Conner Prairie, just outside of Indianapolis, brings prairie history to life in its four distinct outdoor living history areas and its indoor museum. When you visit, you'll discover how the area was settled, first by the native Lenape people and then by pioneer William Conner. You can participate in a variety of daily activities, ranging from farm tasks to jumping rope, and you can also watch demonstrations of cooking, weaving, blacksmithing and other traditional occupations and tasks. Conner Prairie also offers a wide variety of special programs, ranging from arms making to an Underground Railroad experience, that immerse you in prairie history.
History
Fur trader William Conner built an impressive brick home for his wife, Elizabeth, in 1823. This home eventually fell into disrepair. Eli Lilly, the philanthropist, bought the Conner House in 1934, hoping to restore it. Once the restoration was complete, Lilly brought more historic buildings to the property and opened the area to public tours. Conner Prairie has expanded several times, and now includes a museum, the Lenape Indian Camp, Liberty Corner and Prairietown in addition to the Conner Homestead. Recently, Conner Prairie began building McClure's Carpenter Shop, which will be constructed in public view using traditional materials and methods.
Two Types of Interpreters
When you visit Conner Prairie, you'll encounter two different types of historical interpretation, practiced simultaneously. Conner Prairie's first-person interpreters wear historic costumes and "live" in their character's century. They will tell you all about their "kin" and life in their "town," if asked. But, if you ask them about modern events or inventions, they will politely explain that they have no idea what you're talking about. Third-person interpreters, easily distinguished by their royal blue polo shirts, discuss events and folkways from a modern-day perspective. For example, they might explain how Conner Prairie cares for all the farm animals or show you how to dip a candle. This combined approach to historical interpretation allows you to ask detailed questions and explore all kinds of topics.
Something for Everyone
While Conner Prairie's website and brochures tend to emphasize its appeal to children, I can assure you that visitors of all ages will find something here to interest them. I was fascinated to learn about the woven carpeting in the Conner House, for example. I learned that the carpeting in the master bedroom was woven on site, from the pattern originally used in the home, and that a replacement carpet is currently being created by Conner Prairie's skilled weavers. It will take several years to complete; the woven rag carpet covering the hall floor and staircase took nine years to make.
My friend Michelle, who lives near Conner Prairie and visits frequently, raves about the Hearthside Suppers, where participants help cook their own meal using traditional methods and ingredients, then sit down to dine by candlelight in the Conner House. Her husband, Shawn, is waiting for his chance to sign up for Conner Prairie's blacksmithing class. Michelle's mother, Dorothy, particularly enjoys the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie , held in the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre, where you can sit on the lawn and listen to live performances of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
On our last visit, Michelle was thrilled to learn how to milk an amazingly cooperative goat. We've also played hoops, milked Rosie the Plastic Cow, tanned a hide in the Lenape Indian Camp and learned how to identify various pelts prized by fur traders.
Of course, younger visitors will also have a great time at Conner Prairie. They can try walking on stilts, chase the chickens into their coop and help with laundry (that one doesn't last too long – it's hard work). Conner Prairie is a perfect place to spend a day with your children or grandchildren.
Plan Your Visit
Conner Prairie is open every day but Monday from May to October, and on Wednesday through Sunday in April. Special programs take place throughout the year, including Hearthside Suppers, Follow the North Star (Underground Railroad) and December's Gingerbread Village event. To learn more, call (317) 776-6000 or (800) 966-1836 (toll free).
Accessibility Information
Conner Prairie's museum and visitor center are completely accessible, and most wheelchair and scooter users will be able to navigate the hard-packed paths in the outdoor museum areas. Some pathways, such as the one leading to the Zimmerman Farm barns, are steep. Many buildings in the historic areas have single- or multiple-step entrances, and wheelchair users may not be able to negotiate these doorways.
