News

Ruthmere's Summer Program for Children and Families

On Saturday, July 17, Ruthmere Museum presents its annual Children's Summer Garden Party on the museum grounds at 302 East Beardsley Avenue from 1 p.m. to 3 pm.

The outdoor Garden Party will feature storyteller Joan Girton, old fashioned games and 'Notcho Trouble' the clown. Children will be invited to do craft activities, enjoy face painting and a snack. Admission to the event is free, but RSVP is requested. 574-264-0330.

Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley, founders of Ruthmere in 1908-1910, were among the leading citizens of Elkhart at the turn of the century, and Ruthmere was a center for social gatherings. We invite you to turn back the clock and spend the afternoon with your children enjoying the beauty of Ruthmere's grounds and gardens as well as the planned activities. In addition, guided tours will be offered throughout the afternoon at a reduced rate.

While on the property visit Ruthmere's beautiful 30' x 30' quilt garden featuring a tulip design. The quilt garden is one of 17 throughout Elkhart County and is part of the nationally-recognized Heritage Trail Route.

Firstenberger named Ruthmere Executive Director

The Board of Trustees for the Ruthmere Foundation and Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Elkhart native Bill Firstenberger to the position Executive Director. Firstenberger is a 1985 graduate of Jimtown High School, 1989 graduate from the University of Notre Dame, and a 2000 masters graduate from Indiana University.

“I am thrilled to lead Ruthmere through this exciting period of recovery and rebirth in Elkhart. The country is looking to Elkhart to rise to the challenge both in our economy and in our citizens’ quality of life. Ruthmere has a strong role to play in these goals–not only in telling the history of Elkhart’s past, but also by inspiring the next generation of innovators, business leaders, artists, teachers–every citizen of Elkhart.”

Firstenberger’s museum career began in 1990 when he arrived on staff of the Northern Indiana Historical Society prior to the public opening of Copshaholm, the Oliver Mansion. He remained with the Northern Indiana Center for History during their rapid growth in the 1990s serving as Curator of Collections.

In 1998, Firstenberger accepted the position of inaugural Director/Curator at the Billy Sunday Historic Site Museum in Winona Lake, Indiana. Playing off Billy Sunday’s baseball career, he has become a tireless promoter of vintage baseball events to educate the public about the roots of the game. In 2005, the University of Iowa Press published his biography, In Rare Form: A Pictorial History of Baseball Evangelist Billy Sunday.

In 2000, Firstenberger established Museumcroft, a national museum consulting network – to date Museumcroft has completed 28 projects across the country. Immediately prior to accepting the Ruthmere position, Firstenberger also served as the Director of Interpretive Operations for OnCell Systems, Inc., a technology company which develops self-guided cell/smartphone tours. He has served on numerous Boards and as a speaker at cultural conferences.

Firstenberger concluded, “Ruthmere, like Elkhart, is already a great place, but both can be even better. I’ve come back to my home town to make a difference in our community with Ruthmere leading the way.”

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Coffee on the Piazza begins May 29th

Did you ever wonder what it would have been like to live in one of Elkhart’s grandest homes? Now you can enjoy your Saturday morning coffee at Ruthmere with Coffee on the Piazza. This elegant 1910 Beaux Arts Mansion, overlooking the confluence of the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers, was the home of Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley, descendants of Elkhart’s founder Havilah Beardsley. The couple began the project to build their dream home with architect E. Hill Turnock in 1908, completing the house in 1910.

Coffee on the Piazza welcomes the community to linger at Ruthmere, peruse the newspaper or magazine, and savor a bottomless cup of coffee. It is an invitation to slow down and start the day by enjoying the beautiful architecture and grounds of Ruthmere. Coffee on the Piazza is served every Saturday morning starting on May 29th from 9:30am – 12:00am. Prices are $ 2.00 for members and $3.00 for non-members for a bottomless cup of coffee. Juice, bottled water and biscotti are available for sale. Newspapers and magazines are available to read, or feel free to bring your own if preferred.

Admission to the grounds and gardens is free during Coffee on the Piazza. Tours will be offered on the hour at 10:00 & 11:00 as well as 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 pm. Regular tours prices are $ 8.00 per adults; $7.00 per senior; $5.00 per college student; $3.00 per child k-12th grade; and children under 5 are free.

If you would like more information about this event or Ruthmere Museum, please contact 574-264-0330 or visit our website at http://www.ruthmere.org.

Ruthmere is proud to present an exhibition of Imperial Russian porcelain. These stunning treasures represent almost 300 years of Romanov family history, from Catherine the Great through Nicholas II and Alexandra. The majority are hand-painted. The Imperial Russian porcelain is on loan from the collection of Raymond F. Piper, the largest privately owned collection of this type in the United States.  These important works of art may be seen throughout the mansion when Ruthmere reopens on April 1, 2010.

Confluence: The Ruthmere Writers' Group meets monthly on the third Saturday afternoon of each month at 2 pm.  Admission is free. Writers and those interested in writing are invited to bring a writing sample or a favorite work by another author to share in an encouraging environment. The group is facilitated by poetry Professor Emerita Darlene Mathis Eddy. See the calendar for meeting dates.

How You Can Help: Contributions to the Havilah Beardsley House Fund will go toward the acquisition and restoration of this significant local landmark. Contributions may be made to The Ruthmere Foundation, Inc. or through the Elkhart County Community Foundation. Your gift will be acknowledged, with your permission, in the Ruthmere Record newsletter and at an on-site location. Major donors receive special recognition opportunities. The Elkhart County Community Foundation has generously contributed $25,000 to support the Havilah Beardsley House restoration.

Your contribution, which may be deductible, can be sent to: Ruthmere, 302 E. Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana 46514. If you prefer, it can also be made through the Elkhart County Community Foundation. Please call Ruthmere for detailed information at (574) 264-0330.