G.A. Ball Home, Oakhurst
A Gathering Place By the Water
Did you know that Minnetrista means a ‘gathering place
by the water”? How much do you know about the influential family responsible
for the Ball jars, Ball State University, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and
Minnetrista? Minnetrista is part of the legacy of the Ball family.
Minnetrista, "a gathering place by the water," takes its name from the original F. C. Ball home that once stood at the location of our Center Building. Our name now applies to our entire community, as Minnetrista keeps this name alive through programming, workshops, and exhibits, creating a gathering place for all.
Minnetrista: A Ball Family Legacy
In
1887, the Ball family moved its glass manufacturing business from Buffalo, New
York to Muncie. Ball Brothers Glass Company became one of America's best known
manufacturers of canning jars.
The Ball family purchased most of the land along the north bank of White River
between Wheeling and Granville pikes in 1893. The name chosen by the family for
the property was taken from a Sioux word, "mna" (pronounced mini)
which means "water," and combined with the English word,
"tryst," to form "Minnetrista," or, "a gathering place
by the water."
The origin of the cultural center dates back to 1978, when Margaret Ball Petty wrote to her cousin Edmund F. Ball, suggesting that the Ball Brothers Foundation provide a museum in which to exhibit fine art.
A four-year study of the
cultural needs of East Central Indiana determined that top priority should be
given to the construction of a state-of-the-art facility to preserve the
cultural heritage of the region. Ground was broken March 14, 1987 and
Minnetrista Cultural Center opened December 10, 1988.
Minnetrista has always been a gathering place. From
Native Americans to settlers to families, past and present, this is a place of
community – for socializing, learning, reflection, entertainment and
recreation. Minnetrista is a hospitable place where families and groups can
experience the rich heritage of the region by connecting with people, places
and events through authentic activities and exhibits
