Albuquerque Museum takes a road trip along The Other Route 66

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – For many people, Route 66 conjures images of classic cars, roadside diners and the nostalgia of the open road. But a new exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum invites visitors to look beyond those familiar images and discover a more complex history.

The Other Route 66: 100 Years of People, Identity, and Place in Albuquerque examines the iconic highway through the experiences of the people who lived, worked and traveled along it. Curated by Head Curator and Curator of History Alicia Romero, the exhibition coincides with the Route 66 centennial and offers a fresh perspective on one of America’s most famous roads.

“We’ve told the 1950s story. That’s pretty nostalgic, and I think it’s great, but I wanted to tell other stories. I wanted to highlight other voices,” says Romero.

Rather than focusing solely on the national mythology surrounding Route 66, the exhibition centers on Albuquerque and the communities shaped by Central Avenue, which served as the city’s stretch of the historic highway.

“I think in some ways there’s a difference between Route 66 and Central Avenue,” says Romero. “In some ways Route 66 means something very different than Central for us in Albuquerque, and I wanted just to kind of highlight some of the contradictions of what is Route 66 versus what is Central Avenue.”

Those stories include perspectives often left out of traditional Route 66 histories. Romero explains that the exhibition features communities along East and West Central, including immigrant and refugee communities, the unhoused community and LGBTQ community members.

“My intention with including some of these communities is really giving ownership to everyone of Route 66,” says Romero. “Those are the voices that I’m hoping will be more amplified with this show.”

For Romero, who was born and raised in Albuquerque, researching the exhibition also changed the way she viewed the city’s history.

“Once I started to expand what I thought Route 66 was, then it just really opened up a whole other world to me,” says Romero. “It brought so many different people of all different backgrounds to our state, and I think there’s just a lot to learn about Route 66 beyond the traditional narratives.”

Romero hopes visitors leave the galleries with a broader understanding of the road’s legacy.

“We really want to challenge what they think of as Route 66 history,” says Romero. “I want people to come away thinking a little bit more critically about either the idea they have about Route 66 or just being more open-minded about other people’s experiences being included in that narrative.”

The exhibition extends beyond the gallery through a series of public programs made possible by support from the Mellon Foundation. The schedule includes lectures, panel discussions, live music and a Route 66 dance party, offering visitors additional opportunities to explore the many histories connected to the Mother Road.

“There are over 400 objects, historic photos, contemporary photos, works of art,” says Romero. “There’s so many things to see, and just come prepared to spend some time, and if you can’t spend all the time looking at everything, come back.”

The Other Route 66: 100 Years of People, Identity, and Place in Albuquerque is on view at the Albuquerque Museum through Jan. 3, 2027. The exhibition features more than 400 objects, photographs and works of art exploring Albuquerque’s relationship with Route 66. A full schedule of public programs, including lectures, panel discussions, music and special events will be offered throughout the exhibition’s run and can be found on the Albuquerque Museum’s website.