Dedication Ceremony for State Historical Marker Honors Muncie's Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company

Minnetrista will host a public dedication ceremony for the placement of a state historical marker May 28 at 2:30 p.m. in Muncie, Indiana. The ceremony will take place at the Batch Tower located near the intersection of Macedonia Avenue and Memorial Drive.

The marker honors Muncie's place in glass manufacturing history, in addition to the contributions made by the Ball Brothers to Muncie, Indiana, and the world. The marker reads:

"Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company - Company incorporated in New York 1886 to manufacture glassware (particularly fruit jars). Brothers Edmund, Frank, George, William, and Lucius Ball all were trustees. Company--promised money, land, and free natural gas --came to Muncie; first glassware produced here 1888. Led nation in production of fruit jars by 1900. Ball Brothers expanded its operations in Muncie and into other states. Company diversified holdings into plastics, rubber, and aerospace technology. Closed Muncie plant 1962; moved corporate offices 1998. Company and owners contributed to the state and nation's economy and culture in many significant ways."

Other local endeavors by the Ball brothers included participation in and support of the Muncie/Delaware County Community Foundation; the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA); Ball Memorial Hospital; Indiana State Normal School, which became Ball State Teachers College in 1929; then Ball State University in 1965. The Ball brothers' children became the founders of Minnetrista Cultural Center, which opened to the public in 1988.

For more information about the Ball brothers, visit www.minnetrista.net/history. For more information about the state Historical Marker Program, and other resources about Indiana, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau's website at www.IN.gov/history.

Located along historic White River, Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, a modern museum facility, an historic home, Nature Area, numerous sculptures, and a portion of the White River Greenway. Minnetrista serves East Central Indiana with dynamic community activities and exhibits that honor and reflect its natural and cultural heritage. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.