The Route 66 Museum Housed in a Library 🚗✨

Driving east all the way from the western US, I thought I’d miss out on many classic memories of Route 66—until I stumbled upon this "Routine 66 Museum" in Lebanon, Missouri. Tucked inside the Lebanon‑Laclede County Library, it’s small but full of surprises. After visiting, I was instantly won over by its "small yet exquisite" sincerity, which instantly awakened my nostalgic feelings for America’s "Mother Road." I was a little surprised when I first found the museum entrance: it doesn’t have an independent storefront, but is integrated with the library. However, pushing the door open felt like traveling to another time and space. Although the entire exhibition hall is compact, every inch of space is carefully arranged, filled with a strong retro atmosphere 😍: Right at the entrance, you’ll see a 1950s-style gas station scene: red-and-white gas pumps, vintage price signs, old advertising posters plastered on the walls, and even the gas station attendant’s uniform is perfectly replicated. It feels like someone will come over and ask "How much gas do you need?" in the next second; The breakfast diner setup next to it is even more amazing: wooden booths, a neon "Diner" sign, vintage enamel plates and milkshake cups on the table, and even old country songs playing on the radio in a loop. Sitting down, you can instantly imagine the lively scene of "truck drivers stopping for breakfast and chatting about their journeys"; The exhibition area also displays several vintage cars, their bodies polished to a shine. Some still retain their old license plates and stickers—from classic vintage cars to road trip-specific campers, each one looks like it drove out of an old movie. Every random photo taken here is an American retro blockbuster 📸; The walls are covered with historical photos of Route 66: busy road sections with streams of cars back in the day, local residents setting up stalls by the road, old photos of travelers hitchhiking, and text panels with "road memories" told by locals. Every line is filled with deep affection for the "Mother Road." Wandering slowly through the museum, it feels less like visiting an exhibition and more like an "immersive experience" of Route 66’s golden age—stories of freedom, adventure, and encounters come to life through these details. Compared to the grandeur of large museums, the treasure of this small museum lies in its "down-to-earth" charm. Every exhibit feels warm, making you can’t help but slow down and savor the tenderness of the "old road" carefully. If your Route 66 road trip passes through Lebanon, don’t miss this hidden gem in the library! You don’t need to set aside too much time—half an hour is enough to explore it thoroughly, but this sense of nostalgia will stay with you for a long time～ #PhotoWorthyExhibition #Route66 #NostalgicTravel #AmericanRetro #Route66RoadTrip #USRoadTrip #USTravel