Exploring Oklahoma with Children
Whirlwind Weekend Plan a trip to the Twister Movie Museum BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS BY IAN CUOMO .
The town of Wakita, Okla. found cinematic glory as the backdrop of the iconic 1996 film Twister . Still today, visitors can step into the vortex of Hollywood’s impact on this small community at the Twister Movie Museum.
THE MEMORABILIA ON DISPLAY GIVES VISITORS A BEHIND-THE- SCENES LOOK AS CAPTURED BY AREA RESIDENTS.
From disaster to Hollywood Oklahoma is well known for its prominent place in Tornado Alley. Cities and small towns across the Sooner state have their own harrowing tales of when the forces of nature have carved destructive paths in their wake, as well as the strength and resilience of our people that often follow.
“The number of storm chasers boomed after the release of the film,” confirmed Richard Gross, current owner of the Twister Movie Museum. The film also came to the rescue of the small town of Wakita, Okla. “A storm with an F3 tornado passed just south of town in 1993,” said Gross. “A hail core with grapefruit-sized hail hit the main part of town.” Many homes and businesses sustained significant damage. “Those who didn’t have insurance couldn’t rebuild,” said Linda Wade, one of the founders and the previous owner of the museum. “After a few years, several buildings were [deemed] derelict and needed to be torn down.”
Those powerful themes are captured in the 1996 American cult classic film Twister . Arguably the most popular weather- related movie of all time, Twister changed the landscape of storm chasing, inspiring many to pursue storm science as a hobby and even a profession.
GET AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT MOVIE PROPS INCLUDING DEBRIS AND AND THE STILL-OPERATIONAL DOROTHY I.
58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JAN-FEB 2024
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