Where History Meets the Road traces the impact of Route 66 and the evolution of “roadside culture” along Colorado Boulevard. By examining the Boulevard as both a transportation corridor and cultural symbol, it becomes clear that Route 66 themes – mobility, commerce, nostalgia, and reinvention – have had a lasting impact on Pasadena. Interpretive text, memorabilia, and photographs will illustrate how this historic corridor shaped—and continues to shape—Pasadena’s urban landscape, economic activity, and historic preservation.

PMH invited its local partner, Pasadena Heritage, to add a contemporary perspective to the exhibition by presenting four new oral histories that will bring lived experiences along Colorado Boulevard to life. 

The Claremont Graduate University’s Center for Humanities in Practice (CHIP) Route 66 Pathway Project is also featured in the exhibition. Led by Project Founder and Director John Bohn in partnership with CHIP Founder and Director Dr. Joshua Goode, the Pathway Project was created in collaboration with Route 66 communities nationwide as part of the centennial. Inspired by National Old Trails Road map booklets produced by the Southern California Automobile Association in 1915, the project unfolds across a 70-foot-long, five-foot-high canvas scroll presenting a richly illustrated and meticulously researched narrative of the historic route—from Santa Monica’s Pacific coastline to Needles at California’s eastern border—blending documented history with interpretive storytelling.