Museum to host bean feed May 25 for tornado anniversary

The Top of Oklahoma Museum’s bean feed, which was interrupted by the pandemic in 2020, returns May 25 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at the museum, 303 S. Main St. Each meal – which includes beans, cornbread and dessert – will cost $7.

The museum will also host a book signing by Ginny Goresen, author of the book “Without Warning,” which tells the story of the 1955 tornado that struck Blackwell. The book is co-authored by Bob Burke. May 25 is the 66th anniversary of the tornado that devastated both Blackwell and Udall, Kansas. In 2020, the museum opened a new exhibit, “F5 in 1955,” commemorating the tornado.

The exhibit, made possible by a grant from the City of Blackwell, occupies an entire room. It features artifacts, video footage, a tornado simulator machine, personal stories of people who survived the tornado and stories of those who didn’t. Tours of the exhibit will be available, and books are on sale, with profits going toward the museum. “We are excited to see everyone at the bean feed,” museum director Melissa Hudson said. “We didn’t get to have the opening of the exhibit we wanted last year. Now is the chance to eat a great lunch, get a book signed and visit the exhibit.”