2023 Minnetrista Columns Magazine Issue 2

we need as a volunteer at minnetrista! you

I was a big fan of Mad Magazine when I was growing up. I had a picture on my wall of the cover of the April 1969 issue (the month I was born), featuring Mad’s Alfred E. Neuman character in an Uncle Sam outfit, like the classic U.S. Army recruiting posters. However, instead of saying, “I Need You,” the cover said, “Who Needs You?” While I doubt that the person who created that poster meant for it to have any meaning other than humor, I viewed that cover as a kind of light-hearted message from the universe to see where I could fit in and be useful. If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, or if you’re asking that question now, I can help answer it – we need you as a volunteer at Minnetrista!

For Minnetrista to truly be a community-focused organization, it is important that we welcome members of our community to help us with our exhibits, programs, events, and behind-the-scenes operations. Our volunteers provide us with vital input about what we offer our visitors, and having volunteers from our community helps reinforce an important message for all who come to Minnetrista: you are welcome here; we are your friends and neighbors, so be at ease and enjoy yourself.

We welcome volunteers with a wide range of ages, interests, and abilities, and you can volunteer around your schedule – just let us know when you’re available and what your interests are, and we’ll work to find a good fit for you. We have volunteers who are retirees, students who want to perform service hours, and people who just want to fill in some time here and there with meaningful and helpful activities.

staff meet the

There are many opportunities to volunteer at Minnetrista. You can help maintain our beautiful gardens, assist our collections staff with their important research, work with children in our programs, help us set up a new exhibit, be a part of our signature events that delight our community, help customers in The Orchard Shop, and more!

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most in my first few months at Minnetrista has been meeting our volunteers, learning about their experiences and their interests, and hearing their stories about the projects they’ve worked on and the connections they’ve made with our staff, our visitors, and each other. The people who volunteer are as much a part of the fabric of Minnetrista as our exhibits, programs, and staff, so please consider whether you’d like to try being a volunteer with us!

If you are interested in volunteering, or for more information, please visit our website at minnetrista. net/volunteer or call us at 765.282.4848. Or, you always are welcome to contact me directly at bstatz@ minnetrista.net or 765.287.3501, and we can discuss being a volunteer or anything else you like!

Thank you for being a friend to Minnetrista!

Brian president & ceo

Chloe Newman is the Digital Communications Coordinator. She manages our social media, email communications, blog, and updates our website with the latest happenings. She enjoys finding creative ways to keep everyone informed about the great things happening here at Minnetrista. Chloe encourages you to say hello next time you see her photographing or filming events, and, of course, she would love for you to follow us on our socials if you haven’t already!

Spencer Evans is a Muncie native and Ball State University grad. He joined Minnetrista in January of 2021 as the staff accountant. He counts and records cash receipts, makes sure that our vendors receive payment, prepares monthly financial statements, and everything else it takes to keep Minnetrista’s accounts in good standing! In his free time, Spencer likes to spend time with his family and friends, work out, and watch sports.

Editor Jennifer Parks-Strack

Designer Jeremy Pittsford

Contributing Writers

James Edwards, Horticulture Manager

Lindsey Horan, VP of Community Engagement

Jessica Jenkins, VP of Collections & Storytelling

Kirsten Novotny, Theatre & Events Manager

Jennifer Parks-Strack, AD of Development

Brian Statz, President & CEO

Photographer Chris Carroll

About the cover:

A girl playing in the bubble garden at Faerie, Sprites, & Lights

ISSN: 2152-6176

Columns magazine is published three times each year and distributed by Minnetrista without charge to its members. Comments or questions should be directed to Jennifer Parks-Strack at 765.287.3504 , or jparks-strack@minnetrista.net

1200 North Minnetrista Parkway Muncie, IN 47303–2925

© 2023, Minnetrista

Thank you to our columns sponsor.

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ENCHANTED EXPLORATION

by kristen novotny, theatre & events manager

Summer is upon us and we are gearing up for our annual Faeries, Sprites, & Lights (FSL) event. After last year’s successful return to a larger-scale event, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back to the gardens again in 2023. This year’s event focuses on the idea of Exploration.

Children will get to explore both our world and the fae realm as they travel through the garden, interacting with lively characters and discovering faerie villages along the way. Our Friends of the Fae this year include a wide variety of exploratory trades. During your time here, you’ll get to meet a travel writer, a botanist, a gemologist, a mythologist, and a cryptozoologist. Our theatre show under the big tent features an astronomer and their two assistants.

Last year, we made a decision to do our part for the environment by switching to environmentally friendly glitter for our glitter tattoos. This year, we are making the same commitment to protect our gardens as much as possible. The faeries encourage those who are coming to their festival to explore the gardens and discover natural things that sparkle like glitter and to leave the human-made glitter at home.

Our first sensory friendly offering last year went very well and we are excited to continue it for future years. The 2023 sensory friendly time will be Saturday, July 29 from 1–4 p.m. If you want to experience the magic of the event, but worry about the potential sensory overload that can come from large events, you can attend the sensory friendly hours for a more subdued atmosphere. Quieter music, a smaller crowd, and calmer character interactions with the Friends of the Fae allow guests to enjoy their time in the garden at their own pace. We are grateful to Interlock ECI for sponsoring the sensory friendly event!

As we get closer to the event, keep an eye on Minnetrista’s social media platforms for some exciting sneak peeks into the characters. During the month of July, if you look closely, you may also find some faerie doors popping up around Muncie. If you find them, tag us in your posts so we can share in all the fae fun! The faeries of Oakhurst invite you and your families to explore the gardens and find the magic all around us.

more than sugar and spice

Earlier this summer, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens launched the national touring premiere of the Smithsonian’s award-winning exhibit, Girlhood (It’s complicated). On-site until September 17, Girlhood delves into many stories and experiences proving that girls are not just made of “sugar and spice, and everything nice,” but of much stronger stuff. In fact, through a variety of artifacts, storytelling, artwork, and media, the exhibit reminds us that girls have been on the front lines of change throughout American history. As part of the exhibit’s stop in Muncie, Minnetrista has added a layer of our own local content—sharing the stories of several changemaking girls from right here in East Central Indiana (ECI).

With the goal of complementing the themes and content shared by the Smithsonian, our staff looked to Minnetrista’s own museum collection, as well as other collecting repositories and individuals living in ECI. In doing this research, we uncovered the stories of Hoosier females who have made a difference right here. While many of these girlhood experiences are what society often thinks of as typically girlish—filled with parties, school clubs, and social organizations—our research confirmed that many girlhood experiences are much different than what people first envision. Particularly illustrative of this fact are the experiences of girls in Muncie and ECI who found themselves joining the workforce at a young age in the late 19th

by jessica jenkins, vice president of collections & storytelling

As a state fueled by the growing manufacturing industry of the late 1800s, by 1910 Indiana found itself ranked third highest in the country for its proportion of child labor. As early as 1867, the state legislature passed laws forbidding persons under the age of sixteen from working more than ten hours a day. This legislation only extended to child laborers in woolen and cotton mills, however. Over the next few decades, any attempts at further regulation were few and far between. This led to children filling a large portion of the state’s workforce, particularly in the glass industry, coal mining, furniture making, fruit and vegetable canning, and in private households.

In Muncie, children were employed by local business owners as stockers, laundresses, delivery workers, and other similar positions. In the manufacturing realm, companies such as Ball Brothers, Hemingray Glass, and Republic Iron & Steel employed children in a variety of work roles. Often advertising in the local newspaper, these companies relied on children to fill out their workforce. Although the state passed additional laws in the late 1890s in an attempt to keep children out of factories and in schools, these laws were not well enforced. Many struggling families needed the wages of as many family members as possible to survive, and often many parents chose work for their children over education.

In December of 1905 one child employee in particular caught the eye of local press. As part of the attempt to regulate child labor, state inspectors were regularly sent into Hoosier factories to check in on working conditions and the labor force. During an inspection, Edna Webb, noted as fourteen years of age at the time, was found working at the Ball facility in Muncie.

According to state law, Edna was too young to be employed by the company, and A.L. Bingham, superintendent at the Ball factory,

With a design inspired by zines, Girlhood (It’s Complicated) features custom murals and illustration by artist Krystal Qyiles. Credit: Artwork by Krystal Quiles for the National Museum of American History.

was reported to the local courts for the violation. By January 1906, the issue had taken a turn. In the months’ time, Edna and her family had brought their own damage suit against Ball Brothers. Having mangled four fingers in a machine at the factory, Edna pursued compensation for her injuries. Upon first recounting her story for the judge, she stated she had not been properly trained on how to operate the machine. She later changed her story to indicate that she had attempted to operate the machine on her own without supervision. In the end, the local judge chose to drop the case and Ball Brothers paid Edna $100 outside of court.

Although to Edna the case may have seemed to fizzle out, it was through court cases and local media coverage like hers that the issues of child labor were kept in front of the public and lawmakers. As public sentiment and progressive era social reforms turned in favor of stricter child labor laws, states like Indiana responded with tighter regulations and harsher enforcement. For every Edna Webb, however, there are multiple child workers we do not know the names of. Often the historic record had kept the identities of these females and their girlhood experiences at work hidden. As often as we can, it is important to share their names and experiences with girls today. Edna Webb, Mary Henderson, and Fern Forbes were just three of the young women who spent at least a portion of their girlhood at work in the factory. While these girls may have been made of, “sugar and spice and everything nice,” they were undoubtedly also made of much stronger stuff–something they proved every day when they stepped into the factory, working to support themselves and their families.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ball Brothers glass employed a variety of child laborers in the production of their iconic product at their Muncie factory.

Credit: Minnetrista Heritage Collection.

Muncie factories like Ball Brothers and Hemingray Glass often advertised for child laborers in the local newspaper. Many girls employed by Ball Brothers works in the Stamping department. Credit: The Muncie Morning News, November 3, 1892.

In 1908 the National Child Labor Committee sent photographer Lewis Hine to Indiana to document the state of child labor in the Hoosier state. This photo shows children and young teenage workers on their noon lunch break at Republic Iron & Steel in Muncie. Credit: Library of Congress.

This photograph of workers at the Ball Brothers factory captures the unnamed faces of many child employees. A few boys in the front row may even be younger than ten years old.

Credit: Minnetrista Heritage Collection.

updates for fall exhibits

by lindsey horan, vice president of community engagement

Minnetrista is delighted to share some exciting changes to our exhibit calendar for the upcoming fall season. In order to provide our visitors with the best possible experience, we have made some adjustments that we believe will enhance your time spent at our museum.

Drawn from the Minnetrista Heritage Collection and centered deeply in the history of our community, the original exhibit, Crisis Canning, will be postponed until 2024. This decision was made to align with the momentous 140th anniversary of the Ball brand, a milestone that deserves a special celebration. By postponing the exhibit, we will also have ample time to welcome some new exhibition staff and curate a truly remarkable display that honors the rich history of canning during tough times in the US.

Similarly, our previously announced exhibit titled A Community Portrait will be postponed until 2025. This change allows us to devote more time to capturing meaningful photographs that truly reflect the diverse and vibrant nature of our community and to activate relationships across the East Central Indiana region that are essential to capturing the scope and diversity of who we are. We believe that taking this additional time will result in a more inclusive and impactful exhibit that represents the essence of our unique locality.

But fear not, the galleries will not be dark! We are delighted to introduce two exciting family-friendly touring exhibits that will replace the aforementioned exhibits for the fall season. The first, Turtle Travels, will be on display from September 30 to December 31. This captivating exhibit will take the whole family on an incredible journey,

exploring the fascinating characteristics of turtles and the challenges and thrills these gentle creatures face on their travels. Prepare to be amazed by the wonders of the animal kingdom!

The second touring exhibit, Brain: The World Inside Your Head, will be showcased from October 7 to January 7. Get ready to dive into the mysterious and awe-inspiring world of the human brain. Discover the intricate complexities of this remarkable organ that governs our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Through interactive displays and engaging activities, you will gain a deeper understanding of the wonders taking place inside your own head. It’s an exploration that is suited for all ages.

As previously announced, our popular annual art exhibit, Open Space: Art About the Land, will round out the offerings, running from November 4 to January 7. This exceptional showcase will feature the art of talented Hoosier artists who work across all mediums, drawing inspiration from the beauty and significance of the land around us. Immerse yourself in their thoughtprovoking creations that capture the essence of nature, sustainability, and our relationship with the environment.

Minnetrista remains committed to providing you with memorable and enriching experiences at our museum. The changes to our exhibit calendar for the fall season are a reflection of our dedication to curating exceptional displays and ensuring that every visit to our museum is an opportunity for discovery, wonder, and growth. Thank you for your understanding and support as we make these adjustments. We can’t wait to welcome you to these exciting offerings!

October 7-

January 7, 2024

date

JANUARY 7,

September 30-December 31

minnetrista’s pop-up program

cultivating community partnerships & empowering individuals garden

by james edwards, horticulture manager

When one thinks of Minnetrista’s gardens, vibrant blooms and picturesque landscapes often come to mind. However, beyond the aesthetic appeal lies a profound commitment by the Horticulture department to address food insecurity and promote the transformative power of gardening. Since its inception in 2017, the Pop-Up Garden program has been instrumental in extending the reach of Minnetrista’s horticultural efforts into the Muncie community. With partnerships established with various organizations, the program has grown significantly, empowering individuals and fostering a sense of community. Let’s explore the impact of this program through the words of its partners.

Addressing Food insecurity

The Pop-Up Garden program emerged in response to the closure of several grocery stores in Muncie, exacerbating food deserts in the community. James Edwards, the Horticulture Manager, devised a solution by creating self-contained gardens that are ready for planting and optimized for success. The gardens, delivered to participants’ homes, consist of a 25-35 gallon grow bag containing a tomato plant, herb, and flower. This combination was carefully chosen to provide participants with a beginner’s garden that offers not only the joy of growing fresh produce but also the culinary benefits of herbs and the beauty of flowers.

Janette Stanley from the Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center highlights the program’s impact, stating, “Families and children are able to pick from the gardens at their leisure. This provides great ways for families to make meals together using what they had picked!” By offering accessible gardening opportunities, the program contributes to improving food security and fostering a deeper connection between families and their food sources.

Growing Partnerships & garden Distribution

Since its inception, the Pop-Up Garden program has experienced remarkable growth, both in terms of the number of gardens distributed and the involvement

of community organizations. Initially, in 2017, eleven gardens were created and distributed. However, the program has seen a substantial increase in gardens over the years. In 2023, the program plans to distribute over 100 gardens, a testament to its expanding reach and impact. These gardens are not only distributed to individuals but also shared with organizations in Muncie, including the Ross Community Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Motivate Our Minds, and several childcare facilities in the community. By partnering with these organizations, the program extends its influence and enables participants to further spread the benefits of gardening within their own communities.

Empowering Individuals & Building community

Kellie Arrowood from Second Harvest Food Bank acknowledges the transformative impact of the Pop-Up Garden program, stating, “Over the years, I have seen folks who would have never dreamed of gardening become gardeners because it allows a person to try something without fear of failure.” The program’s carefully prepared garden bags, potting mix, seedlings, and basic instructions reduce barriers and provide individuals with a low-risk opportunity to explore gardening. For some food-insecure neighbors, the cost and fear of failure associated with starting a garden can be significant obstacles. However, the Pop-Up Garden program assumes most of the initial risk through its preparatory measures, making it a “plug and play” type setup, as Arrowood describes it. This approach empowers individuals to take their first steps in gardening and builds confidence for future endeavors.

Moreover, the Pop-Up Garden program serves as a catalyst for community involvement. By partnering with Minnetrista, community organizations gain access to horticultural expertise and support from James Edwards, the Horticulture Manager. Arrowood states, “Partnering with them for this project has given me access to the knowledge of James, and that is a big thing. I know I could call on him with pictures of issues, and he will help me identify problems or concerns.”

travel the nation with your minnetrista membership

by jennifer parks-strack, associate director of development

One of the perks of being an Explorer or Premier member at Minnetrista is access to reciprocal programs! This means that you can use your Minnetrista membership at hundreds of museums and gardens across the country, and even internationally.

Minnetrista participates in three reciprocal programs: American Horticulture Society, Association of Science & Technology Centers, and North American Reciprocal Museum Association. The complete listing of which museums and gardens participate in these programs is available at the very bottom of our webpage at minnetrista.net/membership

If you are looking to travel regionally, you can use your membership at the following locations (but this is not the extensive list!): Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH

COSI, Columbus, OH

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus, OH

Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, IL

Newfields, Indianapolis, IN

Science Central, Fort Wayne, IN

South Bend Museum of Art, South Bend, IN

Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY

WonderLab, Bloomington, IN Lindsey Horan, Minnetrista’s Vice President of Community Engagement, was able to use her membership on recent trips to the Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA and the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, MT.

Member Gayle Skowronski visited Bok Tower in Lake Wales, FL.

Other members have traveled to Newfields in Indianapolis, Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN, the Indiana State Museum, the Field Museum in Chicago, IL, and Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, UT.

We want to hear from you! If you visited a neat museum or garden with your membership or have a Minnetrista memory to share, email us at stories@minnetrista.net or leave us a message at 765.273.3549

leave your at minnetristalegacy

For over three decades, Minnetrista’s galleries, gardens, and grounds have served as a cultural centerpiece and community gathering place for residents of East Central Indiana. When you choose to make a legacy gift (also known as a planned or estate gift) to Minnetrista, you help ensure that our museum and gardens will continue to be available to future generations of visitors.

A variety of planned giving options are available, giving you the flexibility to manage your assets in a way that makes the most financial sense for you and your family while allowing you to meet your charitable giving goals. Some of the simplest options are:

Bequests – Leave a percentage of your estate, a specific asset, or a set dollar amount by including gift language in your will or trust.

Life Insurance & Retirement- Name Minnetrista Cultural Foundation as the full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy, 401(k), 403(b), or other IRA account.

Including Minnetrista in your estate plans will help ensure this iconic institution can continue to thrive for generations to come. Minnetrista’s professional fundraising staff is happy to work with you and your financial advisor, tax professional, or family attorney to determine how a legacy gift to Minnetrista fits into your long-term financial plans.

To make a legacy gift or to get more information about gift options, please contact Lindsey Horan, MPA, CFRE at 765.287.3537

thanks

corporate sponsors

John Anderson Ball S tate University

Ed A rmantrout ( Vice Chair)

Civic Leader

Candace Bankovich

Muncie P ower P roducts

Faye Chechowich

Civic Leader

Nancy Dayton

Taylor University

Ermalene Faulkner

Civic Leader

Dr. Tim Fox

Anderson University

Tisha G ierhart

Shafer Leadership A cademy

Jeannine H arrold ( Secretary)

Civic Leader

Robert LaFrance Ball S tate University

Ann Ludwig

Civic Leader

Steve M oore (Chair)

First M erchants B ank

Katie M organ Perez Orchestra I ndiana

Tammy Phillips Ball A ssociates

Chuck Reynolds Muncie Community S chools

Matt Rust

Civic Leader

Ivy Tech Community College

Sara Shade H amilton (Vice Chair)

Beasley & G ilkison, LLP

Steve S lavin

Coldwell Banker The Real Estate G roup

Steve S mith

Mid-West M etal P roducts

Brian Statz President & CEO

Minnetrista

Marty Sulek

Civic Leader

Judy Valos

Civic Leader

emeritu s

Stefan S Anderson

Douglas A . Bakken

Frank E Ball*

Steve Bedi

Jim P. Borgmann

Frank A Bracken*

Jack L . Demaree

Terri M atchett

John Pruis*

trustees J.

Jack Ronald*

Nancy J. S mith

*Deceased

business partners foundations

BSU Office of Community Engagement

CSKern, Inc

Gill Brothers Furniture

LJ Stone Co

The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory

Normandy Flower Shop

City of Muncie ARP Funds

The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County

Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation

M.R. Metzger Family Foundation

The Winchester Foundation

Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Thomas Business Center

activites at minnetrista

hours

Wednesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday Noon–5 p.m.

Monday & Tuesday Closed

Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation

Now through September 10

Oakhurst Home, Oakhurst Gallery

Experience the beauty of Indiana’s rivers, streams, and tributaries and learn about the conservation work they desperately need to ensure their survival. The brainchild of five Hoosier artists, this is a painting exhibition with an environmental message.

Supported by:

In partnership with Flatland Resources

Girlhood (It’s complicated)

Now through September 17

Center Building, Galleries 1–3

Explore the diversity of girls’ experiences and how girls have changed American history in this enlightening exhibit. Girls are made of strong stuff and they’ve been on the front lines of change throughout American history - don’t miss this groundbreaking exhibit!

Girlhood (It’s complicated), an exhibition of the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative, was created by the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Supported locally by:

In partnership with Ball State University Women’s and Gender Studies Program, League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County, and Muncie Altrusa Foundation

Presented by:

upcoming events & programs

Tea & Talk: Muncie’s Tropical Rainforest

Presented by Lifestream

July 12

Member Saturday at The Orchard Shop

July 15

Faerie House Workshop

July 15

Faerie Tea Party

July 23

Tea & Talk: Collections 101 –From Donation to Exhibit

Presented by Lifestream

August 9

Member Saturday at The Orchard Shop

August 26

Find more information about these offerings at minnetrista.net/events