Pam Jackson - Guest Services

This is turning out to be one of the hottest and driest summers Indiana has experienced in decades. Trees are drooping, grass is brown and crunchy, and our local farmers are doing their best to salvage their crops. I have lived in Indiana over twenty years and I’ve never been this hot, and considering I moved here from Texas, that’s saying a lot!

Guest Services is dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of Conner Prairie’s visitors. On days when the temperature nears or exceeds 100 degrees, we are offering complimentary bottles of water. We encourage our guests to take frequent breaks from the heat, not over-exert themselves, and to take advantage of opportunities on the historic grounds to cool off. Café on the Common offers shaded, covered seating and ceiling fans to move the air. 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana has a few air-conditioned buildings, plus the water table and water cannons in River Crossing are also there to help cool you and your family. Recently 1836 Prairietown residents have sponsored water gun fights and encouraged guests to get wet when they assist with “chores.”

Here are some common-sense suggestions for visiting an outdoor museum on a disagreeably hot day:
•    Arrive early. The grounds open at 10 a.m., and it’s best to take advantage of what Conner Prairie has to offer before the excessive heat arrives in early afternoon.
•    Drink lots of water. We hope you will refill your complimentary water bottle frequently from the various locations and water fountains on the grounds.
•    Take frequent breaks. Get out of the direct sunlight and visit a cooler area while on the historic grounds. Some suggestions include the Conner Homestead; 1863 Civil War Journey’s Dry Goods Store, River Crossing, a children’s play area with water tables and water cannons and the historic covered bridge; Café On the Common; Animal Encounters Barn.

Of course, you can always bring the family back inside the air-conditioned comfort of the Welcome Center and enjoy Discovery Station, Craft Corner, Science Lab, and the Conner Prairie Store.

One more reminder about this scorching weather. We all know it becomes dangerously hot inside a closed vehicle, and unfortunately our parking lots affords little shade. Service animals are always welcome at Conner Prairie, but please think twice before leaving any animal companions in your vehicle while you visit us. These are the “dog days of summer,” and we want everyone to leave our grounds as happy and exhilarated as when they arrived.

Emma St. Dennis - Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

It's that time of the year - when we are all weary of being indoors during the winter months. Even though it has been a mild winter, the grandkids and I are anxious to get outside!

Though they thoroughly enjoy Discovery Station, the Science Lab and Craft Corner they are anxious to get outside. Beau has even joined in with a Prairie Tykes program over the last few months to get his fill of Conner Prairie.
Recently there has been a lot of talk among the grandkids about what we are looking forward to seeing this year. 
•    We wonder what new baby animals will be in the barn this year? 
•    Beau enjoys the goats.
•    Little Eliza loves to give the calves a good "hair" brushing. 
•    Logan can hardly wait to go up in "his" big balloon.
•    Ella wants to practice her stilt walking in Prairietown. 
•    Emma likes to identify the spring wildflowers with Mamaw (that’s me).

Summer Camp is right around the corner and the older girls are already deciding which (Adventure or Arts) and how many sessions to attend this summer. Now is the time to get signed up! Ella wants to see if the giant fish (did someone say Loch Ness Monster?) is in the pond again this summer so she can once again go fishin’. Emma wants to attend the leadership session that is offered.

I take this "job" of Mamaw very seriously. I love to share Conner Prairie with them, to encourage these five precious young minds to open up and explore their world, to ask lots of questions and to help them find their own answers!

More adventures to come.  Happy Spring to everyone!

Pam Jackson: Guest Blogger - Guest Services

The first month of 2012 has flown by, and usually by mid-winter things are pretty quiet in central Indiana. However, 2012 is no ordinary winter in Indianapolis!

Being from Oklahoma, I’ve been a football fan as long as I can remember, but I didn’t become a pro football fan until I moved to Indiana in the 1990s. This past Colts season was heartbreaking for lots of fans, but the excitement of Indianapolis hosting Superbowl XLVI has helped ease the pain. I won’t be attending the big game, unless “attending” means sitting in my living room with friends and lots of snacks, but just being this close makes me feel part of the action.
 
Conner Prairie is getting in on the excitement of Super Bowl XLVI, too. Even though downtown Indy is a good distance from Fishers, we hope to be able to welcome not only out-of-town guests, but lure back some of the locals with our Super Cars exhibit Feb. 2-5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out Conner Prairie’s homepage for details about this special weekend activity. And for those who mourn the end of football season, good news! Our Science Lab is hosting The Science of Football during the months of February and March. Come learn all about the game and extend the season just a little longer.

Don’t forget about us after the big game, though. We still have our indoor exhibits open, including Discovery Station, the new Science Lab exhibit, and Craft Corner. If the kids are getting restless during February and March, The Welcome Center has plenty to offer to relieve cabin fever!