Documentarian and exhibit founder Katrina Parks talks about her experience making a documentary series about Route 66 and some of the characters she met along the way in this conversation with KC Counts. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit is in New Mexico. Here is a transcript of their conversation:
KC Counts:
Let me ask you first, Katrina, to tell us just a little bit about your documentary about Route 66 and some of the characters involved.
Katrina Parks:
Great. So the film series is called “Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road”. It's been broadcast through American Public Television, and it's actually a three-part series. I set out to make a one-hour documentary, and the project expanded because I met so many interesting people. It grew out, you know, initially from my “Harvey Girls” documentary, which was about one of the first all-female American labor forces. And I discovered as I was interviewing the later Harvey Girls that some of them, when the railroad went into decline, you know, forged interesting lives for themselves along Route 66. And so I wanted to see if there were ways women's lives had been impacted beyond kind of the mom-and-pop businesses and waitresses that we typically think about when we when we about Route 66 and well because while that's part of the story, it's not the only story; and I was not disappointed. Route 66 really impacted women's lives, but also was shaped by them in many different ways. So you have anthropologists, photographers, lots of creative women, remarkable entrepreneurs, women engaged in wartime industries. Those are just some of the stories that I uncovered, and that kind of kept me going on this project.
KC Counts:
Well, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. And so now you can maybe tell us a little bit about the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit and what people can expect.
Katrina Parks:
We'll be in Albuquerque at the Wheels Museum, May 6th and 7th. And we're going to be in Gallup after that, May 9th through December 31st, with a short weekend journey at the end of August at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.
KC Counts:
And tell us a little bit about what people will see and experience if they visit.
Katrina Parks:
Well, we were interested in doing something that would be, you know, remarkably different from making a film. Obviously, you know, when you watch a film, it can be kind of a passive experience. So we really tried to make this history very engaging. We have, and for an all-ages audience, we have - the exhibit format is 22 panels, and the lower half of each panel is really designed for youth. The kids who come to the exhibit get a small, what we call Route 66 passport book, and they are invited to go through the exhibit looking for clues, information. They're invited to do things like draw in their passport book. And from what we've seen, kids really love it. And then we also have some of the oral histories that were in the film series are interspersed throughout the exhibit as well, and people can stop and listen and watch them. So it's a great thing for the whole family. We also are working with each venue to bring in other things, like we have panelists at all of the events coming to kind of dive into different topics. We also have musicians and usually there's a food component as well.
KC Counts:
Yeah, got to be food. You mentioned passports. And that reminded me to remind our listeners that “Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road” is available on PBS Passport. So for any of our members, you would have access to that and can go back and watch it if you didn't the first time around. Or maybe the 100th anniversary is a good time to take it in once again. Katrina, what are the stories that stick out to you, the ones that you think about over and over again since creating your film.
Katrina Parks:
Well, there are a number of stories. I think one of the first ones I would mention is, of course, why we called Route 66 the Mother Road. Well, Dorothea Lange, who I'm sure many of your listeners are familiar with, traveled Route 66 during the Great Depression, documenting the plight of families that were fleeing from states like Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico. And they had, because of, you know, drought and economic hardship, they were taking this road looking looking for greener pastures in California, which they did not always find, of course, and many families ended up traveling in the reverse direction back after a short time on the West Coast. But John Steinbeck actually looked at her photos, and that is was part of his impetus, especially the iconic photograph Migrant Mother for his calling Route 66 the Mother Road. And then I also think of someone like Alberta Ellis. Forty-four out of, I think it's 89 counties along Route 66 were segregated communities. So Alberta Ellis, living in Springfield, Missouri, which iscalled the birthplace of Route 66; she was a Black woman, and she herself experienced, you know, danger and hostility traveling Route 66. And so she founded a hotel called Alberta's Hotel in Springfield, Missouri, that served Black travelers. And there were actually, you know, a number of Black women entrepreneurs who really stepped up to this time in American history and serve people who would otherwise not be served. So I found their stories particularly inspiring.
KC Counts:
And will you be traveling along with the museum the whole way?
Katrina Parks:
Yes, I will be. Myself and my, I have a wonderful colleague here, Carrie Christman, who is an educator and she designed educational activities we have for kids. So she'll be with me in New Mexico.
KC Counts:
And what's next for you once the 100th anniversary of Route 66 has passed.
Katrina Parks:
Well, we really want to turn this into a national exhibit, and we are certainly getting interest from other states along Route 66. So that's kind of our next step is to make one exhibit that incorporates the whole Mother Road And we'd like to tour it in the US, but also take it international. Because I'm sure as your listeners know, Route 66 is an iconic symbol that draws many people from all over the world to small towns in America every year.
KC Counts:
Can you say what's unique about the stretch of road that runs through New Mexico?
Katrina Parks:
Oh, well, of course, I think of La Bajada in Santa Fe. I love those old archival pictures of the cars, you know, these Tin Lizzies winding up the hill and stories of them getting stuck on the hill. So, I think that definitely is something that I think about. And also, Gallup, too. I think there's so many iconic businesses that I associate, some of which are no longer here, like El Navajo Hotel. But there's still other amazing businesses thriving in Gallup today. I think of Richardson's Trading Post and others. So yeah, I guess I think neon when I think Route 66. I also think of the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, New Mexico with its iconic signage.
KC Counts:
And of course, back to the food.
Katrina Parks:
Yes. Yum.
KC Counts:
All right. Well, Katrina, thank you so much for telling us about it. Is there anything else that you think listeners should know that I haven't asked you about?
Katrina Parks:
Well, one thing I like, you know, one iconic pop cultural culture reference to Route 66, of course, is the song, the Bobby Troupe song performed by Nat King Cole. And I think it's interesting that it was actually his wife, Cindy, who came up with that line, “get your kicks on Route 66” as they were driving across the country post-World War II. And he was thinking of composing a song And I think maybe he even said maybe it was going to be about I-40 or something like that.
KC Counts:
Just not the same magic.
Katrina Parks:
Yeah.
KC Counts:
And it's nice because 100 years later in 2026, it also rhymes.
Katrina Parks:
Yes, it is nice. And she always thought she should get a songwriting credit, but of course she didn't.
KC Counts:
Well, so nice talking to you and where to go for more information?
Katrina Parks:
Route66exhibit.com.
KC Counts:
All right, have a great day and enjoy the trip.
Katrina Parks:
Thanks, you too.
And here is a link to the website for more information.
