Megan Barry - Minnetrista

Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year. 

Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.

During this multi-day event, children are encouraged to come dressed in their best magical faerie attire as they imagine and play in an enchanted faerie wonderland. Families can enjoy games, crafts, a theatre show, live music and dancing, a bubble garden, and more throughout our enchanted Oakhurst Gardens. Plus, concessions will be available to keep all of our hungry faeries happy.

During this multi-day event, children are encouraged to come dressed in their best magical faerie attire as they imagine and play in an enchanted faerie wonderland. Families can enjoy games, crafts, a theatre show, live music and dancing, a bubble garden, and more throughout our enchanted Oakhurst Gardens. Plus, concessions will be available to keep all of our hungry faeries happy.

Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year. 

Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.

During this multi-day event, children are encouraged to come dressed in their best magical faerie attire as they imagine and play in an enchanted faerie wonderland. Families can enjoy games, crafts, a theatre show, live music and dancing, a bubble garden, and more throughout our enchanted Oakhurst Gardens. Plus, concessions will be available to keep all of our hungry faeries happy.

The Sensory-friendly event is designed to welcome our Faerie friends with sensory sensitives to Oakhurst Gardens to experience the magic in a calmer environment. Join us for quiet music, an optional live theatre show, and character interactions, or stroll through the beautiful flowers and decorations.

During this multi-day event, children are encouraged to come dressed in their best magical faerie attire as they imagine and play in an enchanted faerie wonderland. Families can enjoy games, crafts, a theatre show, live music and dancing, a bubble garden, and more throughout our enchanted Oakhurst Gardens. Plus, concessions will be available to keep all of our hungry faeries happy.

Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year. 

Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.

Visitors will feel like they are stepping into a beloved children’s storybook as they encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this nature-inspired experience. Designed to help build confidence and cultivate scientific curiosity, children will discover and learn about animals that emerge in their neighborhoods and local forests after the sun goes down.

June 7 through November 2, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 1 & 2

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Good Night Forest is organized and produced by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, with support from Ball Brothers Foundation and George and Frances Ball Foundation.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jun 7, 2025 to Nov 2, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

The narwhal, with its unique spiral tusk, has inspired legend and fascinated people across cultures for centuries. Take a deep dive into the narwhal's Arctic world to explore what makes this mysterious animal and its changing ecosystem so important. Through first-hand accounts from scientists and Inuit community members, the exhibition will reveal how traditional knowledge and experience, coupled with the latest scientific research, heighten our understanding of these fascinating animals—and our changing global climate.

July 12, 2025 – September 28, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 3

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jul 12, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Visitors will feel like they are stepping into a beloved children’s storybook as they encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this nature-inspired experience. Designed to help build confidence and cultivate scientific curiosity, children will discover and learn about animals that emerge in their neighborhoods and local forests after the sun goes down.

June 7 through November 2, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 1 & 2

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Good Night Forest is organized and produced by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, with support from Ball Brothers Foundation and George and Frances Ball Foundation.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jun 7, 2025 to Nov 2, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

The narwhal, with its unique spiral tusk, has inspired legend and fascinated people across cultures for centuries. Take a deep dive into the narwhal's Arctic world to explore what makes this mysterious animal and its changing ecosystem so important. Through first-hand accounts from scientists and Inuit community members, the exhibition will reveal how traditional knowledge and experience, coupled with the latest scientific research, heighten our understanding of these fascinating animals—and our changing global climate.

July 12, 2025 – September 28, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 3

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jul 12, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from experienced Certified Ross Instructors and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

August 7; 6–9 p.m.
Location: Bob Ross Experience Studio in the L.L. Ball Home
Cost: $75 | Member Discounts Apply

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: Admission to the Bob Ross Experience exhibition is not included with workshop registration, and all attendees must be registered to participate. Contact our front desk at 765.282.4848 for more information.

Visitors will feel like they are stepping into a beloved children’s storybook as they encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this nature-inspired experience. Designed to help build confidence and cultivate scientific curiosity, children will discover and learn about animals that emerge in their neighborhoods and local forests after the sun goes down.

June 7 through November 2, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 1 & 2

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Good Night Forest is organized and produced by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, with support from Ball Brothers Foundation and George and Frances Ball Foundation.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jun 7, 2025 to Nov 2, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

The narwhal, with its unique spiral tusk, has inspired legend and fascinated people across cultures for centuries. Take a deep dive into the narwhal's Arctic world to explore what makes this mysterious animal and its changing ecosystem so important. Through first-hand accounts from scientists and Inuit community members, the exhibition will reveal how traditional knowledge and experience, coupled with the latest scientific research, heighten our understanding of these fascinating animals—and our changing global climate.

July 12, 2025 – September 28, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 3

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jul 12, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from experienced Certified Ross Instructors and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

August 8; 6–9 p.m.
Location: Bob Ross Experience Studio in the L.L. Ball Home
Cost: $75 | Member Discounts Apply

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: Admission to the Bob Ross Experience exhibition is not included with workshop registration, and all attendees must be registered to participate. Contact our front desk at 765.282.4848 for more information.

Visitors will feel like they are stepping into a beloved children’s storybook as they encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this nature-inspired experience. Designed to help build confidence and cultivate scientific curiosity, children will discover and learn about animals that emerge in their neighborhoods and local forests after the sun goes down.

June 7 through November 2, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 1 & 2

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Good Night Forest is organized and produced by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, with support from Ball Brothers Foundation and George and Frances Ball Foundation.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jun 7, 2025 to Nov 2, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

The narwhal, with its unique spiral tusk, has inspired legend and fascinated people across cultures for centuries. Take a deep dive into the narwhal's Arctic world to explore what makes this mysterious animal and its changing ecosystem so important. Through first-hand accounts from scientists and Inuit community members, the exhibition will reveal how traditional knowledge and experience, coupled with the latest scientific research, heighten our understanding of these fascinating animals—and our changing global climate.

July 12, 2025 – September 28, 2025

Location: Center Building, Gallery 3

Cost: Included with your admission ticket

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Jul 12, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025 and happens every:

Wednesdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Thursdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Fridays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Saturdays: 9:00am - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Sundays: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: EDT

Calling all educators! Enjoy a day of discovery, connection, and celebration. Teacher Appreciation Day is your chance to explore everything Minnetrista has to offer—engaging exhibitions, interactive learning spaces, nature trails, and more—all for free. Whether you're planning field trips, scouting lesson tie-ins, or simply recharging before the school year. Come get inspired and envision how our campus can be a living classroom.

August 9; 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: Campus Wide

Free for Teachers and Their Families

Preregistration is highly encouraged.

Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year. 

Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.

Bring your little ones to Storytime Saturday! Join one of our experience guides for a cozy storytime perfect for children 5 and under and their families. Each month, we’ll feature a special seasonal story that celebrates the time of year.  

Saturdays; 11:30 a.m.

Location: Betty’s Cabin

Free Community Activity

Betty’s Cabin Activities are presented in partnership with Patterson Block Muncie.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event

Runs from Aug 2, 2025 to Dec 27, 2025 and happens every:

Saturdays: 11:30am - 11:50am Timezone: EDT