LIST OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Lorain Historical Society Tornado Presentation
May 11, 2024 | 11:00am @ the Lorain Historical Society
Hear from our Curator, Kaitlyn Donaldson, as she guides you through the Downtown Lorain Tornado Walking Tour! Get an exclusive look at our limited edition Tornado merchandise & more! Tickets are $5 per person. Call 440-245-2563 Ext. 7001 today to register!
Lorain Public Library System "One Saturday Afternoon" Show Times
Dates & Times TBD
More information coming soon...
Lorain Tornado Commemoration Postcard Exhibit
June 1, 2024 - July 26, 2024 | 10:00am - 4:30pm daily @ French Creek Nature Center
Recognizing the historical nature of events, photographers arrived to capture Lorain’s devastation and monthslong recovery. Their photos would be used to produce dozens of post cards, some of which were sent across the country. This exhibit portrays some of those scenes and the impressions people had in the aftermath of that horrific day.
French Creek Nature Center "One Saturday Afternoon" Show Times
June 8, 2024 & July 13, 2024 at 9:30am - 10:45am @ French Creek Nature Center
Hear the story of the Lorain/Sandusky Tornado through the voices of historians and survivors as they relive the day that forever changed the lives for two cities and their people. After the movie join Lorain Historical Society for guided walking tours in downtown Lorain. More information about the walking tours can be found at LorainHistory.org.
Official Commemoration Event
June 28, 2024 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm Remembrance Ceremony @ Sunset Terrace
This remembrance event will honor the victims and survivors of the tornado. The Lakeview Park Bath House location was selected for this event because of its tragic history where the tornado first made landfall in Lorain.
Lakeview Park Walking Tour (Following Commemoration)
June 28, 2024 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Meet at Fountain
Join Lorain County Metro Parks staff to discover the history of Lakeview Park. They will explore everything from the tornado to the rose garden and more!
The Lorain International Festival | Book Signing Event
June 28, 2024 at 5:30pm Announcement @ Black River Landing Main Stage
Acknowledgement during the Lorain International Festival’s opening remarks kicking off the festival weekend.
International Weekend (28th-30th) - Book Signing Event @ Transportation Center, (BRL)
Join author of "The 1924 Tornado in Lorain & Sandusky: Deadliest in Ohio History", Betsy D'Annibale in a book signing event at the Transportation Center during the festival.
Guided Walking Tour Schedule | Second Saturday's Main Street Lorain
June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14 | Tours begin at 11:15am & 1:15pm
Tickets are $5 per person. Children 12 and under are free. If you'd like to purchase tickets on site, please visit our LHS booth during Second Saturday's to purchase tickets. Second Saturday's begin at 11:00am and run until 3:00pm. Once you have registered for the event, meet us in front of Union Town Provisions on the opposite side of Broadway between the Duane Building and Domino's Pizza. There will be benches and a tour guide waiting to depart. Tour starts promptly at 11:15am. Our walking route will cover downtown Lorain, so please wear comfortable shoes, as there won't be many places to stop. The duration of the tour is about an hour.
FireFish Festival
September 21, 2024 | 2:00pm - 11:00pm @ Downtown Lorain
The FREE FireFish Festival takes place every September around the time of the full moon, serving as the culmination and celebration of all FireFish Art’s programs. Each year, the event promises unique art installations, music, food, fun, fire – and the much anticipated and signature Illumination of the FireFish with its parade and pageantry.
Black River Stamp Club Annual Stamp Show Feat. Lorain Tornado
November 23, 2024 | 10:00am - 4:00pm @ St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Elyria
Purchase the exclusive Lorain Tornado Postmark and Cachet at the stamp show! Can't make the show? The postmark and cachet will be available for purchase at the Lorain Historical Society.
Is your organization planning a public event about the tornado that you would like to have added to the community calendar? Please send date, time, location, and description information to Lorain Historical Society AmeriCorps Member Kaitlyn Brulia to have your event included. Kbrulia@lorainhistory.org. Not sure if your event should be included? Email Kaitlyn Brulia with questions.
1924 Lorain Tornado Postcards & Photographs
Research & Explore
Lorain Historical Society volunteers have been describing and digitizing the extensive collection of Tornado photographs, postcards, and documents for the public to view and explore online. Check out our CatalogIt page dedicated to our Tornado Collection!
Volunteers have done their best to identify exact locations of images in the collection. Let us know if you have information or family history to add the collection!
Tornado Walking Tour
Can't join us during Main Street Lorain's 'Second Saturday' events or want to take the tour on your own?
We've got you covered. By downloading our 1924 Lorain Tornado Walking Tour you can have a copy of our self-guided walking tour!
For questions or concerns about booking a walking tour please contact our Curator, Kaitlyn at kdonaldson@lorainhistory.org or call (440) 245 - 2563.
The Tornado Historical Marker
More information coming soon...
Lorain Public Library Activities
More information coming soon...
Mission
To honor the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Lorain tornado, local organizations are working together to remember the victims and survivors of the tornado and promote awareness around the rebuilding and rebirth that followed.
Events and activities to commemorate the tornado will be held beginning Friday, June 28, 2024 and continue throughout the summer of 2024. A central community program and event calendar can be found below.
Partners include the Lorain Historical Society, Lorain County Metro Parks, Main Street Lorain, the Morning Journal, FireFish Arts, Lorain Public Library System, the Black River Stamp Club, Lorain Port and Finance Authority, and the City of Lorain.
Involved Organizations
Our Products (coming soon)
Our products will be available in our Carnegie Center gift shop on April 13th. We are not currently offering shipping for our 1924 Tornado Collection at this time. For item availability please contact Office & Gift Shop Manager, Madison at (440) - 245 - 2563 Ext. 7001.
