Springfield Museum Celebrates Black History Along Route 66

Route 66 is well-known as the historic highway that stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles. For many people, the road meant opportunity. But for African Americans in the early part of the 20th century, that opportunity—and their safety—depended on trusted connections along the way.  

A museum and shop in downtown Springfield aims to highlight the contributions of Black entrepreneurs along Route 66 and in Springfield more generally. The Route History museum opened earlier this year. We spoke with the museum's vice president, Stacy Grundy.