Muncie, as well as Ball State, is rich with cultural heritage. According to the Minnetrista archive collection, the five Ball brothers came to Muncie to build the headquarters for the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, which was the world's largest producer of fruit jars. When they established the headquarters here, they decided to purchase some of the land along the north bank of the White River to build their homes. They called the land "Minnetrista," which means, "a gathering place by the water." The headquarters are currently located in Denver, but the Ball Co. is now known for making aluminum beverage cans and metal cans for the food packing industry. They are also a major space technology firm and helped repair the Hubble telescope.
"Visiting and learning about the Ball mansions can give students a great sense of Muncie pride," Jessica Myrick, public relations specialist at the Minnetrista Cultural Center, said. "It's a great way to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of Muncie, as well as Ball State University."
Lucius L. and Sarah Ball mansion
The L.L. Ball home can be found at Minnetrista and is currently used mainly for educational programming. Some of Minnetrista's educational staff members are housed there. It has a children's garden, and a variety of nature programs for families executed from this house.
Frank C. and Elizabeth Ball mansion
The F.C. Ball home was the house originally named "Minnetrista," but in 1967, a fire destroyed it. According to the Minnetrista archive collection, the Minnetrista Cultural Center was built in its place to "create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of East Central Indiana." The columns that stand at the entrance of the cultural center, as well as the columns which line the colonnade garden at the G.A. and Frances Ball mansion, are from the original house.
George A. and Frances Ball mansion
The G.A. Ball home is also known as Oakhurst mansion on Minnetrista's grounds. According to the Minnetrista archive collection, the property developed into a small Victorian flower garden, which their daughter, who loved tending to the garden, thought was full of nymphs and fairies. Each year, many programs and activities take place, such as the Garden Fair, "Spirit of Oakhurst" and "Humpback Barn Festival." There is also a "Midsummer Night Luminary Walk" and an "Enchanted Luminary Walk" in the winter for the community to enjoy.
William C. and Emma Ball mansion
The W.C Ball home, also known as Maplewood, is located on Minnetrista's grounds, but it is no longer owned by Minnetrista. According to the Minnetrista archive collection, the house is used today as the Ball Foster guest house. In 1996, Ball Corp. sold its glass-making operations to Saint Gobain, a French company. At the same time, Saint Gobain bought the Foster-Forbes glass making operation. The two merged to become Ball-Foster with headquarters in Muncie. Today, Ball Foster operates more than 20 glass plants, making it the largest glass making company in the world.
Edmund B. and Bertha Ball mansion
The E.B. Ball home, also known as Nebosham, is owned by Ball State to provide space for social and educational programs offered through the university. "This Ball home aims to serve as an educational bridge or connection between Ball State University and the local community by offering activities and programs mostly in the arts, humanities and social sciences," wrote Thomas A. Sargent in his book, "The House and Its History." "They offer classes in these subjects that usually differ in length or content from those taught in academic departments on campus." They offer classes such as "The Classic Art of Beginning Calligraphy," and hold forum discussions with distinguished community and university speakers.
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