Join us at the Ball State Alumni Center for this local history program hosted by the E. B. & Bertha C. Ball Center. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call 765-285-8975 to register.

Description: For generations, holiday shopping in Muncie was more than a seasonal task—it was an experience filled with tradition, excitement, and community spirit. Downtown once sparkled with festive lights, and families crowded the sidewalks to admire elaborate window displays at Ball Stores and other local retail establishments. This program explores the history and experiences of holiday shopping in the “Magic City” through the combined resources of the Ball State University Libraries, Delaware County Historical Society, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, and the Muncie Public Library.

Presenters: 

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

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

Susan Smith, Archivist, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

Cody Sprunger, Archivist, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University Libraries

Karen Vincent, Executive Director, Delaware County Historical Society and Delaware County Historian