The document summarizes the history between the Benton Museum and the Beanery building in Storrs, Connecticut. Originally called the Beanery, the building was the campus's main dining hall until the 1940s and then housed the Benton Museum from the 1960s. It was renamed the Beanery in 2010 when the on-campus cafe changed its name. The Benton Museum has a collection of over 5,500 American artworks established by donations from Charles Beach and William Benton and hosts special exhibits and events.

1. The Long Tangled History
Between The Benton and The
Beanery, Located in Storrs, CT
By Jummy Aremu

2. History of the Benton
The Benton Museum has a rich history. The building that housed the original museum
built in 1920, 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 has 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.” From 1962 to 1972, the building
underwent a modern transformation.
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.”

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

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 Jummy Aremu
Picture on Slide 3-http://www.flickr.com/photos/logicalrealist/7989471839/
Picture on Slide 6-http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6056086224/