National Trust for Historic Preservation collects Route 66 stories. See how to share yours

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is looking for help celebrating the history of The Mother Road.

The trust launched its new, "Preserve Route 66: Share Your Story" campaign this month. Throughout the 18-month long campaign, people are encouraged to share stories and photos from their time along Route 66. The campaign aims to gather 2,026 different stories in time for The Mother Road's centennial in 2026.

Community members, tourists, historians and Route 66 enthusiasts are encouraged to submit their stories and photos on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website at savingplaces.org/your-route66-story. There is not a limit on the number of submissions one person can make and a deadline has yet to be set.

Stories can be personal or about well-known places or businesses, including ones that are operating today or no longer open. Submissions do not need to be exactly on the current or former Route 66.

More: Route 66 travel log intertwines history and a family's exploration of Americana

"If you think it has a connection to Route 66, so do we," the National Trust for Historic Preservation website states.

As of Friday, there were four submissions that represent the state of Missouri, including Bernie's Bar & Grill in Avilla, Bourbon Cafe and Coffee Saloon in Bourbon, Spencer Station in Spencer and Devil's Elbow Bridge in Devil's Elbow.

Once the campaign closes, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will create an interactive online map with the stories and photos. In addition to public submissions, the map will showcase how Route 66 has changed over the past 100 years.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: National Trust for Historic Preservation collecting Route 66 stories