For some people, Minnetrista’s Faeries, Sprites & Lights event is an annual occasion to bring the family together, but there are others who have heard of the event, but are still unsure what exactly it entails. Is it a play production? A summer carnival for kids? When you haven’t ever experienced FSL firsthand, there can be a lot of questions. As a newcomer to Muncie myself, and as a Minnetrista rookie, I approached the same learning curve.

Muncie is making its mark in the Midwest as an eco-friendly city and Minnetrista’s work in storm water mitigation is a big part of these efforts! Minnetrista is known in East Central Indiana for its historic gardens and beautiful landscaping. It is apparent to many who visit that Minnetrista goes above and beyond in our care for the gardens and our emphasis on nature preservation.

In recent blogs, you were introduced to the horticulture team and the grounds team. This week, we would like to introduce the marketing team! The marketing team is of responsible for internal and external branding, outreach efforts and continuing Minnetrista’s message to the community and East Central Indiana.

In one of our last blog's you were introduced to our Horticulture Team—some of the people that keep Minnetrista looking its best. This week, it's our pleasure to introduce you to our Grounds Team! The Grounds Team is comprised of Manager, Steve Scott; Supervisor, Olaf Larson; and assistants Tim Smith and Brian Peterson. These gentleman work tirelessly every single day to make sure Minnetrista's roads are clear, the paths are clean, and the grass and grounds are well-cared for and looking their best.

Minnetrista has some of the most beautiful grounds in East Central Indiana. We take immense pride in the work that is done and seek to hire the best team around. Meet our Horticulture Team! Led by their fearless leader James Edwards, the Horticulture Team is comprised of Lindsey Cox, Parker Gagliano, Amelia Rule, James LeCount, and longtime volunteer, Brian Beale.

If you’re wondering why the Catalyst Sculpture looks a little odd, it may have something to do with the removal of all the glass! We thought it would take at least a week to remove the glass, but GRT Glass Design in Indianapolis was able to remove all of the glass in a single day.

The next time you want to enjoy the weather but are at a loss of what to do, check out an explorer bag from Minnetrista. Inside these bags are interactive objects, tools, and hands-on activities to help you discover something new during your visit.

It’s that magical time of year when the faeries return to Minnetrista! Capture some of this magic by building your own faerie garden in a jar.

Where else can you find popular cooking spices like basil, parsley, and oregano that are fresh and for public use? The Culinary Herb Garden is yet another gathering place within Minnetrista that enhances quality of life. This garden is free and open to the community to harvest growing herbs for cooking at home.

The outdoor season of the Farmers Market began on May 5. The Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May through October. The market includes a wide variety of local and fresh foods – many of which you can use SNAP benefits or IU Health Bucks to purchase! Below, you will find information about using the two programs at Minnetrista.

Springtime may bring blooming flowers outside, but you can create your own DIY flowers inside. With just a few materials, we created our own indoor garden that will stay vibrant all year long!

Today we know The Orchard Shop for its collection of local art and other exciting finds. But the origins of the unique store go way back to an orphanage more than 100 years ago.

Children of the Delaware County Orphanage, which was located on the southeast corner of what is now Minnetrista’s East Lawn, tended and sold produce from the orchard to earn money. When the orphanage moved west of Muncie in 1906, Frank C. Ball purchased the entire site, including the approximately ten-acre orchard.

Minnetrista Boulevard is lined with the historic Ball Brother homes. The homes are beautiful in any season and each has distinctive features making them a beautiful site. We love the beautiful summer flowers as we equally love the pearl colored snow against each home. Below we have photos of each home in summer and winter. Enjoy!

Calling all nature lovers! You’re invited to the first Nocturnal Week in Betty’s Cabin the week of January 16–21.

In preparation for this new event, we interviewed Experience Guide Rachel Foster, who is one of the creators behind this program, and the staff member who will be implementing Nocturnal Week. See our interview below.

The weather has gone from sunny and hot to cloudy and cold. People have put away their shorts and flip-flops in exchange for jeans and boots. Skies are darkening earlier and the trees here at Minnetrista are starting to lose their colorful leaves. For a lot of people, these are all signs that the holiday season is right around the corner.

It is fall in East Central Indiana and Minnetrista is no exception. Throughout campus, you can see pieces of summer hanging on and fall making its way in. We hope you enjoy these shots of our campus and possibly even a fall stroll through Minnetrista to see the sights for yourself.