Medical Building creating a safe space where Black doctors and dentists could practice without fear of discrimination Dr. Lee didn’t just practice medicine… he changed the system.

A Morehouse and Meharry graduate and WWII veteran, his impact reached far beyond healthcare. He served as president of the Springfield School Board and the Springfield Urban League, helped found Peoples National Bank and the Sangamon State University Foundation, and served on the national board of directors of the NAACP.

Because of his vision, Springfield became a destination for talented healthcare professionals and a stronger, more equitable community. 💜

04/17/2026

🧠 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE! 🧠 Which Illinois innovator helped develop life-saving treatments using plant-based compounds? Drop your answer below — A, B, or C! 👇🏾

Address

737 E. Cook Street
Springfield, IL
62703

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

(217) 503-4129

Website

http://www.routehistory.net/, https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3AdU3xHNT2Su6puTZveecA#/registration

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