NMHM News:

A mural commemorating the Route 66 Centennial by New Mexico artist Molly Mendenhall will be unveiled Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at an opening reception in the lobby of the New Mexico History Museum (NMHM).

The artist will attend the event and talk about the mural painting process and her design. Visitors can take photos of the vibrant mural, “Mother Road Coming into Color,” which illustrates a transition from a sepia-washed and stippled (small dotted) 1930’s scene to a modern vision of Albuquerque coming into color in the distance.

Enjoy light refreshments provided by the Women’s Board of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation.

Admission is free to New Mexico residents.

The story of Route 66 in New Mexico is not a single narrative but includes many stories of resilience, reinvention, and the ongoing dialogue between progress and preservation. “Mother Road Coming into Color” celebrates not only the legacy of the highway but also the landscapes, communities, artists, and travelers whose stories helped define New Mexico’s identity.