Big Well Museum is Progressing on Schedule – Seeks Community Input
Greensburg, KS – The City of Greensburg, BNIM Architects, Project Explore, Inc., and Ralph Appelbaum Associates today announced that progress is continuing as planned on the Big Well Museum, one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas. Current and former residents’ knowledge and stories are being sought as the conceptual design phase of the museum is being developed.
Three thematic concepts have already been suggested from initial research and residents’ responses to a survey for the proposed 4,000 square foot museum which includes the well. The concepts are the Big Well, the EF-5 Tornado, and building the Green Model City. More input is being sought for people in the area to go to the City of Greensburg’s website (http://www.greensburgks.org/) and click on the link that is dominantly displayed on the home page.
“We are especially looking for ‘artifacts’ and stories about the construction and early years of the Big Well and the tornado,” said Steve Hewitt, City Manager of Greensburg. “What will be so intriguing about this museum is what people may now think is commonplace or ordinary can be really amazing to visitors. For instance, a note left on the kitchen table remaining after the kitchen disappeared becomes a memorable story. Or a picture flying out of a frame, leaving the frame unmoved on the one remaining wall of a bedroom is a tale inspiring awe. We need to hear more from the folks who lived through the tornado. If a long-ago relative helped dig the well, or you have some relevant pictures, we want to hear from you,” he stressed.
The interactive museum will also make use of the verbal reminiscences of residents of all ages and experiences, similar to “StoryCorps,” the national program which is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Two representatives of Project Explore will be returning to the area on January 14 and 15 to record those stories. To make your appointment, call 913.384.1020 or send an email to chris@projectexplore.org to schedule your time.
“Gathering all the information now for the museum’s content is not only necessary, it’s vital,” emphasized Chris Becicka of Project Explore. “These are the anecdotes and items that will bring even more tourism and make Greensburg’s heritage – past, present, and future – come alive to all who enter the Big Well Museum.”
