38 Past Events at E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

America's Hometown Band at E.B. & Bertha Ball Center

With a nod to the August solar eclipse excitement, this year's annual Jazz Under the Stars concert features Big Band titles that salute the skies above - like "Here Comes the Sun", "Old Devil Moon", and "Star Dust", and more. A special musical evening right here in your Muncie hometown - free admission and open to all.

The celestial notes begin at 7 pm, outdoors at the E.B. & Bertha Ball Center in Muncie. Some seating provided; lawn blankets/chairs welcome. Free parking at Delaware County fairgrounds across the street.

Everyone is invited to take in this Free Big Band Jazz concert, performed by top talents from America’s Hometown Band.

“Meet Me on Broadway” echoes the tunes of the best in musical theatre – great composers like Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, John Kander, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter.

Bring the lawn seating, and get ready to enjoy a very special evening in your home town.

One of the biggest challenges facing watercolor artists of all levels, is how to fix mistakes. In this class you’ll learn techniques that will allow you to fix and improve your artwork. You may bring in one of your own paintings if you have one or Ann will show you how to get started on a fresh new masterpiece. open to all skill levels.

Instructor: Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg 

Limited to 10 students. Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Tracing your roots is a way to document history and family information that you can pass along to future generations. With many resources available online, genealogy is becoming popular and easier to accomplish. This class is for those with little or no previous knowledge of genealogy. 

Topics covered each session:
March 5—Genealogy 101: Will focus on general standards (i.e., how genealogists write dates among other things) and discuss how to get started with your family tree.
March 12—Forms and Documents: Will discuss census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, land records, and etc., as well as the type of information that can be obtained from these forms.
March 19—Organization: Will examine several different ways to organize all the information that you find.
March 26—Software and Free Websites: Will take a look at three different software programs on the market as well as some of the free websites available to help you do your research.

Instructor: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

Limited to 20 guests. No charge - Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

In fall 1902, Indianapolis police uncovered a prolific graverobbing ring operating across the city. Unlike graverobbers of yore plundering cemeteries for treasure, the Indianapolis ghouls were after fresh corpses; cadavers desperately needed by the city’s medical colleges for anatomical training. It was estimated that at least 300 bodies were ‘resurrected’ alone from Marion County in 1902. 

Chris Flook explores this history in his new book Indianapolis Grave-robbing. The presentation provides an overview of the subsequent trials of the graverobbers and a discussion of how the story intersected with Delaware County. Includes reception and book signing.

Author/Presenter: Chris Flook, associate lecturer, Department of Media, Ball State University; board member, Delaware County Historical Society

Limited to 40 guests. No charge - Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

Tracing your roots is a way to document history and family information that you can pass along to future generations. With many resources available online, genealogy is becoming popular and easier to accomplish. This class is for those will little or no previous knowledge of genealogy. 

Topics covered each session:
March 5—Genealogy 101: Will focus on general standards (i.e., how genealogists write dates among other things) and discuss how to get started with your family tree.
March 12—Forms and Documents: Will discuss census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, land records, and etc., as well as the type of information that can be obtained from these forms.
March 19—Organization: Will examine several different ways to organize all the information that you find.
March 26—Software and Free Websites: Will take a look at three different software programs on the market as well as some of the free websites available to help you do your research.

Instructor: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

Limited to 20 guests. No charge - Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

Tracing your roots is a way to document history and family information that you can pass along to future generations. With many resources available online, genealogy is becoming popular and easier to accomplish. This class is for those will little or no previous knowledge of genealogy. 

Topics covered each session:
March 5—Genealogy 101: Will focus on general standards (i.e., how genealogists write dates among other things) and discuss how to get started with your family tree.
March 12—Forms and Documents: Will discuss census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, land records, and etc., as well as the type of information that can be obtained from these forms.
March 19—Organization: Will examine several different ways to organize all the information that you find.
March 26—Software and Free Websites: Will take a look at three different software programs on the market as well as some of the free websites available to help you do your research.

Instructor: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

Limited to 20 guests. No charge - Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

Tracing your roots is a way to document history and family information that you can pass along to future generations. With many resources available online, genealogy is becoming popular and easier to accomplish. This class is for those will little or no previous knowledge of genealogy. 

Topics covered each session:
March 5—Genealogy 101: Will focus on general standards (i.e., how genealogists write dates among other things) and discuss how to get started with your family tree.
March 12—Forms and Documents: Will discuss census records, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, land records, and etc., as well as the type of information that can be obtained from these forms.
March 19—Organization: Will examine several different ways to organize all the information that you find.
March 26—Software and Free Websites: Will take a look at three different software programs on the market as well as some of the free websites available to help you do your research.

Instructor: Karen Good, board member and chair of Ancestor Hunters, Delaware County Historical Society; and the Indiana County Genealogist

Limited to 20 guests. No charge - Reservations required. Please reserve at https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Cost: $10
Limited to 40 participants
Reservations Required
Please reserve online at   
https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057       

Listen to three short talks before enjoying an afternoon tea in the Ball Family mansion. Guests will have an opportunity to see three floors of holiday decor and view all the beautiful needlepointed pieces featured in the living room.

Program is a two-day workshop, March 27-28, 1-3 p.m. Class is led by Ann Johnson, renowned local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg. She will guide artists in crafting a truly unique world of creative expression. In her two-day watercolor workshop, participants will explore a blend of drawing, painting, stamp-making, printing, and collage to create imaginative and refined portraits. These artworks not only showcase artistic finesse but also reflect personal growth, leaving a lasting impression long after the workshop concludes. Open to all skill levels.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Class meets three Tuesdays, June 3-17, 2025; 2:30-4 p.m.

Designed for those who have a desire to write down their memories to keep, for themselves, for family, or to publish. If you’ve started a memoir but need to get more chapters, this class is for you. If you’ve always wanted to write down pieces of your life, but had no idea where to start, this class is for you.

In this three-session class, you'll create a series of vignettes in either prose or poetry - the choice is yours. You will learn about Hermit Crab Essays, Braided Essays, and Lyric Essays. Guided by prompts designed to "capture your life," you'll bring your memories to the page while sharing your work, ideas, questions, and discoveries along the way. Open to beginning and intermediate writers. 

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Tuesday, September 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
Held at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center
No Charge—Reservations Required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057   (under “History”)

When Bracken Library opened on September 9, 1975, the move of thousands of books, periodicals, and microfilm from the library in North Quad was organized by Phyllis Harland, head of the Division of General Collections for Ball State University Libraries.

In its 50-year history, scores of other notable women have worked behind the scenes to make Bracken Library the research and learning center of campus. This program will highlight stories of some of its librarians, archivists, catalogers, and other staff and some of the unique collections and resources they curated and preserved. 

Presenter: Melissa Gentry, Supervisor, Map Collection, Ball State University Libraries

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Wednesday, October 1, 2-3 p.m.
Held at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center
No Charge---Reservations Required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057   (under “History”)

Discover the rich, 150-year story of Muncie Public Library — a legacy shaped as much by the people of Muncie as by the books on its shelves. From its founding in 1875, Muncie Public Library has been shaped by the vision, advocacy, and support of the Muncie-Center Township community. Residents pushed for the creation of a public library and later championed the development of neighborhood branches and forward-thinking initiatives. This program explores how the library has grown in response to the community’s evolving needs — from literacy and learning to access to technology and enrichment opportunities. At every step, MPL has reflected the values and voices of Muncie, continually adapting to serve as a dynamic hub for information, innovation, and inclusion. Come hear the inspiring story of how a community built its library — and how that library, in turn, helped build a stronger community.

Presenter: Sara McKinley, Carnegie Library Manager and Archivist, Muncie Public Library