Museum of Route 66 Lincoln Daily News June/July 2026 Page 67 Saturday, July 11, 2026, was a special day in the city of Lincoln. The Museum of Route 66 officially opened to the world, and the turnout for that first official day was tremendous. The crowd was there and taking in the sights by shortly after 10 a.m. and a large crowd was on hand for the ribbon cutting event that was then held at 11 a.m. Front and center behind the ribbon was City of Lincoln Director of Tourism Scott McCoy, Tourism Assistant Lexie Groves, and Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch. Joining them behind the ribbon was the Miss Route 66 USA Eastern Ambassador Jessica Anderson, Renee Radtke representing Senator Sally Turner, Logan County Tourism Director Wanda Lee Rohlfs, LCTB Board President Molly Pickering, former alderpersons Joni Tibbs and David Sanders, and city of Lincoln Administrative Assistant Ashely Metelko. Lincoln Alderpersons behind the ribbon included Kevin Bateman, Tim Becke, Dennis Clemmons, Robin McClallen, Rhonda O’Donahue, Steve Parrott, and city Treasurer Chuck Conzo. On hand representing the Logan County Board were Lance Conahan and Kevin Knauer. McCoy also introduced and invited project contractors and major donors to join the group behind the ribbon. He acknowledged the following people: Mark Cline, John and Darlene Ruh, Bob Duvall, Jim Oskam, Scott Lindley, Brad Matthews Construction, Hi-AN Construction, Brandy Painting and Construction, Tarter Brothers, Carpet House, Royce Scales Cleaning and floor Waxing, Sherwin Williams, Hot Frog Designs, and Lincoln Printers. As part of his introduction of all the donors and contractors, McCoy spoke about how it takes a huge network of people to build a project the size of the museum. He said many would remember that the building that houses the museum was not all that long ago a bank. He said the transformation was due to all the hard work of those involved in the project. McCoy also acknowledged and asked to come to the ribbon Terri “Nanna” McEntire, Lexie Groves’ grandmother, saying that Terri had been an amazing, hardworking volunteer and supporter of all the efforts at the museum. The ribbon cutting was being steered along by Lincoln Daily News. Nila Smith took the microphone and offered up one more comment
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