The National Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that Rhys Martin of Tulsa, Oklahoma will be joining the National Trust as manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative starting July 29, 2024. Martin joins Amy Webb, who leads the Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative’s cross-Trust team. This initiative provides preservation grants, assistance and advocacy to help Route 66 tell a fuller American story as this storied Route approaches its Centennial anniversary in 2026.
Martin is no stranger to Route 66, having traveled the road from end-to-end, meeting with locals who are part of the Route 66 experience. His current volunteer professional affiliations include serving as the president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the chair of the State Route 66 Association Working Group for the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, a member of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, and an advisor to the non-profit Route 66 Alliance. Rhys is an accomplished photographer and a published author, including the 2018 book Lost Restaurants of Tulsa.
“The National Trust is thrilled to have Rhys join our staff,” notes Amy Webb, senior director of preservation programs, “Rhys brings a depth of knowledge of places and people on Route 66 that will be absolutely invaluable for our work as we provide preservation assistance, especially some of the lesser known places that reflect the full diversity of Route 66.”
In his new role, Rhys will lead outreach and engagement in communities along Route 66 as well as connecting sites with assistance to meet their needs and ensuring successful outcomes for Route 66 grants and advocacy efforts. “I am excited to merge my personal and professional interests with this new position which will enable me to have a full time focus on Route 66,” says Rhys Martin. “I look forward to continuing all of my volunteer Route 66 commitments in Oklahoma and the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership while taking on this new national role with the National Trust.”
The Preserve Route 66 Initiative is working to advocate for a permanent, federal National Historic Trail designation; provide grants and other assistance to legacy businesses, nonprofits and public agencies serving Route 66; and create a Route 66 GIS & Crowdsourcing campaign that includes an opportunity for the public to “Share Your Route 66 Story.”
For more information on the Preserve Route 66 Initiative or to share your Route 66 story, visit https://savingplaces.org/preserve-route-66.
Photo credit: Rhys Martin, Facebook.
