The Benton Is back

Last year, the William Benton Museum of Art became the center of controversy when UConn faced severe budget cuts and anything considered extraneous - including the Benton - faced near-shutdown. Though its hours may have been cut, the Benton soldiers on today, a standing symbol of UConn's historic legacy.

According to the Benton's official history found on its Web site, the museum originally served as the campus' main dining hall, "The Beanery," when it was built in 1920, back when UConn was known as the Connecticut Agricultural College.

One of the oldest buildings on campus, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to Samantha Smith, assistant retail manager at the Benton. It has been undergoing renovations due to water damage for several months, and because of the incessant June rain, the work has been bumped up a few weeks.

"The interior is all set, but the exterior has been slowed down," said Michael Cavanaugh, the lead gallery attendant. "Because it's a historic landmark, it has to be redone exactly the way it was done back in the day."All the materials and architecture used must reflect those employed when the Beanery was built nearly a century ago.

After Charles Lewis Beach's term as school president, the idea that the old dining hall could instead house an art gallery was put into motion. Beach bequeathed his own vast collection to the school upon his death in 1933, and from there the school continued collecting various works of art.

The Benton as it is known today officially opened in 1967, and its art collection has grown immensely since the days of Beach's starter gallery. Its 5,500-piece collection includes works by renowned artists like Mary Cassatt, Rembrandt Peale and George Fellows.

The Benton was officially named after Connecticut senator and University trustee William Burnett Benton in 1972. Last year's rally to withstand the budget cuts reflects the spirit of the museum's namesake: Benton was one of the first Democratic senators to stand up against Sen. McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950's.

According to the museum's official history, Benton tried to pass a resolution to expel McCarthy from the Senate. McCarthy took revenge by accusing Benton of owning "lewd works of art," as well as mingling with communists. McCarthy made sure that Benton lost his next election in 1951, and Benton officially retired from politics shortly after.

"He was also president of the Encyclopedia Britannica at one time," said Smith. "And he was instumental in creating Muzak" - a little-known fact about the man who came to represent UConn's center of creativity.

Benton owned a successful advertising agency called Benton & Bowles. Along with two other entrepreneurs, he bought Muzak from Warner Bros. in 1939 and turned it into the corporate accomplishment it is today, according to Muzak, Inc.'s company history on the Web site Funding Universe.

The Benton's varied and sometimes surprising history will continue to accumulate. Thomas Bruhn, the interim director, recently announced a gift of $1,000,000 from a anonymous donor that will keep the museum's doors open. Students can check out the 44th Annual Art Department Faculty Exhibition, running until Oct. 18, as well as an exhibit opening Sept. 24, called "Women's Work, Women's Dreams," which will display various works by Swedish women.

After nearly a century of growth and a little controversy, the Benton today is a perfect getaway from the daily grind of classes. Café Muse, the Museum's coffee hotspot, not only offers wireless internet but also "Tea for Two," where students can pair up, order a pot of tea and share some sweets.

"It's a great place for a date," said Cavanaugh. "It's free, you can look at art and then you can meet up for coffee."