Betty’s Cabin is Open!
The past few months have brought many new beginnings for Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. One of them came in the last days of 2022 with the reopening of Betty’s Cabin on December 29!
Over the years, Betty’s Cabin has been a joy for the Ball family and our community. Initially built for George and Frances Ball’s daughter, Betty, the small cabin was designed as a space for her to play and explore. At one point, Minnetrista used the cabin to house the animals participating in our tours and programming. An owl, snake, some salamanders, and turtles lived happily together in the cabin until we decided to open the space as a gathering place for families and children to play in March 2015. We rehomed the animals, and the turtles currently reside at the Muncie Children’s Museum! Betty’s Cabin remained open for a couple of days each week until March 2019, when our campus closed due to COVID-19.
When we reopened during the fall, the cabin had to remain closed due to various new safety and cleaning protocols. As it became safe to gather again, we thought about our dream for Betty’s Cabin and knew the area needed a refresh. After installing a new roof, we were inspired to get the space ready for public use but knew that it would take a lot of work and funds that we didn’t have.
Soon after these discussions began, we were approached by a funder who was interested in giving a gift to Minnetrista. It became apparent that Betty’s Cabin was a special place for her family, so she decided that she would use the gift to help us rejuvenate and reopen the cabin. Her partnership also enables us to staff the space so visitors can enjoy it multiple days per week! This funder is Patterson Block Muncie! Kimberly Ferguson, an active community partner, purchased Patterson Block, a historical building in downtown Muncie that houses many businesses. With her help, Betty’s Cabin is a free space for our community to enjoy. It’s full of games, toys, arts, and crafts for families to enjoy and build long-lasting memories. Have fun with building blocks, fort building, crafting puppet shows, and creating with watercolors, markers, and crayons. You can also have fun outside of the cabin with lawn games and outdoor searches with binoculars and microscopes. The cabin is open Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
In the next few months, we will offer activities in the space, free to our community!
Betty’s Cabin Activity: Animal Tracks
Friday, February 17, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Discover the clues that critters leave behind–animal tracks! Join us in Betty’s Cabin to learn about different animal prints, then make and take an animal track of your own.
Looking to find more clues? Stop by the Mindbender Mansion exhibit in our Center Building to put your detective skills to use!
Betty’s Cabin Activity: Spring Watercolors
Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
April showers bring May flowers! Use watercolor paints to create your own spring scenes in Betty’s Cabin as we celebrate color returning to our gardens!
Betty’s Cabin Activity: Music Making
Thursday, March 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Make music and dance to the beat at Betty’s Cabin! Stop by, play, sing, and try out a variety of percussion instruments.
We’re thankful for the support of Patterson Block Muncie and happy to offer this space to children and their adult caregivers free of admission! You can learn more about the cabin and our events and activities here. Follow us on socials for news about Betty’s Cabin and more!
Betty’s Cabin Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
