As the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, we are evaluating the situation on a day-by-day basis to help do our part in keeping Central Minnesota healthy. The Art and Heritage Place is closed to visitors until further notice.
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. The gallery is home to an eclectic collection of art either created by the sisters or selected from the sisters’ heritage collection. Some are available to purchase.
For more information, contact:
JoAnne Backes, OSB
(320) 363-7113
jbackes001@csbsju.edu
Gen Maiers, OSB
(320) 363-7113
gmaiers@csbsju.edu
Now Offering Curbside Pick-Up!
We are still closed to visitors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy some of your favorite items from Whitby Gift Shop. Beginning Saturday, June 13, items from the gift shop will be available for purchase and curbside pick-up!
If there is something you would like to purchase, call the gift shop at (320) 363-7113 to request your item and arrange a time to come pick it up (excluding Sundays). When you arrive, call the shop to inform the staff that you are outside and ready. You can pay with cash, a check or a credit card. If no one answers the phone, call Sister Gen Maiers at (320) 339-9974. Thank you for supporting our sister artisans during this time!
Haehn Museum
The Haehn Museum is home to nearly 7,000 artifacts, dating back to 1857, which document the lives and ministries of the Sisters of Saint Benedict. Exhibits capture and portray the strong cultural, social and religious influence the Benedictine sisters have had in their ministries locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, both past and present. The museum was named after Sylvester and Jacquie Haehn, who were major donors for its construction.
Since the opening of the Art and Heritage Place, visitors have come from all 50 United States and approximately 60 countries. Most of the visitors are from Minnesota and find they learn something new about the sisters and the monastery with each visit. School groups, college classes, adult groups, organizations and individuals are welcome. Visits outside regular hours are arranged, as requested. Come, join us!
Upcoming Exhibit
The opening of our upcoming exhibit will depend on the coronavirus crisis. Stay tuned for details!
For more information, contact:
Moira Wild, OSB
Director of the Haehn Museum
(320) 363-7098
mwild@csbsju.edu
Enjoy some highlights and testimonials from our previous exhibit, “It’s All God’s Work.” This exhibit featured the art needlework department of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, which was active for 101 years. It was so popular that we extended its original year-long display for a second year!
Testimonials
Here are some of the things visitors have said about “It’s All God’s Work”:
“Very relaxing to see such beautiful artwork.”
“Truly a gift from God.”
“Stunning, a gift of the Spirit.”
“I felt the presence of God.”
“Very good to spend time here.”
“St. George!!! Way to go, George!”
“Delightful, breathtaking.”
“Very impressive.”
“Visual and informative.”
From the Monastery Museum
The Paschal Lamb has ever been a dominant figure in liturgical art. The art needlework collection of the monastery museum treasures many examples of the Paschal Lamb. The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) teach that the sacrificial animal is to be a year old and “unblemished.” This victim for sacrifice is to be slaughtered and offered to God for petitions, forgiveness, reparation, thanksgiving, blessings and compliance with the Jewish law.
Christ gave Himself as the sacrifice supreme in the New Testament. His sacrifice pleads for the same and MORE today. This intricate needlework piece (a burse) of the Paschal Lamb holds samples of so many stitches: the split and short stitch, the chenille and satin stitch, couched sections holding the Japanese gold thread in place and several rows of French knots.
We who follow that Paschal Lamb today still join our petitions to the traditional intentions as we work together to bring healing, health and new life to our world today. May you be strengthened and blessed by the God who hears and loves us.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers provide hospitality in the lobby of the Art and Heritage Place, welcome visitors, invite them to view the exhibition, sign the guest book and assist the museum staff by tallying the number of visitors. These and other volunteer opportunities are coordinated through the volunteer office.
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.”