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.

Christmas Season Hours

Whitby Gift Shop

Whitby Gift Shop will reopen on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Haehn Museum

The 2022 Haehn Museum exhibit will open on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

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

Whitby Gift Shop will reopen on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Haehn Museum

Upcoming Exhibit

“By the Work of Her Hands”
The Art of Sister Dennis Frandrup

The 2022 exhibit celebrates the vast array of art forms mastered by the hands of Sister Dennis Frandrup. Respected by colleagues, admired by her students of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, and recognized by other artists, S. Dennis has been producing art for over 50 years. In this exciting exhibit, the teacher and artist come together to offer beauty to a weary world.

The 2022 Haehn Museum exhibit will open on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

From the Monastery Museum

Do come for tea!

As we begin to mount the 2022 monastery museum exhibit of the vast and fascinating creations of Sister Dennis Frandrup, we find pieces like this unusual black, porcelain teapot and cups. S. Dennis has continued to create art even after her more than 40-year teaching career at the College of Saint Benedict. The lovely and imaginative collection of her art is sure to tickle the eye of the seasoned collector and of every curious observer. Do plan to come to this feast for the eye and celebration of shapes!

Whitby Gift Shop will have items made by S. Dennis for purchase.

About the 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!

Contact

For more information, contact:

Moira Wild, OSB
Director of the Haehn Museum
(320) 363-7098
mwild@csbsju.edu

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.”