At Conner Prairie, we are passionate about agriculture and determined to keep the history of our land and historic breeds alive by showcasing how they contribute to our community, state, nation and the world. Follow us as we capture the journey and history of agriculture at Conner Prairie, from the Lenape tribe and William Conner to Eli Lilly and who we are today.
QUICKLINKS
Conner Prairie Land History: 1800's - TODAY
1837
William Conner moves to Noblesville.
Did You Know the "prairie" where Conner Prairie is located is not a prairie? It was a floodplain which would flood each year. This prevented things like large trees from growing. This made it valuable land for growing crops because it did not have to be cleared at a time when most of the state was covered in thick forests.
1855
The Conner Prairie property was first given to William Conner's son, William H. Conner, after his death.
1874
The land is sold to John D. Evans, ending the Conner family's ownership of the land.
1902
There are four subsequent land owners who largely turn the farmland over to tenant farmers. One of these families is the Atkins family, who built what would later become Shen Ho Shi.
1934
Recognizing the historical value and educational potential of the land, as well as it's value as farmland, Eli Lilly II purchases the land. He settled and began operation as a show farm, featuring award-winning, purebred livestock.
Did You Know? A show farm is a livestock farm for purebred animals that compete in agricultural shows, like the ones that still happen today at county and state fairs. They are animals that are the best representatives of their breed in terms of body shape and other features.
1935
Lilly purchases the Owens Farm across the White River. Upon purchase, this dairy farm became part of Conner Prairie Farms. Landing holdings after that purchase included 800 acres.
1940's
1941-1942 was a turning point, with a shift from show farm to an attempt at profits. During the war, people on the homefront were encouraged to be frugal have a mindset focused on productivity and conservation of resources. Many families planted victory gardens and began to grow their own food. This led Lilly to begin to feel that his show farm was, in his words, "unpatriotic" because it was using up resources for something frivolous.
During WW2, with farm manager Tillman Bubenzer taking the lead, Lilly shifted his focus to farming cross-bred cattle and hogs. By cross-breeding animals, you get animals that are hardier (more resistant to disease and heat or cold) and more productive (produce more milk or meat in less time and with less feed).
In addition, if the farm continued to cost money rather than turn a profit or break even, it would fall into the "hobby farm" category and be taxed at a much higher rate.
A greater emphasis on growing crops for animal feed also occurred during this time.
1963-1964
Lilly makes a "sudden" (according to Bubenzer) decision to get out of the farming business.
Conner Prairie Farms, including the Conner House and associated buildings acquired by Lilly is turned over to Earlham. Conner Prairie Farms continues to operate as a working farm with Bubenzer at the helm at this time.
1974
Conner Prairie Pioneer Village opens to the public. At the opening, there were six buildings. Dr. Campbell's Home opened in the following year.
1984
A village named "Prairietown" opens featuring The Golden Eagle Inn.
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
An Opportunity to See Indiana Farm Animals First Hand
Visit Animal Encounters and get up close and interact with your favorite Indiana farm animals! Learn about animal husbandry, life cycles, and silly and surprising animal behaviors. Speak one-on-one with the specialists who care for animals year-round on our grounds. Make sure you ask about our rare historical breeds of livestock and the important role Conner Prairie plays in preserving these animals.
HERITAGE BREEDS
Heritage Breeds Week
May 21-27, 2023
Come celebrate Heritage Breeds Week with us! Participate in exciting activities, watch fascinating demonstrations, learn about Conner Prairie's efforts to preserve heritage breeds, and discover what makes these rare animals so special.
Meet and Greet with animals all across the grounds. Learn about how livestock has changed throughout the years and how the livestock of the past are important for us today!
Behind every animal interaction that happens here at Conner Prairie is hundreds of years of history. Each heritage breed that calls this place home has made its own unique journey through time to be here, and we are honored to be able to help preserve this piece of history for the future. If you want to learn more about the work we do with rare breed preservation or to get involved, come visit us at Conner Prairie.
10:00 a.m. – Rabbit Compost Make & Take (free) — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Egg Science — Campbell Barn
11:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:30 a.m. – Dairy Product Taste Test — Featherston Barn
1:00 p.m. – Sheep Shearing — Golden Eagle Barn
1:00 p.m. – Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
2:00 p.m. – Ox Driving — Prairie Town
2:30 p.m. – Barnyard Brushstrokes — Featherston Barn
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
5:30 p.m. – Barnyard Brushstrokes — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Since being added to the Livestock Conservancy’s conservation priority list in 2005, American Rabbits have been on the path to recovery. While rabbits may not be what comes to mind when the word “livestock” is mentioned, these animals play an important role in agriculture both historically and in the present day. Conner Prairie is working to promote awareness of these rabbits. You can do your part by learning about them when you visit the Animal Encounters experience!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Rabbits — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
English Longhorn cattle are extremely rare in the US – fewer than 100 live here! Because of this, Conner Prairie does very important work with genetic preservation of the breed. We’ve had the opportunity to import embryos and new genetic diversity directly from England where these cattle first originated, thereby building the only registered herd here in North America with the hope that the work we’re doing now can build a foundation for this breed to thrive once again!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Cattle — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
After nearly going extinct during the Civil War, Tunis Sheep are once again regaining their popularity! Conner Prairie’s registered flock of sheep plays an important role in the future of this breed – every year some of our lambs are sold to other farms as breeding stock. These farms may be looking to increase the genetic diversity of their flock or may be newly established farms that are interested in adding these unique sheep to their herds. In both cases, we’re excited to see this breed flourish!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Sheep — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Conner Prairie is home to one of the largest breeding herds of Arapawa goats in the US with over 30 goats living here. Because there are 600 or fewer of these goats in the world, our herd represents a significant portion of the genetic pool for this breed. Our staff goes above and beyond for this breed’s preservation with one of our agricultural staff members serving as the president for the board of the Arapawa Goat Breeders Association! You can learn more and help support our mission to preserve this rare breed by visiting these goats in our Animal Encounters experience!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Goats — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
All Day – Sheep to Scarf — Golden Eagle Barn
All Day – Heritage Hoofprints Make & Take ($8) — Candle Shed near Animal Encounters
All Day – Soap Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
10:00 a.m. – Rabbit Compost Make & Take (free) — Featherston Barn
10:00 a.m. – Soapmaking Demonstration — Golden Eagle Inn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Meet the Candidates — Campbell Barn
11:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:30 a.m. – Taste the Past — Golden Eagle Inn
1:00 p.m. – Sheep Shearing — Golden Eagle Barn
1:00 p.m. – Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
2:00 p.m. – Soapmaking Demonstration — Golden Eagle Inn
2:00 p.m. – Soap Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
4:00 p.m. – Mayor of Animal Encounters Announcement — Animal Encounters Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Behind every animal interaction that happens here at Conner Prairie is hundreds of years of history. Each heritage breed that calls this place home has made its own unique journey through time to be here, and we are honored to be able to help preserve this piece of history for the future. If you want to learn more about the work we do with rare breed preservation or to get involved, come visit us at Conner Prairie.
10:00 a.m. – Rabbit Compost Make & Take (free) — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Egg Science — Campbell Barn
11:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:30 a.m. – Dairy Product Taste Test — Featherston Barn
1:00 p.m. – Sheep Shearing — Golden Eagle Barn
1:00 p.m. – Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
2:00 p.m. – Ox Driving — Prairie Town
2:30 p.m. – Barnyard Brushstrokes — Featherston Barn
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
5:30 p.m. – Barnyard Brushstrokes — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Since being added to the Livestock Conservancy’s conservation priority list in 2005, American Rabbits have been on the path to recovery. While rabbits may not be what comes to mind when the word “livestock” is mentioned, these animals play an important role in agriculture both historically and in the present day. Conner Prairie is working to promote awareness of these rabbits. You can do your part by learning about them when you visit the Animal Encounters experience!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Rabbits — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
English Longhorn cattle are extremely rare in the US – fewer than 100 live here! Because of this, Conner Prairie does very important work with genetic preservation of the breed. We’ve had the opportunity to import embryos and new genetic diversity directly from England where these cattle first originated, thereby building the only registered herd here in North America with the hope that the work we’re doing now can build a foundation for this breed to thrive once again!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Cattle — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
After nearly going extinct during the Civil War, Tunis Sheep are once again regaining their popularity! Conner Prairie’s registered flock of sheep plays an important role in the future of this breed – every year some of our lambs are sold to other farms as breeding stock. These farms may be looking to increase the genetic diversity of their flock or may be newly established farms that are interested in adding these unique sheep to their herds. In both cases, we’re excited to see this breed flourish!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Sheep — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Conner Prairie is home to one of the largest breeding herds of Arapawa goats in the US with over 30 goats living here. Because there are 600 or fewer of these goats in the world, our herd represents a significant portion of the genetic pool for this breed. Our staff goes above and beyond for this breed’s preservation with one of our agricultural staff members serving as the president for the board of the Arapawa Goat Breeders Association! You can learn more and help support our mission to preserve this rare breed by visiting these goats in our Animal Encounters experience!
10:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Goats — Campbell Barn
1:00 p.m. - ongoing – Farm Activities — Prairietown
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
All Day – Sheep to Scarf — Golden Eagle Barn
All Day – Heritage Hoofprints Make & Take ($8) — Candle Shed near Animal Encounters
All Day – Soap Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
10:00 a.m. – Rabbit Compost Make & Take (free) — Featherston Barn
10:00 a.m. – Soapmaking Demonstration — Golden Eagle Inn
11:00 a.m. – Creature Feature: Meet the Candidates — Campbell Barn
11:30 a.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
11:30 a.m. – Taste the Past — Golden Eagle Inn
1:00 p.m. – Sheep Shearing — Golden Eagle Barn
1:00 p.m. – Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
2:00 p.m. – Soapmaking Demonstration — Golden Eagle Inn
2:00 p.m. – Soap Make & Take ($5) — Golden Eagle Barn
3:00 p.m. – Story Time — Featherston Barn
4:00 p.m. – Mayor of Animal Encounters Announcement — Animal Encounters Barn
Happening all week:
Heritage Breeds Activities — Featherston Barn
- At the central hub of Heritage Breeds Week, explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification, and so much more!
Digital Scavenger Hunt — locations throughout the grounds
Mayor of Animal Encounters — Animal Encounters Barn
- Guests can submit their vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters on our voting board
Domestic Trades Demos — Golden Eagle Inn/ Prairietown
- Throughout the week, Domestic Trades will be demonstrating various historic livestock-related activities such as hide tanning, egg preservation, rendering lard, cheese making, spinning/weaving, and more across the grounds.
Learn about Indiana's Historical Heritage Livestock
Arapawa Goats
Arapawa Island, off the coast of New Zealand, is home to this unique breed, which descended from goats introduced by English explorers in the 1700s. Because they were left untouched for two hundred years, this heritage breed represents the style of goat originally brought to the U.S. by early English settlers. Today, there are roughly only 600 Arapawa Goats worldwide, making Conner Prairie’s conservation efforts with this rare breed even more important!
English Longhorns
Developed in Northern England, English Longhorns were improved by Robert Bakewell, a revolutionary in the world of breed improvement, in the 1700s. While English Longhorn cattle were common during the time America was being settled, this breed eventually became rare worldwide, reaching extinction in North America until the 1990s. Even now, there are still fewer than 100 English Longhorns in the United States, and Conner Prairie is working hard to increase the population. .
Tunis Sheep
One of the first true American breeds, Tunis sheep were kept by some of the original founding fathers, including John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. After nearly going extinct during the Civil War, Tunis sheep spread throughout the country and have steadily gained popularity because of their ability to thrive on pasture and in hotter climates.
Ossabaw Hogs
Ossabaw Island hogs descend from hogs brought by the Spanish in the 1500s to Ossabaw Island off the coast of Georgia, where they were left feral for hundreds of years. Adapted to the harsh life on the island, Ossabaws have the ability to store large amounts of fat that they can use for energy during times of famine. This substantial amount of lard gives their meat a very unique flavor, making them popular with chefs.
American Rabbits
Recognized as a heritage breed in 1917, these white and blue American Rabbits can weigh anywhere between 9-12 lbs. Because they have such large ears, remember to keep the noise level down, so as not to startle them. The rabbits will be in the Conner Barn pasture for viewing when they are not in the Animal Encounters experience. Rabbits need lots of breaks so feel free to come back and try again some other time if they are not in the barn!
Prairie Gardening
Heirloom Gardens
Our Domestic Trades Experts have over 30 years of gardening experience. Conner Prairie features nine unique gardens across our grounds, including outside the Golden Eagle Inn, the Gregory home, the Campbell home and the Curtis home in Prairietown. You’ll also find gardens in the Civil War Journey area, in our Lenape area, around the Loom House and the Conner House. The gardens are designed to show the time period and peoples we represent in each space.
As much as possible, we use the original, heirloom varieties of seeds that would have been available at the time. Where those seeds are not available, we find seeds that match that description as closely as possible as we continue the search for the original heirloom varieties.
Sunflower Field
Supported by Corteva Agriscience, 2021 became the inaugural year for Conner Prairie’s sunflower field.
Three varieties of native sunflowers were planted that totaled approximately 111,000 seeds. Wrapping around the oxbow of the White River, guests were immersed amongst thousands of sunflowers that made for a picture-perfect summer event as well as countless photo opportunities.
Through sustainable agricultural practices, the sunflower field offered opportunities to provide conversations about the historical importance these sun-drenched flowers offer to the environment and native habitats.
Watch these videos to learn more about gardening at Conner Prairie.
Upcoming Ag Events
Heirloom Plant Sale
Heritage Breeds Week
Recent News
Why Livestock Conservancy is an important leader for heritage breeds
Have you ever wondered why Conner Prairie has heritage breeds? Rare breeds of livestock and poultry are part of our national and cultural heritage. Sure, we want to exhibit animals that…
READ MORE- Why livestock Conservancy is an Important Leader for Heritage Breeds
May 17, 2022 - Heritage Breeds: Why Should We Care?
May 3, 2022 -
More Than Just a Cute Face: The Impact of Arapawa Goats
April 15, 2022 -
The Impact of a Simple Seed
May 6, 2021 -
A Passion for Animal Preservation
May 14, 2021 -
Conner Prairie’s Historic Livestock Program is Hero of Heritage Breeds Week
May 17, 2021 -
2021 International Heritage Breeds Week at Conner Prairie
May 18, 2021 -
Ignite Your Curiosity as a Youth Volunteer
June 9, 2021 -
Ask AG
April 3, 2020 -
Conner Prairie Helps to Revive Rare Breed of Sheep – Once popular breed almost extinct
August 2, 2019 - 3 of world’s rarest breed of goats born at Conner Prairie
April 18, 2018