Step back in time and join a bustling community where people, animals, objects, and daily routines are exactly the same as they were over 150 years ago.
Soar high above Conner Prairie in a helium-filled balloon, and learn how manned flight moved from dream to reality.
Immerse yourself in Hoosier life during the Civil War and enlist to help defend the state from Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders.
Live like a Lenape Indian as you toss a tomahawk, climb inside a wigwam, and try your hand at fur trading in Conner Prairie’s earliest historical area.
Step inside the barn of a real working farm, where you can feed, pet, and play with livestock, while learning from their caretakers.
Enter one of Indiana's first brick homes where you can discover the story of William Conner and how Indiana's history changed here.
Connect with nature and play freely in a 4-story treehouse surrounded by special activity areas where guests of all ages can dig in and have fun.
Design a new invention, fly a plane, and create an electrical circuit in this fun ever-changing indoor exhibit that celebrates innovation in Indiana.
Show the world your creativity and make a unique take-home project in an exciting indoor craft area.
Create, climb, explore, play, and pretend in a one-of-a-kind indoor play area perfect for kids through the age of 8.
Norman Burns is the President & CEO of Conner Prairie. Burns has more than 30 years of experience in various leadership capacities at historical institutions, most recently as executive director at Maymont, a 100-acre property in Richmond, Va. Prior to joining Maymont, he served as executive director of four Tennessee museums from 1987 to 2001, including Belle Meade Plantation, Chattanooga Regional History Museum, Rocky Mount Museum and Sam Davis Historical Site and Museum. Burns is active in the museum field nationally. He serves as treasurer and council member for the American Association of State and Local History. Burns earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He and wife Sandy have three grown sons. Click here for a hi-resolution image of Burns.
Society Needs the Arts, Humanities Museums build bridges across cultures, generations I trust we all agree that the arts and humanities presented nobly at America’s museums make the world a better place to live and learn. Museums play a critical role in helping us rediscover and rewire our societal DNA between the two hemispheres of thought and action. READ MORE
Conner Prairie joins museums around the globe in support of the History Relevance campaign In its continuing push to advocate for the future of museums, Conner Prairie will join more than 150 similar institutions around the globe in an online campaign to promote teaching and learning history. History Relevance is a group of history professionals that has adopted a value statement to promote the importance of teaching and learning history. READ MORE
Norman's Notes is a bi-monthly e-publication of news and views from the president's desk. Below you will find links to past issues. If you would like to subscribe to Norman’s Notes, please send your name and email address to Executive Assistant to the President Emma St. Dennis. View the Norman's Notes archive.