The Benton Museum was originally housed in a building called the Beanery, which served as the campus dining hall until the 1940s. The museum was established in 1967 with a collection of American art donated by College President Charles Beach and later named for Senator William Benton, whose family also donated works. The museum has over 5,500 pieces in its collection and hosts special exhibitions. The on-site cafe was recently renamed The Beanery to recall the building's history.

1. The Long Tangled History of
the Benton and the Beanery
By Jummy Aremu

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 pm
Saturday & Sunday 1-4 pm
They are closed October 20-21 & November 17-26

6. Upcoming Events at the Benton
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 Hours
Tuesday-Friday 12-4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 1-4:30 pm
Closed October 16-22 & November
17-26
Habermann, Franz. Prospect des Plazes vor dem Rath Haus zu Boston. 1780.
engraving and etching.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6056086224/

7. Works Cited
http://www.thebenton.org/index.php
http://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 me
Picture on slide 3-http://www.flickr.com/photos/logicalrealist/7989471839/
Picture on Slide 6-http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6056086224/