Nalleli Guillen 10/19/21 Nalleli Guillen 10/19/21

Minnetrista Orchards, a Muncie Tradition

The change from summer sun to fall foliage means its apple season at Minnetrista! This time of year, visitors descend on Minnetrista’s Orchard Shop in search of freshly pressed cider or a favorite variety of apple. What our guests may not know however is that, with their purchase, they are taking part in a nearly 100-year-old tradition on our site, one nurtured by a well-known Minnetrista family (but perhaps not the big name family that first comes to mind!).

Jessica Jenkins 10/12/21 Jessica Jenkins 10/12/21

“Mr. Ball Takes the Trains” and lends a hand …

What was intended to be a financial investment – as well as a helping hand – unexpectedly led to George’s control of a large railroad “empire” and brought him into the national spotlight.

Diane Barts 10/1/21 Diane Barts 10/1/21

Muncie’s Amazing Fire Horses

Since it was unrealistic for these two engines, a hook and ladder truck and several hose reels to be pulled by men, horses became a common sight in firehouses. But not just any horse would do.

Susan Smith 9/27/21 Susan Smith 9/27/21

Soapbox Derby

Have you ever seen the paved hill in McCulloch Park and wondered what it was? For several decades that was the site of the soapbox derby races.

Nalleli Guillen 9/23/21 Nalleli Guillen 9/23/21

“All the Fussing with My Face”: Lucina Ball’s Dental Woes of 1887

Who doesn’t dread an emergency trip to the dentist? One grouping of letters recount—quite vividly—Lucina Ball’s dental emergency in 1887. This quirky little drama from the archives, now over 130 years old, is still fascinating and painfully relatable.

Jessica Jenkins 9/14/21 Jessica Jenkins 9/14/21

Small Books, Big Story

Writing in the June 1958 issue of Hobbies magazine, Betty Ball said, “Grown-ups, even more than children, are intrigued by the miniature, and book collectors are no exception. So it was not strange that my father, George Ball … always interested in the unusual and in perfection, should have gathered miniature books.”

Jessica Jenkins 8/30/21 Jessica Jenkins 8/30/21

Fun Finds and Friendships

When Bob asked how he could thank her, she laughingly pointed to a painting of his she admired. “Linda, not that one. I painted it for me.” Not long after, Bob came to visit. He had painted Linda her own copy of the composition – a gift from one friend to another.

Jessica Jenkins 8/23/21 Jessica Jenkins 8/23/21

A Joint Endeavor

Diane Barts 7/28/21 Diane Barts 7/28/21

A TRIP IN THE WAYBACK MACHINE

Have you ever wondered what it was like in Muncie 125 years ago? Well, Muncie may have been a lot of things, but it wasn’t a sleepy little town. Let’s take a look. How about joining me in the Wayback Machine.

Susan Smith 7/9/21 Susan Smith 7/9/21

Summer Fun

Summer is the time for vacations, road trips, picnics, family reunions, and all types of outdoor fun. These activities are well represented in the Heritage Collection and tell a variety of stories along the way.

Jessica Jenkins 7/7/21 Jessica Jenkins 7/7/21

Teaching for Telesales

In early 1983 Bob Ross and WIPB-TV officially came together to begin filming and producing “The Joy of Painting” in Muncie.

Guest User 6/28/21 Guest User 6/28/21

Growing Up at Minnetrista

Katy Maggart has been a Muncie native her entire life and continues her life in Muncie by welcoming her newborn, Lily, into the world in late March. Her Muncie pride doesn’t stop there as she has been working for Minnetrista for 3 years as Communications Manager.

Jessica Jenkins 6/16/21 Jessica Jenkins 6/16/21

Mentor and Mentee

It was through connections with the owner that Chris first met Bob.

Jessica Jenkins 6/7/21 Jessica Jenkins 6/7/21

Portraits and Personalities

How do you “get to know” celebrities, politicians, and your local “movers and shakers”? I know for me, one of the easiest and quickest ways to find out more is by looking at social media.

Diane Barts 6/1/21 Diane Barts 6/1/21

ALL IT TOOK WAS ONE LITTLE SPARK

Susan Smith 5/23/21 Susan Smith 5/23/21

Home Movies

Most people cringe when they hear the phrase “home movies”, imagining hours of boring vacation footage taken by relatives who think they had the most unique and interesting adventures ever experienced.

Nalleli Guillen 4/27/21 Nalleli Guillen 4/27/21

Whistle While You Work (and Remember!)

Sweet and sentimental, what is fascinating about Ruth’s letter is that it wasn’t written about a person. Instead, it was written about “Old Faithful,” the Ball Brothers factory whistle.