I’ve mentioned former curator of business and industry, Dick Cole, on several occasions in this blog. While at Minnetrista, he worked extensively with the Ball company and family collections, but he often ventured into other subjects. He wrote the following story about Robert Patterson, a little remembered but obviously accomplished Muncie citizen.

Automotive Hall of Fame, that is. Several years ago, after visiting The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, my husband and I stopped by the Automotive Hall of Fame. Imagine my surprise when I rounded a corner and saw an entire display on Ralph Teetor. Wow, a display on a man from Hagerstown, Indiana. But, of course, it made sense. Teetor was a big deal in the automotive industry.

I’m going to veer off of the featured historical artifact path and talk about the upcoming Open Space: Art About the Land juried art exhibition opening September 19 at Minnetrista. Early in 2001, Muncie artist Brian Gordy asked, “Would you be interested in collaborating with Red-tail Land Conservancy on a juried art show?” Of course, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” And, thus, a lovely partnership began.

With a great map in hand, you can dream about exploring a different city, state, country, or continent. You can even go back in time and, in some cases, way, way back in time. One of more than 80 maps in the collection donated by Edmund F. Ball is titled America Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio. The black and white wood-engraved map from a 1588 – yes, that is the correct date – atlas shows a much different America than the one we know.

In the early 20th century, Harriett Mitchell Anthony, a.k.a. “Diamond Heels Hattie” and “Hattie Bell” made quite a splash in her hometown of Muncie for her extraordinary clothing and for her shoes set with diamonds in the heels.

Two disclaimers to this article: (1) This photo is not a featured artifact from the Minnetrista Heritage Collection, and (2) I am not a football fan. However, I do know a good story when I hear one.

Recently, I told you about upcoming renovation work to be done on the Oakhurst house. It must be the season to refresh and re-do. Work has been going on in The Center Building’s lobby for the last several weeks, and now the Heritage Collection Gallery is getting new carpet.

This month marks the 102nd anniversary of the devastating flood of 1913. On March 24 and 25, rain inundated Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New York. With a late spring thaw, the ground was either saturated or still frozen. In Indiana, the Ohio, White, and Wabash Rivers and all of their tributaries rose rapidly; causing massive flooding.

Muncie’s neighbor to the southwest is also celebrating its sesquicentennial this year. Yes, Anderson is 150 years old in 2015. Muncie and Anderson have a lot in common, including names derived from a shared Native American heritage, glass and auto manufacturing, and, of course, basketball.

It must have been a sight to see when local photographer Roger Pelham drove through the streets of Muncie taking pictures of houses in neighborhoods, from Westwood to Avondale to Normal City, for a special edition of McCall’s Magazine. This edition played on the notoriety of Muncie as the typical American community, as depicted by Robert and Helen Lynd in the Middletown books.

How lonely and scary to be a child in the hospital at Christmas time. For seventy-five years, the Ruth Lyons Children’s Fund has tried to make the stay a little bit better. As this photo taken at Ball Memorial Hospital shows, Santa Claus is getting ready to distribute gifts to children who were in the hospital at Christmas time.

The small but nationally known American Playground company in Anderson, Indiana celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. At that time, an article in the Madison County Chamber newsletter noted that the company had recently “completed its biggest and finest structure at Tuhey Park in Muncie.” Tuhey Towers, located near Tuhey Pool, consists of towers, slides, climbing ropes, and more.

While I was looking through the Minnetrista Heritage Collection for artifacts to include in an upcoming exhibit about children, I came across a yellow ribbon awarded for “Fifth Premium” in the Better Baby Contest held at the Indiana State Fair in 1926. Really! How does one determine what makes a “Better Baby?” I did a little research. First, I found a photograph depicting “Better Babies Day” at the Delaware County Fair in 1924. Hmmm—that ribbon wasn’t an anomaly.

Lucius L. Ball, his wife Sarah, and their daughter Helen used the room to the left of the entrance to their home as a parlor. It is now used by Minnetrista as a classroom and meeting space. During the 1980s, though, the room had a much different function.  It was a recording studio for WIPB, the local public broadcasting station, and starting in February 1984, Bob Ross of “happy little trees” fame produced The Joy of Painting in that room.

If you’ve lived in Muncie for a while, you’ve probably followed the trail of the Native American and his dog from atop the third Delaware County courthouse to the Stradling farm to Wysor Park and finally to the fourth Delaware County courthouse. Sometime during his travels, the dog was damaged and lost his face. The damage will soon be fixed, though. Delaware County Historical Society, which owns this statue and the other two that originally graced the third courthouse, has received a grant from the Community Foundation to make repairs.

As anyone who has spent time with me in the Collections storage area knows, the Duplex Fireless Stove made by Durham Manufacturing of Muncie is one of my favorite artifacts. How could you not like this giant, early crockpot? It’s green and heavy and would take up a lot of space in your kitchen. Like today’s crockpot, however, you would fill it with food in the morning and have a fully cooked dinner that evening.

Mostly forgotten except by a small group of devoted fans, this artist was once well known in Muncie. He worked as a janitor, a sign painter, a piano player, and composer. He was even known to handcraft violins. Local citizens knew him best, however, as a wandering painter of landscapes. To pick up some cash for meals and, most likely, a drink or two, Oscar Conley Pickett painted his scenes on cardboard, wooden crates, or even glass.