 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRLoving Greetings to Each One of You, On a very recent and fascinating journey to Northern Ireland with “Beads on One String”, a Baba organization begun decades ago under the leadership of Don Stevens, I felt as though I had stepped onto a winding path where past and present, struggle and compassion, walk side by side. The beauty of the green countryside, alive with grazing sheep, stood in stark contrast to the old, deeply held beliefs that shaped centuries of division and culminated in the 30‑year struggle known as “The Troubles.” I saw how, in conflict, creativity on a human scale can be suppressed, leaving rigidity in its place. It reminded me, as I meet my own unyielding convictions, that to find the best solutions for MAC, sometimes not yet in my vision, I must trust in Him. The core principles and foundational wisdom that inspired the birth of MAC are anchored, steady and firm, in Baba and His spiritual legacy, and continue to guide our steps on this path In these moments of reflection, my heart circles back to the immense value of Baba treasures—how they arrive, who has offered them, and the ways they touch the hearts of others. Each item carries its own beautiful story of connection. Enduring friendships have emerged from these gifts, given because of love and generosity. Sharing some of these gifts, the lovingly appointed Darshan Room will be open for all to experience. In the dedication event on June 14th (see the invitation later in this newsletter). Many sacred items will be on display: a chair used by Baba in 1956, on loan from the Adams family; a tablecloth and bedspread donated by Larry and Rita Karrasch from their collection, still holding the fragrance of Baba’s visit to the Delmonico Hotel in 1956; the Rano Gayley painting, honoring Baba’s instructions to Rano regarding a film project in the 1930s, now fully conserved thanks to generous donors; and paintings by talented Baba artists. Some treasures will remain on display beyond the dedication program. As this welcoming space comes into being, we are also wishing Polly Rolman‑Smith, our terrific archive manager, a very fond farewell as she ventures into a new domain. Polly’s excellent leadership, skill, and unifying style have helped shape a continuing path forward, in which we welcome Susan McKendree as MAC’s archivist and Mimi Hay as MAC’s collections coordinator. Their presence continues the journey with fresh energy and steady devotion. I am heartened by your willingness to walk this complex, beautiful path together. By embracing differences, accepting change as an inevitable part of growth, and leading with love, we will continue moving Baba’s organization forward into its next chapter with your help and encouragement. I hope you will come visit and experience the new Darshan Room as a home for you. In His loving embrace, Evie Lindemann Board Chair VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY |
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| Hilda Fuchs is standing next to Meher Baba’s Darshan Chair where he sat and where the Chair was located in her Hollywood Home at the time He gave Darshan in 1956. The chair is now on loan to MAC. (See first photo) | This is the tablecloth that covered the side table next to Baba and the bedspread He sat on as He met His lovers at the Hotel Delmonico in 1956, NYC. From the Karrasch Collection |
Visitors will be able to enjoy the newly restored Rano Gayley painting, along with two additional large charts designed by her. Winnie Barrett has generously donated a lovely blue loveseat and a silk Oriental carpet, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Eric Teperman and David Fenster have printed a large photograph of Baba, highlighting His graceful hands, to accompany the Darshan Chair, on loan from the Adams family. Larry and Rita Karrasch have also contributed a cloth that once covered the chair from which Baba gave darshan at the Delmonico Hotel in 1956. Special thanks to Mimi Hay for her beautifully handcrafted pillow with interchangeable covers, thoughtful design work, and organization of this special room, and to Tim Garvin, Peter Nordeen, and once again Mimi Hay, for installing the gallery hanging rails.
We hope you will come and share in this special occasion as we celebrate this beautiful new offering for our entire Baba community. 🙏
We hope you will come and share in this special occasion as we celebrate this beautiful new offering for our entire Baba community. 🙏
ARCHIVES CORNER
by Polly Rolman-Smith
Months in the Making: Conservation Treatment of the Rano Gayley Painting Now Complete
| We are pleased to announce that conservation specialist Elizabeth Sanchez has done a tremendous job in the completion of the conservation treatment of the Rano Gayley painting. After months of careful work, the painting is finally back at Meher Archive Collective, and plans are in the works for it to be displayed. In addition to the conservation treatment, the painting is now supported by a custom frame made by local Asheville framer, The Frugal Framer. If you're interested in learning about the conservation process, Sanchez will be joining us for a Baba Zoom discussion of the conservation treatment later this summer. Stay tuned for more details! Rano Gayley Conservation Record |  |
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| Before Conservation | AfterConservation |
MEHER ARCHIVE PROFILE
by Michael Ivey
Woven Together: Mimi Hay Brings a Lifetime of Baba Service to Asheville
| The newest member of the Meher Archives team, Mimi Hay, is a well known name to long-time Baba-lovers. I spoke with Mimi at her new home in Asheville about her life with Baba and her volunteering for MAC with the Baba archives project. The newest member of the Meher Archives team, Mimi Hay, is a well known name to long-time Baba-lovers. I spoke with Mimi at her new home in Asheville about her life with Baba and her volunteering for MAC with the Baba archives project. |  |
Mimi brings a rich history of involvement with Baba volunteer work from her 30 years in Myrtle Beach, where she managed all the art exhibits at the Meher Center, led tours for groups and visitors, and did various archive projects both at the Center and in India.
By trade, Mimi is a "fabric artist," using a vast array of colors and patterns in fabrics to create wall hangings and, more recently, concentrating on clothing.
She's a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild (think: Folk Art Center) and will be displaying at the Civic Center in July.
Her art website can be found at: www.mimihaydesign.com
When Mimi moved to Asheville last summer, volunteering at Meher Archives brought together the two most pervasive "loves of her life" — art and Meher Baba. She began by serving on the Events Committee and coordinating activities for the Grand Opening of the Red Oak School building last fall, and is now on the Fundraising Committee, as well as helping Elaine and Polly with the preservation and display of the many Baba-legacy treasures in the collection. Her current project is the decoration of the Darshan Room and the event room of the Archives building.
Mimi has joined her family here in Asheville: daughter Erica Hodgin and her husband Dana Brook, and their son Matteo, as well as stepdaughter Molly Irani and her husband Meherwan Irani, and their daughter Aria.
Meher Archives and the Asheville Baba community are blessed to have her here!
By trade, Mimi is a "fabric artist," using a vast array of colors and patterns in fabrics to create wall hangings and, more recently, concentrating on clothing.
She's a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild (think: Folk Art Center) and will be displaying at the Civic Center in July.
Her art website can be found at: www.mimihaydesign.com
When Mimi moved to Asheville last summer, volunteering at Meher Archives brought together the two most pervasive "loves of her life" — art and Meher Baba. She began by serving on the Events Committee and coordinating activities for the Grand Opening of the Red Oak School building last fall, and is now on the Fundraising Committee, as well as helping Elaine and Polly with the preservation and display of the many Baba-legacy treasures in the collection. Her current project is the decoration of the Darshan Room and the event room of the Archives building.
Mimi has joined her family here in Asheville: daughter Erica Hodgin and her husband Dana Brook, and their son Matteo, as well as stepdaughter Molly Irani and her husband Meherwan Irani, and their daughter Aria.
Meher Archives and the Asheville Baba community are blessed to have her here!
VOLUNTEER UPDATE
by Ashley Lowe
Whether you are a tech wizard, a local helper, or a creative storyteller, there is a place for you in this sacred work. We are currently looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:
- Information technology
- Transcriptions
- Local archive processing (on site)
- Archive Center care (cleaning)
- Fundraising
- Marketing and communications
- Governance
LIBRARY UPDATE
by Ann Barker
Hidden Gems: New Titles at the Meher New Life Library
Two of the new books among many that are available are Service Ready by Molly Irani and Mandali Memories by Karen Talbot.
The Meher New Life Library offers a range of books that include new titles as well as out-of-print books that are hard to find. Meher Baba books were often published in small print runs, making them quite rare.
The library is a welcoming space to explore the full range of books written by Meher Baba and His followers — from plays, songs, and poetry to discourses, personal stories, and biographies.
As a reminder, our open hours are:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 12 – 4 p.m.
Please come visit!
If you have questions about what’s happening in the library, call Ann at (936) 234-1779 or email [email protected]
The Meher New Life Library offers a range of books that include new titles as well as out-of-print books that are hard to find. Meher Baba books were often published in small print runs, making them quite rare.
The library is a welcoming space to explore the full range of books written by Meher Baba and His followers — from plays, songs, and poetry to discourses, personal stories, and biographies.
As a reminder, our open hours are:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 12 – 4 p.m.
Please come visit!
If you have questions about what’s happening in the library, call Ann at (936) 234-1779 or email [email protected]
PROGRAMS and ACTIVITIES
Opening Celebration and dedication of the Darshan Room
On Sunday, June 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., we invite everyone to join us for an Opening Celebration and dedication of the Darshan Room, as well as the unveiling of the newly restored Rano painting. Tea and light refreshments will be served.
At Meher Archive Collective, 53 Red Oak School Rd., Weaverville, NC
At Meher Archive Collective, 53 Red Oak School Rd., Weaverville, NC
Ongoing Programs at Meher Archive Collective
Monthly Dhuni
On the 12th of each month, Meher Archive offers a Dhuni on the lawn of the Meher Archive building, weather permitting.
Our next Dhuni will be on Friday, June 12th, on the lawn of the Meher Archive building. To all musicians, poets, storytellers, and lovers of the Beloved, your heartfelt offerings are warmly welcome at the Dhuni. Whether through music, verse, or sacred story, your expression is a gift to the gathering.
In Touch with Meher Archive
The program “In Touch with Meher Archive Collective – Cherishing Meher Baba’s Legacy” is a bi-monthly series featuring a variety of topics related to preserving Baba’s legacy.
All are welcome to join us on BabaZoom.net for our next live program on Saturday, August 1st, at 11:00 a.m. The program will be a discussion of the conservation process for fragile treasures.
YouTube
Visit Meher Archive Collective’s YouTube channel and check out our videos.
Here is part 4 of the Q&A series with Peter Nordeen and Ward Parks from August 9th, 2026: https://youtu.be/AlZ8d2JcKnA
Monthly Dhuni
On the 12th of each month, Meher Archive offers a Dhuni on the lawn of the Meher Archive building, weather permitting.
Our next Dhuni will be on Friday, June 12th, on the lawn of the Meher Archive building. To all musicians, poets, storytellers, and lovers of the Beloved, your heartfelt offerings are warmly welcome at the Dhuni. Whether through music, verse, or sacred story, your expression is a gift to the gathering.
In Touch with Meher Archive
The program “In Touch with Meher Archive Collective – Cherishing Meher Baba’s Legacy” is a bi-monthly series featuring a variety of topics related to preserving Baba’s legacy.
All are welcome to join us on BabaZoom.net for our next live program on Saturday, August 1st, at 11:00 a.m. The program will be a discussion of the conservation process for fragile treasures.
YouTube
Visit Meher Archive Collective’s YouTube channel and check out our videos.
Here is part 4 of the Q&A series with Peter Nordeen and Ward Parks from August 9th, 2026: https://youtu.be/AlZ8d2JcKnA
 | BOARD OF DIRECTORS |