Clinton, OK — Pat Smith, the longtime director of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, is retiring after 30 years of leading the museum.

Smith has lived in Custer County for her entire life. She started working at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in April 1991, when the site was known as the Western Trails Museum. Three months later, the Oklahoma Historical Society took over the site. Smith was the acting supervisor when the museum transitioned to its present-day name, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum.

In 1995, Smith was promoted to director of the museum. Since then, she has been responsible for the daily operations of the museum, including overseeing the gift shop, fundraising, supervising staff and volunteers, welcoming thousands of visitors each year, and more. Today the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum continues to tell the story of the nation’s most revered highway, which opened in 1926.

“After 30 years of welcoming visitors from across the country, Pat Smith is moving to her next chapter,” said Chantry Banks, director of museums and historic sites for the OHS. “Pat has become a Route 66 expert, and we look forward to seeing her in 2026 as we celebrate the centennial of the Mother Road.”

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.

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