Art and Heritage Place: Whitby Gift Shop & Haehn Museum
Art and Heritage Place was built in 2000 as a place to commemorate the tradition and history of the arts and is open to the public. It covers 9,600 square feet of space and houses the Haehn Museum and Whitby Gift Shop.
Regular Hours
Tuesday–Friday: 12–4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Visits outside regular hours are arranged, as requested. For more information, call (320) 363-7113 or (320) 363-7100.
Whitby Gift Shop
Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery boasts a large variety of items for sale, many handmade by the sisters. You will find items for infants, cards for all occasions, jewelry, pottery, religious items, scarves and artwork.
Featured Items
Like a Mustard Seed: A History of the First Benedictine Women’s Monastery in North America, written by Sister Ephrem Hollermann, is available for purchase in Whitby Gift Shop. This book traces the history of the Benedictine community from which Saint Benedict’s Monastery was founded. S. Ephrem shares: “It was a blessed opportunity for me to further my conviction that the full story of American Catholicism will not be known until the stories of women religious have been lifted out of the shadows of mainstream history into their rightful place as stalwart shapers of an American Catholic identity and ethos.”
Contact
For more information, contact:
JoAnne Backes, OSB
(320) 363-7113
jbackes001@csbsju.edu
Gen Maiers, OSB
(320) 363-7113
gmaiers@csbsju.edu
“By the Work of Her Hands”
Monastic Artisans
Artisans have always had a place in Benedictine monastic tradition. In Chapter 57 of his Rule, Saint Benedict speaks of the desired humility in the community’s artisans. They may create items which are useful or pieces which grace the monastery in beauty. They pursue their craft for the sheer love of doing it—to make an article of beauty and to share the fruits of their work with others. Sister artisans paint, sew, quill, tat and make paper, scarves, candles and a host of other items. These art pieces, both beautiful and useful, are sold at the monastery gift shop in the Art and Heritage Place at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and Saint Scholastica Convent Gift Shop.
Artisans in their creations, and all who view or use them, are encouraged and motivated by Benedict’s comment on the role of artisans: “That in all things, God may be glorified” (1 Peter 4:11 quoted in the Rule of Benedict 7:9).
Reflections From Monastic Artisans
“Making pressed flower designs for cards is a spiritual unfolding for me as I observe the entire lifecycle of the flower. It nourishes my spirit and helps me grow into a better person.”
“Besides the satisfaction of being relaxed when busy with my hands in crocheting, embroidering and cross-stitching, there’s also a swelling of pride in the talent of our community.”
“My love of beauty is satisfied in working with colorful floss, creating beautiful embroidery. Also, it is a quiet, contemplative activity.”
“Capturing nature on paper in photography gives me a feeling of an intense presence of God in flowers and changing seasons.”
“In quilling, a lost art, I can use my imagination. I can quill, be quiet and be in the presence of God—all at the same time.”
