Looking Back and Looking Forward

Wandering the grounds of Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, there are many things to discover and enjoy. Views of the White River can be taken in as you walk, run, or bike along the greenway; the serenity of the Nature Area can’t be beat; and beautiful garden spaces can be enjoyed throughout our 40 acres. In addition to these natural wonders, outdoor artifacts from the Minnetrista Heritage Collection are incorporated into the design of many of our outdoor spaces – adding not only visual interest, but ways for the public to enjoy the unique beauty and history that our collection has to offer.

Sculpture – “Catalyst.” Part of Minnetrista Museum and Garden’s Heritage Collection.

Over many years, several of these artifacts have become icons in our community. “Catalyst,” the large sculpture in front of our main building, is one that often comes to mind. With its distinct form and colorful glass, the piece frequently appears in publications about Muncie. The wishing well garden has also been the site of countless gatherings, with the ornamental wishing well itself playing a pivotal role in the memories of many community members. Another beloved location on our campus is the Colonnade Garden. Located along the parking lot between Oakhurst and the Lucius L. Ball home, the space serves several purposes. In a practical sense, it is a connector between Oakhurst’s gardens and the Backyard Garden – a path that many of our visitors frequently walk. Many guests visit the area to take photos of family. Others come to enjoy the beautiful flowers. I’ve even seen a visitor or two using it as a quiet space to catch up on some reading.

Colonnade Garden at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, pre-2008.
Minnetrista Heritage Collection

No matter what draws you there, a highlight of the Colonnade Garden is a line of nine historic columns made of Indiana limestone. Like “Catalyst,” the wishing well, and many other ornamental and architectural features on our site, these columns are a part of Minnetrista’s museum collection. But, where did they come from? What do they represent? In this case, these columns tie directly to our site and our name.

Frank C. and Bessie Ball’s home, “Minnetrista,” following its early 1900s remodel.
Minnetrista Heritage Collection

Built in 1894, Frank C. and Bessie Ball’s home was known as “Minnetrista.” While the original house was a wood frame structure with a look and feel more in line with Oakhurst, in the early 20th century a massive remodel was undertaken and the home was faced with Indiana limestone. During this remodel the house took on a very grand presence. A presence achieved not only with a new exterior, but with the addition of numerous limestone columns as well. While the imposing façade of this building may have looked indestructible, history provided it otherwise. In 1967 a nighttime fire caused irreparable damage to the Minnetrista house. While most of the structure was lost, some pieces, such as several of the limestone columns were salvaged by the Ball Brothers Foundation and stored for a future, undetermined use.

Columns from the “Minnetrista” home freshly installed in the Colonnade Garden, 1992.
Minnetrista Heritage Collection

 More than two decades later, in the early 1990s, a major restoration project was underway. While the heart of the project focused on turning the Oakhurst home into a public resource, the gardens and spaces around the home were being readied for the public as well. At last, the perfect project had come into view, and as plans for the Colonnade Garden came together, it was decided to utilize the nine matching limestone columns from the Minnetrista home in the final design. Since then, the garden space as evolved with various plantings added over time. While these natural elements have seen change and evolution, the columns have been a constant presence along the central pathway, standing throughout summer’s heat, springtime rain, and the freezes and thaws of our Indiana winters.

As with all objects in our museum collection, these unique outdoor pieces receive regular attention, care, and monitoring by Minnetrista’s Collections and Storytelling division. Led by our Collections Manager, the condition of all of outdoor artifacts are assessed multiple times throughout the year. During this process we document the items through both written reports, as well as photography. When strung together, these assessments allow us to monitor even the smallest of changes over time, and our team uses the information to address concerns and condition needs. At the same time, our Horticulture team continuously monitors and cares for our gardens, and the diverse types of trees, plants, and foliage across Minnetrista’s campus. With many of our outdoor artifacts in garden spaces, it truly becomes a team effort to care for these items.

The Colonnade Garden following wind damage in November 2022.

Even with vigilant monitoring, however, sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas. In early November, strong winds tore through Muncie. While our columns and beloved wisteria had shown all outward signs of stability and health, several factors came into play spelling the recipe for damage. As with every other moment of extreme weather our teams stepped into action monitoring various areas of our campus. This meant that a team of skilled staff were quickly on hand to stabilize the area while we rode out the weather event.

Young visitors enjoying the Colonnade Garden at Minnetrista, 1996.
Minnetrista Heritage Collection

In the aftermath, our first concerns were both safety for visitors and our collection. With that in mind our collections and horticulture teams sprang into action to assess the damage, secure the area, and begin taking the first steps to plan for the future. At this time we have safely removed all of the columns from the garden, and have taken steps to ensure that the space is safe for visitors to return. The artifacts have been moved to storage and collections staff will complete further assessments and perform all needed documentation of the damage. While odd to see this beloved space without the columns at this time, Minnetrista’s team is looking forward to the challenge of reactivating the Colonnade Garden in the future, so it can continue to be a site of pride and memory making for Minnetrista and the community.