Posts by AJ Fecher
Connecting community at the table through a unique dinner experience
Over the past three decades, Chef Susan Collins has been deeply connected to the culinary world, creating unique menu items and savory dishes for guests to experience and appreciate. She…
Read MoreBank of America + Conner Prairie: Supporting Tomorrow’s Leaders
Bank of America made its first major gift to Conner Prairie in 2018 and is today among the museum’s largest corporate sponsors. The company supports a wide variety of festivals…
Read MoreHow shared values led to a 15-year partnership
A family business to its core, Brian Cooley founded the White River Canoe Company with the goal to bring his family together and spend time outdoors. “I wanted our family…
Read MoreCentennial Anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Law: Protecting Native Rights
Source: National Photo Company, President Coolidge Meets with Committee of One Hundred, ca. December 12-13, 1923, Library of Congress, and the White House Historical Association, https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=EDD0DA4619B34ACE%20ABE69D2B007FBD8A On June 2, 1924,…
Read MoreLearn More about Nature and Sustainability at Conner Prairie
Conner Prairie stewards 1,046 acres of natural habitat and green space, including more than 6 miles of shoreline along the White River. Take a look at some of our education,…
Read MoreWhat you need to know about Indiana’s first-ever Black Birders Week
Black Birders Week is a week-long program dedicated to uplifting Black nature enthusiasts while highlighting the visibility of Black Birders in nature. Black Birders Week is organized by TheBlackAFinSTEM Collective—a…
Read More“Conner Prairie is our happy place”
For Tom and Linda Huser, Conner Prairie is their “happy place.” As long-time volunteers and Conner Society donors, the Husers appreciate seeing the impact they have as Conner Prairie continues…
Read MoreBounce into some history
There are many reasons Conner Prairie loves their corporate sponsors: they’re great people, and we’re happy to know them; their missions – what’s truly important to them – align with…
Read MoreExperience Summer Fun at Kroger Symphony on the Prairie
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning for Kroger Symphony on the Prairie. Set against the scenic backdrop of Conner Prairie, this outdoor series provides…
Read MorePartnering to Protect the White River: Conner Prairie and the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Pictured here: David Hillman, Senior Program Officer at Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, at Treetop Outpost. For 22 years, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has provided more than $1.2…
Read MoreInvading Nature: Exploring the Impact of Invasive Species
The story of Lenape indigenous peoples in Hamilton County and their displacement from their land by white settlers is familiar to visitors of Conner Prairie. But did you know that…
Read MoreTickets available beginning April 23 for the 2024 Kroger Symphony on the Prairie season
The must-see 2024 lineup features the ISO’s legendary Star-Spangled Symphony, orchestral tributes to Queen and Led Zeppelin, plus favorites from the songbooks of Jimmy Buffett, ABBA, the Beatles, Tom Petty,…
Read MoreHow our new experience, The Trails at Conner Prairie, impact the world around you
Time spent outside and in nature is unique and personal, just like each of us. In March of 2023, I shared my story of birding and invited guests to join…
Read MorePreserving the Past & Building the Future: McAdams Foundation and Mission Impact Fund
Kathleen McAdams has had a unique connection with Conner Prairie throughout her life, from attending special events to shuffling grandkids to and from Adventure Camp. Today, Kathleen’s connection to Conner…
Read MoreGifts of Love
A colleague and friend asked me recently if I had considered writing a book on celebrations. This led to a conversation about how so many of us struggle to find…
Read MoreBlack Feminism in Indiana
Image of Sallie Wyatt Stewart (Photo credit: Thomas Y., Sallie Wyatt Stewart, 1942, print, Who’s Who of Colored America : 426.) When viewing feminism through traditional means, it is common to…
Read MoreThe Domestic Fight for Equity in the 20th Century
Source: M. Boyer, “The Clubhouse for the Indiana Federation of colored Women’s Clubs,” July 22, 2007. Although the post-war scene offered a temporary step into the spotlight for Indiana’s black…
Read MoreConner Prairie Hires New Vice President, Chief Programs Officer
FISHERS, IN (Feb. 12, 2024) – Conner Prairie proudly announces the appointment of Ryan Spencer as the new Vice President, Chief Programs Officer. With an extensive background in cultural programming…
Read MoreHistoric Chocolate Tart Recipe
This Valentine’s Day, try your hand at a historic Chocolate Tart recipe! The following recipe is a modern take on a historic recipe published in Hannah Glasse’s The Complete Confectioner…
Read MoreFrom employee to donor: Why Sally McGuffey supports Conner Prairie
Unlike many donors, Sally McGuffey’s journey to becoming a Conner Prairie donor didn’t start with a school field trip—in fact, it began when she accepted a position on the fundraising…
Read MoreRescuing the Horseshoe Bend Canoe
Location where the canoe was discovered, still half-buried in the White River A Mysterious Discovery Have you ever found anything cool while out on a walk? A Civil War coin,…
Read MoreConner Prairie Announces 50 Commitments to the Community to Commemorate Anniversary
FISHERS, IN (Jan. 8, 2024) – In 2024, Conner Prairie will celebrate 50 years since the creation of Prairietown, a cornerstone of the Museum’s immersive experiences that have impacted visitors…
Read MoreArts & Arms – Crafts of the Past
Through making items, we connect the present to the past by gaining an appreciation for hand-crafted items that have survived generations. One of my favorite places growing up was my…
Read MoreIndiana Corn Marketing Council’s commitment to Conner Prairie
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council is a statewide organization that strives to enhance the value of corn for Indiana corn farmers. The Council educates the public about agriculture, promotes new…
Read MoreIconic Reynolds Farm Equipment Lights at A Merry Prairie Holiday Get New Life
Conner Prairie and Duke Energy partner to create a more sustainable festival by converting hundreds of light fixtures to LED. FISHERS, IN (Nov. 27, 2023) – A Merry Prairie Holiday…
Read MoreCollaborative Learning Empowers Kids to Find Meaningful Opportunities
It’s 8 a.m. on a day late in August, and my team is arriving at Conner Prairie. They are an eclectic group of volunteers: a graphic designer, a pastor, a…
Read MoreThe Impact of the Youth Leadership program
“Our family has volunteered well over 10,000 hours at Conner Prairie. While that may seem like our gift to Conner Prairie, in reality, Conner Prairie has given our family invaluable…
Read MoreNovember, Veterans Day, and Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month includes numerous days meant to honor different aspects of Indigenous cultures, identities, histories, and experiences such as National Bison Day (November 4th), Rock your Mocs day…
Read MoreA Familiar Face at Conner Prairie
Michael Pace, or Mike Pace as he prefers, has been a bastion of education at Conner Prairie for nearly 30 years. He recently retired from full season work at Conner…
Read MoreConner Prairie Alliance focuses on the work of Becky Brammer
What do you do when your last child leaves for college and takes with her one of your major volunteer opportunities? That was the question facing Rebecca (Becky) Brammer in…
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