Wonders on Wheels

Route 66 Exhibition Visits New Mexico State Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 06, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT


Mobile Museum Celebrates Road Trips at the New Mexico State Fair

 

(Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sept. 6, 2011)—The Van of Enchantment, a statewide museum outreach vehicle operated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, will present Road Trips, a free traveling exhibition, September 21-25 from 10:00am – 6:00pm Wednesday through Saturday and 10:00am – 3:00pm Sunday at the New Mexico State Fair located at the Expo New Mexico Fair Grounds.

A mobile museum, the Van of Enchantment is a converted RV that tours New Mexico carrying exhibitions and educational material from the collections of the state museums and monuments.  In addition to cabinets and drawers filled with artifacts, the Van of Enchantment brings its contents to life with complementary activities and audio-visual programs.  There is never an admission fee for the Van of Enchantment.

The Van of Enchantment’s current exhibition, Road Trips, is the product of a partnership between New Mexico Department of Transportation and two divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs; The New Mexico History Museum and the Statewide Outreach Department.  The final exhibit in the History of Transportation in New Mexico series, Road Trips explores the exciting history of Route 66 and the impact of the highways and interstate system on culture and day to day life in New Mexico.  Beautiful flip books take the visitor into the modern era exploring the engineering feat of the “Big I” and breathtaking scenery along New Mexico’s other historic byways.

Our hands-on exhibit will allow visitors to touch authentic and replica artifacts.  Test your Route 66 knowledge with our New Mexico cities postcard quiz.  The camera counter takes you back to the days before cell phone cameras when the Brownie camera was popularizing the snapshot.  Don an apron and explore our recreated diner.  At our activity table, younger visitors can design their own postcards and use maps to help us find all the cities in Bobby Troup’s classic song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.”

We look forward to seeing you on the Van of Enchantment at the New Mexico State Fair September 21-25, and tell all your friends.  See you there.

Media Contact:

Kimberly Mann

Grant Coordinator

kimberly.mann@state.nm.us

505-476-1164

 

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A museum on wheels, the Van of Enchantment is a converted RV that tours New Mexico carrying artifacts and materials from the state museums and monuments.  The Van of Enchantment brings its contents to life with dynamic activities designed carefully for each event.  The Van is one of several outreach programs at the Museum Services Division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.  The Museum Services Division’s statewide outreach mission for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs is to promote public awareness of the role of the State of New Mexico’s museums and monuments as stewards of the state’s cultural heritage, and to create an ongoing relationship between the state museums and monuments with the people of New Mexico. 

 



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