Hundreds of guests, local celebrities and NPR’s Morning Edition host Steve Innskeep will gather to celebrate Conner Prairie’s Spirit of the Prairie, on Saturday, September 15, 5:30pm-9:30pm. Spirit of the Prairie was created in 1999 for Conner Prairie to pay tribute to individuals and organizations that forged new frontiers in cultural or historic initiatives. This year, Conner Prairie will honor a single person--its founder, Eli Lilly and his innovating vision and legacy by showcasing the museum with an elegant and celebratory stroll throughout its grounds. Past recipients have included: Bill and Gayle Cook, Crystal Gayle, Oscar Robertson, Christel DeHaan, Sandi Patty, Walter S. Blackburn, Michael Graves and Will Shortz. The event is co-chaired by Conner Prairie Board members Doug Church, Church Church Hittle and Antrim and Stan Hurt, Indiana Supply Corporation.
The celebration showcases the museum’s many offerings by opening the historic property for an exclusive evening of fabulous cuisine, fine wine and celebrity interpretation. Local mayors, elected officials and media personalities will don historic costumes and recreate bits of Indiana history to entertain the assembled guests. William Conner himself often hosted the who’s who of Indiana at his 1823 brick home, providing a historical template for special Indiana events and making Spirit of the Prairie a time honored tradition on the 850 acre property.
The evening will culminate with a tribute to the person most influential in Conner Prairie’s history, Mr. Eli Lilly. Following the recognition of Mr. Lilly, Steve Inskeep and Roy Underhill (host of Public Broadcasting Station’s The Woodwright’s Shop) will lead a spirited conversation about the importance of history in today’s world and debate which current events are likely to make a mark on history. Inskeep is a former Carmel Indiana resident and current host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and has covered everything from presidential elections to hurricane Katrina to the war in Iraq.
“History covers the scope of all human activity from the beginning of time until the present,” said Ellen Rosenthal, president and CEO of Conner Prairie. “By featuring Steve Inskeep as our special guest, we recognize that history is made every day and not frozen in time. Like all of Conner Prairie’s programming, Spirit of the Prairie will blend sensational entertainment with thoughtful insights into our nation’s history.”
A limited number of tickets are available for the evening and can be reserved on line or over the phone.
For an opportunity to meet both Inskeep and Underhill, a very limited number of Patron Level tickets are available which include a private reception with the featured speakers at the beginning of the evening.
Spirit of the Prairie, an elegant and celebratory evening
Guests to Conner Prairie’s Spirit of the Prairie will stroll through the outdoor historic areas, catch local history makers performing theatrical vignettes in costume, dine on a progressive dinner of contemporary and history-inspired foods and meet costumed residents.
Lenape Indian Camp
What they’ll see: Guests can root for their favorite celebrity tomahawk thrower: Mayor Jim Brainard, Carmel; Town Council President Scott Fautless, Fishers; Mayor John Ditslear, Noblesville; Town Council President Andy Cook, Westfield, as they enter the historic area featuring Indiana’s earliest residents.
What they’ll taste: Carrot soup with cheese and nut sandwiches
1836 Prairietown
What they’ll see: Guests can join the local celebrity bumbling but lovable militia recruits: Dave O’Brien and Ed Wank from 97.1 HANK-FM, during training in front of the Golden Eagle Inn. Guests can also help either Tom Davis, Traffic Reporter for WRTV-TV as he attempts to rob the Whitaker Store or assist Constable Paul Poteet, Meteorologist for WRTV-TV as he attempts to make an arrest.
What they’ll taste: Shrimp cocktail, grilled veggies and stuffed strawberries
1886 Liberty Corner
What they’ll see: Guests can cheer on local celebrities such as: Wilbur Lewis, Clifton Gunderson, Bill Corley, Community Health Network, Lou Harry, A&E editor for the IBJ; John Strauss, reporter for The Indianapolis Star and WIBC-AM; Steve Bray, Chief Meteorologist for WISH-TV and Meteorologists Chuck Lofton and Tina Simpkins for WTHR-TV, as they play historic baseball with Big John Gillis as the baseball announcer and witness a lively discussion between celebrity suffragette Judge Sarah Barker and her challenger Henry Ryder.
What they’ll taste: Chicken fricassee, sweet potatoes and succotash, grilled and carved beef tenderloin and venison and wild rice with nuts and berries
As the sun sets over the prairie, guests will enjoy dessert and a celebration of Eli Lilly’s legacy. In 1934 the land, that is now called Conner Prairie, was purchased by Eli Lilly in order to save the home of William Conner, an Indiana statesman. As was his custom in all areas, Lilly sought the best expertise to restore the house. His interest in the historical era led him to surround the William Conner home with imported structures from around the state as “outbuildings.” In 1935 Lilly sponsored the first public historical reenactment on the site in order to, according to a story from the Indianapolis News in 1935, “create an actual portrayal of how our Hoosier forefathers and their families lived – it is a promotion intended to give future generations historical understanding not to be found in books. What their eyes see they will never forget.” Years later, Lilly called Conner Prairie "one of the most important historic monuments in the State of Indiana."
Following the tribute, Steve Inskeep, former Carmel, Indiana resident and the host of NPR’s Morning Edition, and Roy Underhill, from PBS’s The Woodwright’s Shop, will engage in an intimate yet spirited conversation about keeping history relevant in today’s world.
Spirit of the Prairie proceeds will benefit the operating fund of Conner Prairie. Conner Prairie is an independent charitable organization that depends on contributions and admissions to underwrite more than 40 percent of its annual budget.
SPONSORS FOR THE EVENT INCLUDE: Alsco, American Structurepoint, Inc., Nancy Ayres, Church Church Hittle & Antrim, Clifton Gunderson LLC, Community Health Network, Ice Miller LLP, Lumina Foundation for Education, Monarch Beverage Company, Party Time Rental, RATIO Architects, Riverview Hospital.
Tickets are limited and reservations are required and can be made by signing up online at connerprairie.org/spirit or by calling guest services at 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836. Admission is $100 per person and includes valet parking, two complimentary drinks, a special gift and the evening’s festivities. Cocktail attire and comfortable shoes are encouraged. Patron Level tickets which also include a private reception with Steven Inskeep and Roy Underhill are available for $150 per person (reception begins at 5:00pm). All proceeds support Conner Prairie.
“One of the greatest opportunities for Conner Prairie today is to demonstrate to people that the Conner Prairie they visited in fourth grade or experienced as a Symphony on the Prairie guest is now a vibrant, exciting, ever-changing destination,” said Rosenthal. “Our evolution has created a fantastic opportunity for growth and we hope to share a wonderful evening with the community. Spirit of the Prairie is a chance to engage with Conner Prairie’s history and future at the same time.”
“Spirit of the Prairie will show a side of Conner Prairie rarely glimpsed by the general public. While a single evening can’t capture the full scope of Conner Prairie, guests will leave knowing how special Conner Prairie is now and how our ambitions promise a bright bold future,” said Cameron McGuire, vice president of development for Conner Prairie.
Conner Prairie continues to forge new frontiers by always keeping Eli Lilly’s vision in sight.
Conner Prairie is leading the field in engaging and fun history learning experiences
Conner Prairie is the first outdoor history museum to conduct extensive on site research on how people learn and to use that information to reshape the visitor experience.
Conner Prairie is creating new paradigms for involving schools and visitors with history
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