National Road Center receives grant
The Federal Highway Administration has announced that a grant of $101,750 has been awarded to the National Road Interpretive Center in Vandalia, Illinois. The project will allow the Illinois National Road Association to develop a prime Interpretive Center that will house exhibit materials, an interpretive guide and planning materials.
Vandalia was the original terminus of the Historic National Road. Since the early 1800s, the National Road led pioneers to the untamed wilderness of the territories west of the Allegheny Mountains. Today, the Road stretches through six states from Baltimore, Maryland, to the Mississippi River. In Illinois, the National Road is a federal Scenic Byway and All American Road.
As noted in the grant award letter, “The Interpretive Center will greatly assist the Illinois National Road Association to fulfill its mission “to stimulate the economy of the National Road Heritage Corridor by promoting and preserving our cultural and historic resources in order to increase Heritage Tourism. The critical role the National Road played in westward expansion will be explained and the link between the Road and the Conestoga wagon will also be highlighted.”
jo kathmann, President and CEO of the Tourism Bureau Southwestern Illinois, said, “We congratulate Vandalia and the National Road Association for receiving this grant. Tourism in our region is a strong economic development driver, and any time we can bring more travelers to the area, everyone benefits. A facility like the Interpretive Center makes it easier for visitors to discover the history, attractions, lodging, eateries and shopping available in Southwestern Illinois.”