Minnetrista provides an interactive community

Local cultural center continue hands-on experiences, exhibits for all ages

With all the sidewalks, classrooms and dorm rooms, it can be easy to forget about the nature side of life. However, Minnetrista, a local garden center and cultural museum, allows students to keep things in perspective.

The Minnetrista grounds are open daily. Students can visit the White River Greenway and the new East Lawn Rain Garden.

"It is a nice place to escape and get away from the bustle of campus," Rebecca Holmquist, Minnetrista's vice president of visitor experience, said.

Minnetrista has a long history in Muncie. Minnetrista's 40 acres stand on land from the original F.C. Ball house, home of Ball State's namesake family.

Margaret Ball Petty began developing plans for the cultural museum in 1978. The center opened 10 years later on Dec. 10. For the past 23 years, Minnetrista has been providing Ball State students and the Muncie community a place to expand their knowledge.

One of the current exhibits at the museum is "Robots: The Interactive Exhibitions," which explores the global development of robotics throughout all generations. There are several robots on display and a mural of "Robot City." Through touchscreen and other interactive exhibits, visitors can learn how to make their own robot and even discover what the future holds for robotic counterparts in the "Robot Wall of Fame."

"Dig Set Spike!" is an exhibit that celebrates the history and significance of volleyball in East Central Indiana. It focuses on volleyball from the high school to collegiate levels. Visitors will learn more about volleyball techniques and strategies as well.

"[The exhibit honors] individuals that have been instrumental in the success of volleyball in East Central Indiana, including Don and Steve Shondell," Holmquist said.

One of Minnetrista's biggest events is the weekly Farmers Market. The market offers local produce and food to help fend off the Freshman 15. Vendors also offer local crafts to use as decoration for any dorm room or apartment.

"Most weeks, we have more than 45 vendors and over 2500 visitors," Holmquist said. "You can find wonderful produce, meat, eggs, cheeses and other great products."

Canning or cooking demonstrations are also available on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Through October, the market is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. From November to April, the market will be open every third Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

"After 5 at Minnestrista: Sampling in the Sun" offers the 21-and-over crowd a chance to sample local wine and food on a college budget. On Sept. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., visitors can learn more about types of wines from Wilson Winery and how to pair wines with their meals. Many of the food items used are purchased from vendors at the Farmers Market.

"Our ‘After 5' program offers events that are fun and sometimes quirky," Holmquist said.

Attendees must RSVP by Aug. 29 to be entered in a drawing for a bottle of wine, and they must be at least 21 to attend. Admission is $15.

On Sept. 10, Minnetrista is hosting the Living Lightly Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair begins with a showing of the movie "Tapped," which explores the problems of bottled water. After, speakers will discuss various topics from sustainable decorating to wind and solar systems in different rooms. Art and children's exhibits will be open, along with more than 40 vendors who will be offering sustainable products.

Looking forward to the holiday season, Minnetrista will host its annual Enchanted Luminaria Walk on Dec. 2 and 3. Visitors can walk through the Minnetrista gardens in the evening to view the holiday lighting displays.

"This is a great way to start the holiday season," Holmquist said. 


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