Author of new book on 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes holds first public promotion at museum
Elkhart County Historical Museum will host a Palm Sunday tornado book premiere at 1 p.m. May 14. Admission is free.
The book "The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana" by author Janis Thornton will be available for purchase at the event.
April 11, 1965, was unlike any other day in Indiana. Author Janis Thornton has researched and chronicled that day in her new book. Thornton worked with staff at the Elkhart County Historical Museum in her research and images from the museum’s collection appear in the book.
In speaking about the book and how it came together, Thornton said, “I can’t emphasize enough that the book couldn’t have been possible were it not for the trust and contributions of the 120 people who spoke with me about their personal, first-hand, terrifying, heartbreaking, and life-changing experiences in the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes. Hearing about the Palm Sunday tornadoes from the people who survived them provides a clear understanding of just how savage those storms were. Without their stories, I could not have begun to document the worst weather disaster in Indiana’s history. Despite the horror Hoosiers endured that night, it’s also what pulled people together. Those who could help immediately came together, pooled their resources, and quickly devised ways to find their injured and trapped neighbors and dig them out. Get them help. This they did selflessly and tirelessly. For hours. And even days. Their actions in that crisis revealed what Hoosiers are made of and showed great compassion and determination.”
The program at the museum is the first public promotion of book, which was released May 2. Thornton and the museum staff recognize the importance that the first public event for this book occu in Elkhart County.
“The book documents what happened throughout the entire state, but Elkhart County’s connection to that day is particularly important in our understanding of our community’s history,” said Patrick McGuire, curator of education.
The program will consist of a presentation by Thornton about the process in writing the book, followed by a question-and-answer segment. After the program, attendees may purchase books and get them signed.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: News
