Atlanta Public Museum

06/17/2026

For those who have been waiting, we have a Winner in our Route 66 100th Anniversary Gingerbread Contest.

** Susan Rogers with My Heart's in Dixie on Rt. 66 **

Susan, a former Waynesville native, who now calls O'Fallon, IL home WOWWED the judges with her gingerbread structure representing the Original Dixie Truckers Stop in McLean.

The intricate detail - there are treads on the tires! - was absolutely mindboggling!

The picture below just doesn't do it justice - you have to see it to believe it.

As for the other winners - - we can't decide, so we are leaving it up to the public to declare a winner.

Every person who comes to the Museum will receive a ticket to place in the bucket next to the gingerbread structure you think is the best. At the end of the display period (July 31), the bucket with the most tickets will be our 2nd place winner and our 3rd place winner.

So, help us out! Select the winners!!

And for those asking why so few entries -- we'll talk about that soon..... there was a very good reason for it, and you won't be surprised when you hear it.

Videos coming soon - as soon as I can figure out how to get them from my phone to the laptop.... any techie help would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Yesterday, the Atlanta Public Museum was so excited to accept delivery of this year's entries for the Route 66 100th Anniversary Gingerbread competition.

Stay tuned for interviews from some of our competitors as they tell us a little bit about their entries, the challenges of Gingerbreading in the Summer and more!

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 17th.

Below is Mary Yeagle's entry. Representing Atlanta in the bottom right-hand corner is the Muffler Man from the AGM.

06/10/2026

Pop into the Museum -- Open NOW until 7 PM for a Heartland Community College Open House. Get your college knowledge!!

114 SW Arch Street * Atlanta.

06/10/2026

Due to staffing conflicts, the Museum will be CLOSED on Thursday, June 11th.

We will be back Open on Friday, June 12th at 10 AM.

Thank you for your understanding!

06/06/2026

Our FREE Summer Series of Programs at the Museum are beginning!!

June 10, Wednesday, 5 PM - 7 PM - Heartland College Application Night
* Stop by and see what exciting new programs Heartland Community College has to offer for the upcoming Fall Semester. Sign-up for classes, explore different career options, learn about financial aid, or just check out what HCC is all about. Open to anyone and everyone.

June 27, Saturday, 1:30 - 3:30 PM - Heirloom Family Recipies
* Join Catherine Lambrecht for an engaging afternoon exploring Recipe History, where she shares the fascinating histories behind some of Illinois' award-winning recipes.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a selection of these recipes and receive a handout featuring the Top 10 recipes from the Family Heirloom Recipes from the IL State Fair cookbook. Her book, with the first 10 year's of winning recipes, will also be available for purchase.

To attend, please visit our webpage, https://atlantamuseum.org and click on the Special Events tab. In the dropdown menu, click Calendar of Events, and the link on June 27th. Select RSVP and complete the name/email and submit. It's that easy to secure your spot for this tasty and tantalizing program.

Seating limit is 35.

And our next Special Exhibit - Opening June 18th.... more to come

Our permanent exhibits house artifacts that capture the essence of Atlanta's history, offering a glimpse into the traditions and stories that define our community.

06/04/2026

HOT ROD POWER TOUR - UPDATE

For those who love the cool cars of yesteryear, you need to get ready because they are COMING TO ATLANTA!!!

What: 2026 Hot Rod Power

When: Wednesday, June 10th

Time: All Day

How Many: 0 - 6,000 vehicles - WHAT????

Here's how it works ~

* Every day of the Tour, the group has a designated route they are to follow to end up at the designated stop for the night.

* Every day, there are different locations highlighted as possible Attractions to See", with definitive notations how "off the route" they have to go.

* Atlanta is the 1st "Attraction to See" on Day 3, as they travel from Rantoul (via IL 136) to Historic Route 66 at McLean and onward to St. Louis.

* They do not have to stop but listed as 0.2 mi. off the route is the American Giant Museum as a stop.

So, if they choose, they can pull off and venture downtown to check out Atlanta. Hence the 0 - to 6,000 possibilty.

If you don't want to take a chance of missing them, then we suggest setting up your chairs* along Route 66 as they travel along the outskirts of town -- have a beverage at the 217 and hang out in the parking lot, buy some snacks at Casey's or the DG and sit in the grassy area by the DG or grab a Blizzard from DQ and hang out there.... but you definitely don't want to miss the parade of Hot Rods as they come through - it's a once in a lifetime free show.

For information, check out the link below.

* Please note, the Atlanta Public Museum is not endorsing one business over another, nor have we asked these folks if you can sit in their parking lot or grassy area. Please be respectful if they ask you to relocate or to move to an area of greater safety.

The 2026 HOT ROD Power Tour rolls along historic Route 66 from Illinois to Oklahoma, June 8–12, 2026, celebrating the highway’s 100th anniversary. See all dates, locations, and event details for the world’s largest rolling automotive festival.

06/04/2026

Who's ready for BINGO!!

The packets of money are sealed ~ we just need you to kick off tonight's game.

Doors open at 6 PM - calling begins at 6:30 PM.

** $25 entry for 6 cards plays ALL NIGHT **

See you there!

06/03/2026

Folks ~ we need more entries for our Christmas in July event at the Atlanta Public Museum.

It's easy . . . Make a gingerbread structure no bigger than 24" x 24" x 24" that represents something you would find along Route 66 - from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA....

It's FREE to enter and we are awarding prize $$$.

The entry date has been extended - just send us an email that you are participating and we'll assign you an entry number.

Entries must be dropped off June 13th and 14th at the Atlanta Public Museum

Here's a flyer to check out....