The Long Tangled History of the Benton and the Beanery

By Jummy Aremu

History of the Benton

The Benton Museum has a rich history. The building that housed the original museum was built in 1920 and was called “The Beanery”, which was the campus’s main dining hall until the mid-1940s. It was originally was designed as a gothic structure.The formation of the Benton began with College President Charles Lewis Beach’s death. When he died in 1933, he gave his holdings of American art to the University, along with a trust fund for future acquisitions. It was his plan to "instill and cultivate an appreciation of works of art in the student body of the College and in such other persons as may avail themselves of said collection." The Benton officially opened in 1967.

Max Klinger. A Glove. 1881. Etching. http://www.flickr.com/photos/logicalrealist/7989471839/

The museum was later named in honor of Connecticut senator and University trustee William Benton. His family donated some of his collection of Reginald Marsh paintings and works by other 20th century American artists.

The Museum has a collection of more than 5,500 works including paintings, drawings, watercolors, prints, photographs, and sculptures. It includes works from artists such as Henry Ward Ranger, Emil Carlson, George Bellows, , Rembrandt Peale, and Kiki Smith. In the past years the gallery added features such as the Evelyn Simon Gilman Gallery, a members lounge, a Café and a store.

The picture above is from Max Klinger’s “A Glove” (1881) which is a sequence of etchings. This print is currently featured in the collection : "The Dark Side of Life": 19th-Century Narrative Cycles by Rethel, Klinger, and Kollwitz. The exhibition is currently running from September 4-October 14, 2012, and the reception is on Thursday, September 6, 5–7:30 pm.

The Beanery The name “The beanery” comes full circle. In 2010, “Café Muse” was renamed “The Beanery.” The Beanery served as the main dining hall for students in the Benton building until the mid 1940s.

A 1920’s college catalogue described the then state-of-the-art dining hall: “The kitchens, ovens, cookers, potato peelers, bread mixers, dish washers, and other similar equipment are installed on the lower floor. Cooking is done chiefly with steam from the central heating plant. Storage capacity is provided for a year’s supply of staple foods. The refrigerating system is modern and ample. On the cafeteria plan, some four hundred persons can be served.” From 1962 to 1972, the building underwent a modern transformation.

Today at the Beanery, there are over 22 different soda flavors, and specialty lattes such as “Nutty Ella”, “Apple Pie”, “Tropical Buzz” and “Paddy O’ Bean.” They also have a “Tea for Two” complete with afternoon tea and treats.

Hours for the store & The Beanery are :Tuesday-Friday 8:30 am-4 pmSaturday & Sunday 1-4 pm They are closed October 20-21 & November 17-26

Upcoming Events at the Benton

Habermann, Franz. Prospect des Plazes vor dem Rath Haus zu Boston. 1780. engraving and etching. http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6056086224/

This Thursday, October 4, at 12:15 pm, there will be a “New Acquisitions” Gallery Talk. Two prints by the 18th-century German engraver Franz Habermann will be shown for the first time. The works, which date to the 1770s, are known as "perspective views." The collection includes depictions of scenes from the Revolutionary War period.

Museum HoursTuesday-Friday 12-4:30 pmSaturday & Sunday 1-4:30 pmClosed October 16-22 & November 17-26

Works Citedhttp://www.thebenton.org/index.phphttp://today.uconn.edu/blog/2010/04/benton-coffee-shop-renamed-the-beanery/http://uconnwelcomemat.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/the-beanery/Pictures on Slides 2,4,5- Taken by mePicture on slide 3-http://www.flickr.com/photos/logicalrealist/7989471839/Picture on Slide 6-http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6056086224/