Spring has not quite sprung here at Conner Prairie, but all signs point to that it will soon. Facilities crews are hard at work tidying up for the crowds expected this
Opening Weekend, and interpreters are dusting off their boots and bonnets to reemerge themselves in 1836 and 1886. For me this spring includes more of the same, encouraging new and current members to upgrade to the donor levels of Heritage, Prairie Town Citizen and Golden Eagle, but I am also planning something fun and different.
I am deep in the planning of a spring luncheon for
Conner Society members that will feature speaker Shirley Mueller. Shirley is a collector, speaker and writer about Chinese export art. She has spoken all over the world about it, including London and South Africa. The topic for the luncheon talk will be “Mr. Lilly Collects: The Eli Lilly – C.T. Loo Connection” and will include fascinating insights into Mr. Lilly and why he collected Asian art. C.T Loo, whom Mueller is connecting to Lilly, was the preeminent dealer of Chinese art and artifacts for the first half of the 20th century. Starting his business in Paris, Loo was almost single-handedly responsible for introducing early Chinese art—bronzes, jades, paintings—to Western Europe and North America.
Not only is this a very interesting topic, but we are holding the luncheon in a very unique place on the property; the Chinese House. The
Chinese House is situated on the far south side of the grounds and was the summer home of Eli Lilly after he purchased it in 1949. Lilly decorated the house in a “Chinese style” and named it “The House of Sylvan Harmonies”. Over the years, Mr. Lilly collected and stored his collection of Chinese art and artifacts in the house, and pieces from his collection are still in the house today—the Chinese House is also available for
rental and makes a unique wedding and meeting location. At the luncheon we will display some of the unique and rare Chinese import porcelain from Mr. Lilly’s collection.
This luncheon, along with other special events, are just a few of the perks of being a Conner Society member. If you have any question about the Conner Society or would like to join please contact me, Adrianne Glidewell, at glidewell@connerprairie.org or 317.214.4491.