Greensburg: Art, History and Remembrance

Greensburg: History, Art and Remembrance

In Greensburg, cultural and historical themes range from an unusually large well to art offerings and memorial sites. Visitors who choose the city for a stay can discover different aspects of its history—from buildings and exhibitions to contemporary art.

The Big Well was completed in 1888 and is 109 feet deep and 32 feet wide. When it opened as an attraction in 1939, visitors could descend all the way to the bottom. The pallasite meteorite Space Wanderer is on display in the Big Well. The well’s dimensions and the exhibit offer two different ways to engage with the site. The Big Well Museum & Visitors Center also features photographs, graphics and objects related to the 2007 tornado.

The Kiowa County Historical Museum presents the history of Kiowa County through artifacts, exhibitions and programs. The museum also includes the Soda Fountain, which is considered part of its “living history.” The Hunter Drug building was constructed in 1917 and originally housed the Soda Fountain, which is still in operation. The Kiowa County Historical Museum and Soda Fountain is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; it is closed on Sundays. Check opening hours before your visit.

A gray granite marker on Memorial Plaza commemorates ten Greensburg residents who died in the tornado. The plaza is located on a plot of land donated to the city by the Fleener-Beck family in memory of the 2007 tornado. The Water Tower Sculpture also preserves a connection to the city’s history: it was made from parts of Greensburg’s former water tower and donated to the city as a keepsake. Several sculptures stand in Starlight Public Art Park. These include The Beacon, which commemorates the tenth anniversary of the Greensburg tornado. The memorial sites therefore take different forms: a marker names residents, while sculptures connect remembrance with works of art.

Art Venues and Notable Buildings

The 5.4.7 Arts Center offers classes, exhibitions and performances. Classes and workshops are for all ages and include workshops with visiting artists as well as local offerings in watercolor, pastel and ceramics. This means you can explore art not only through exhibitions and performances, but also through the specified class and workshop topics. The Arts Center building is LEED Platinum-certified and was the first building of its kind in the state of Kansas.

Other buildings also tell the story of Greensburg’s architecture and urban development. The Robinett Building was constructed as a commercial building in 1915 and was the only building in downtown to survive the tornado. Its sustainable renovation included energy-efficient windows, new insulation, an efficient HVAC system and bamboo flooring. The SunChips Business Incubator became the first municipal building in Kansas to receive LEED Platinum certification. The two buildings highlight different things: the Robinett Building’s history and renovation measures, and the SunChips Business Incubator’s distinction as the first municipal building to receive the certification.

The Twilight Theatre has another story to tell. It began as a brick opera house; its first performance took place on April 16, 1917. The new Twilight Theatre opened in April 2015 as a multipurpose venue for films, live events and school programs. The theater’s story thus connects an early chapter in its history with the uses described for the new venue.

Getting Around on Foot or by Bicycle

You can explore Greensburg on a self-guided tour on foot or by bicycle. Maps and free bicycles are available to borrow from the Big Well Museum. This lets you plan your exploration independently and connect it with the different themes of the museums, art venues and memorial sites. Which places you focus on during your stay depends on whether you are especially interested in architectural history, art offerings or remembrance of the tornado.

For the broader travel overview: Kiowa County.