Greentown Historical Society gathers impressive crowd for Palm Sunday tornadoes talk

Day in and day out, Indiana Humanities’ grantees and partners are bringing the humanities to life for Hoosiers across the state. From small towns like Jasper to big cities like Fort Wayne, our grantees are creating thoughtful programs, bridging divides and inspiring Hoosiers to think, read and talk. As part of our ongoing efforts to uplift the work of our partners, we’re highlighting past and present grantees and sharing their stories of impact.  

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On April 11, 1965, one of the worst tornado outbreaks in U.S. history struck Indiana, leaving paths of destruction in the central and northern parts of the state. 

Howard County was hit hard. Over the course of about 20 minutes, a tornado leveled the towns of Russiaville and Alto and killed 13 people in and around Greentown in the eastern part of the county. Across Indiana, 137 people lost their lives. 

Sixty years and one day later, on April 12, 2025, dozens of people gathered in Greentown to remember the event and, for those not alive at the time, to learn about it. With the support of an Indiana Humanities Action Grant, the Greentown Historical Society hosted a talk by author Janis Thornton, whose book The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana tells gripping stories about destruction, survival, and recovery. 

Thornton began working on her book in 2021, and because Greentown was so impacted by the tornado outbreak, she contacted the historical society for research support. The historical society generously offered its Palm Sunday tornado files and photos and put her in touch with local residents to interview. As the 60th anniversary of the outbreak approached this spring, Craig Trott, one of the historical society’s most active members, contacted Thornton to arrange for her presentation.  

The response to Thornton’s talk was impressive. So many people expressed interest that the Greentown Historical Society had to book a larger venue. About 125 attended, which according to Thornton was a record. (She’s delivered 17 Palm Sunday tornadoes presentations so far, usually to around 50 to 75 people at each.) Thornton said she gives the historical society all the credit for doing an amazing job of getting the word out. 

It’s clear that the Greentown Historical Society takes this work seriously. Volunteers founded the organization in 2000 for the purpose of telling the story of eastern Howard County. Over the last quarter of a century, they’ve collected papers, photos, and artifacts; conducted oral histories; developed and delivered programs; and worked with schools on youth programming. They operate out of two historic commercial buildings in downtown Greentown. 

In addition to hosting Thornton’s talk this spring, historical society members used Indiana Humanities grant funds to research and produce an in-depth exhibition on the 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes, building upon two smaller exhibits they had developed on the topic in the past. According to Joyce Lantz, a retired educator and dedicated historical society volunteer, work included visiting other museums for exhibit and program ideas and consulting with staff from the Indiana Historical Society’s local history services department. 

Dozens of individuals and groups have been to see the exhibition, which debuted on the day of Thornton’s talk and runs through Dec. 6. Lantz said that the historical society has had a positive and enthusiastic public response to programming and is grateful to have had funding and encouragement from Indiana Humanities to help make it possible. 

For Thornton, it’s been especially rewarding to continue to talk to people about their experiences with the Palm Sunday tornadoes and to share in their memories. “When I reach the end of my planned talk, I tell the audience that I’m turning the spotlight over to them so they can tell their stories,” she said. “And that is always the best part.” 

For information about Indiana Humanities and our grants program can help your community tell its own stories, visit our website. To learn more about the Greentown Historical Society’s story-gathering and storytelling efforts, including details about the Palm Sunday tornadoes exhibit, explore its website or Facebook page. To discover more of Janis Thornton’s history-related work, including her book The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana (a shortlisted honoree for the 2024 Indiana Authors Awards best nonfiction book), check out her website.