Preserve America Youth Summit Celebrates Route 66 Centennial in Arizona
As Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, a special event is set to commemorate its rich history and lasting impact. From June 2 to 5, 2025, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Preserve Route 66” initiative, alongside the HOPE Crew, the Arizona Route 66 Association, and the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), will host the Preserve America Youth Summit in northern Arizona.
This year’s summit will spotlight the historical significance of Route 66 in the context of local development and tourism, highlighting iconic sites such as Homolovi State Park in Winslow and Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff. The program aims to address preservation challenges and discover new interpretive opportunities, with a particular focus on engaging future leaders with these valuable sites.
Forty-five middle and high school students and teachers, selected through a competitive application process, will participate in this no-cost event. On Tuesday, June 3, from 8 to 9 a.m., attendees will explore Homolovi State Park, a key research center for studying the migration period of the Hopi people from the 1200s to the late 1300s. The park offers exhibits detailing the archaeology of Homolovi’s ancient inhabitants and features the Winslow-Homolovi Observatory, camping sites, and hiking trails that reveal petroglyphs and archaeological landmarks.
The following day, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will visit the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park in Flagstaff. Built in 1904, this Arts and Crafts style mansion was the residence of the Riordan brothers, influential figures in the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company. Their contributions to the Flagstaff community included establishing educational institutions such as the Normal School, now Northern Arizona University, and the creation of Coconino County with Flagstaff as the county seat.
A town hall meeting will conclude the Youth Summit on Thursday, June 5, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Assembly Hall at the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. This session will feature a moderated Q&A with students addressing topics they’ve explored during the summit. Panelists will include national and local representatives from government, public lands, and preservation organizations, attending both in person and virtually.
The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, a division of Arizona State Parks and Trails, collaborates with governments, state and federal agencies, tribes, and the public to identify and safeguard historic and archaeological properties that hold significance for communities across Arizona and the nation.
For more information about the Centennial of Route 66 Youth Summit, visit PreserverationYouthSummit.org.
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