The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum (BSHC&M) has announced that it is a founding partner in the national Route 66 Archives and Research Collaboration (ARC), a part of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program of the National Park Service. Since 2001 the program has distributed $1.3 million in matching federal grants to preserve significant historic Route 66 properties, collect and preserve historical records and to support other Route 66 preservation initiatives along its 2,400 mile length.

The mission of the Route 66 ARC is to work cooperatively to collect, archive, and make accessible research materials to promote education, preservation, and management of the historic Route 66 corridor. BSHC&M qualifies as a founding partner of the Route 66 ARC based on its holdings on Route 66 and interest in their expansion, their willingness to commit staff and resources and make them available to the public.

Other founding partners include Illinois State Library, Missouri State University, University of Missouri, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma State University, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, University of New Mexico, Northern Arizona University and the Autry National Center. It is the intention of the founding partners to expand the collaboration through networking with other archival institutions with a vested interest in Route 66.

For more information on The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum, contact Patrick Richardson by sending an e-mail here or by phone at (620) 856-2385.

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