Posts by Shelby Helton
Spring Comes to Conner Prairie
Spring arrives at Conner Prairie in spurts. One day the sky is impossibly blue and the sun is shining. The next week it storms and the sleet hits my face. Two weeks after the big snow storm I stepped outside the front door of Facilities and saw 125 sandhill cranes overhead flying north. I knew…
Read MoreWilliam Conner and the War of 1812
The old adage “if only these walls could talk” holds a lot of weight when one walks past the historic buildings that have been assembled on the Conner Prairie grounds. Those buildings have seen more stories than we will ever know, and for the William Conner house this is especially true. William Conner did not…
Read MoreConner Prairie Looks Back at 2020 During Virtual Annual Meeting
Year of “Business of the Unusual” Unpacked in Live Q&A FISHERS, Ind. — (Friday, April 9, 2021) – Today Conner Prairie hosted their annual meeting where they celebrated the successes and challenges overcome during 2020. The event — held virtually for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 — brought Indiana community leaders…
Read MoreBeyond the Everyday
So much of life is made up of everyday, predictable routine. For some it’s humdrum. For others, events that happen dependably at the same time every week are a source of peace and comfort. Routine creates a sense of normality and frees us from the anxiety of figuring out how to schedule our work and…
Read MoreHow Two Brothers Transformed the Grounds at Conner Prairie
Come join other adventurers who travel back in time at Conner Prairie to watch our skilled craftsmen ply their trades. Will you explore Prairietown to see Mr. McClure in his carpenter’s shop, or a blacksmith at work at the Curtis forge? Where does your curiosity lead? Are you coming to watch one of our skilled…
Read MoreWhat is “DEAI” at Conner Prairie? We add “Accessibility” with extra Empathy.
Like many historical institutions across the country, Conner Prairie is working hard to fight the battle against systemic racism. In June of 2020, as many organizations and individuals were looking inward to determine “what is DEAI” in this organization, and how can we deepen our commitment to it, Conner Prairie developed the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility,…
Read MoreSpeak up: How self-advocacy helps women in business grow
Self-advocacy is critical in leadership – especially for women. Learn how confidence, honesty, and integrity can help you become a great leader.
Read MoreSpend Your Spring Break Exploring at Conner Prairie
Spend your spring break exploring
Read MoreDiscover the history makers of Black History Month
Madam CJ Walker forged a new path in Indianapolis “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” Madam C.J. Walker Earlier this year, Netflix released a miniseries about the life of Madam C.J.…
Read MoreConner Prairie Debuts Local Students’ Social Activism Documentary on MLK Day
New online experiences and free admission day celebrate Dr. King’s work January 6, 2021 INDIANAPOLIS – This year, Conner Prairie will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new way, premiering an online exhibit that can be safely explored from home. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Legacies of Social Justice examines…
Read MoreGratitude Tuesday
Gratitude Tuesday “Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.” -Anne Frank In 2020, our community, our nation, and our world experienced an unmatched reality unlike one we’ve ever lived through before. A pandemic took its toll on us all in so many different ways. We have…
Read MoreA Merry Prairie Holiday Tradition Continues at Conner Prairie
Festival adjustments ensure a safe experience during COVID-19 November 16, 2020 INDIANAPOLIS — For the second year in a row, visitors can once again enjoy A Merry Prairie Holiday while experiencing Conner Prairie’s magical festival in a new, safer way. Beginning Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 20 and on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 22-23,…
Read MoreAmerican Association for State and Local History Announces New Board Chair
President and CEO of Conner Prairie, Norman Burns, elected as chair to American Association for State and Local History board. Nashville, Tennessee (October 2, 2020) – The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announces the election of its new Council Chair, Norman Burns, President and Chief Executive Officer of Conner Prairie, one of…
Read MoreRehearsal Dinner at the Chinese House
September 25, 2020 When Karen and I got the good news that our son Dan had proposed marriage, and the even better news that Hillary said “yes”, we soon began to consider where we would host the rehearsal dinner. As soon as we saw Conner Prairie’s newly-renovated Chinese House and the adjoining Bluffs, we knew…
Read MoreConner Prairie Corn Maze Honors 200th Anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Maze opens Sept. 26 and features haunted hours for scare seekers FISHERS, Ind. (September 1, 2020) – This year, Conner Prairie’s award-winning corn maze won’t just challenge puzzle-hungry guests, it will serve up some screams, too. The maze – named one of the 10 best in the nation by USA Today in 2019 –transforms into…
Read MoreHeartland Film Announces Partnership with Conner Prairie for a Pop-Up Drive-In Theatre Experience
Heartland Film Announces Partnership with Conner Prairie for a Pop-Up Drive-In Theatre experience during the 29th Annual Heartland International Film Festival this October August 27, 2020 – Heartland Film has announced the exciting addition of a Conner Prairie Pop-Up Drive-In Theatre to its list of drive-in events scheduled for the 2020 Heartland International Film Festival…
Read MoreConner Prairie Opens Inclusive Playground
Ag Adventures at the Estridge Family Park is accessible to guests of all abilities.
Read MoreConner Prairie Unveils New Brand to Celebrate the Explorer Spirit
May 20, 2020 – Indianapolis, IN — When Conner Prairie’s grounds reopen later this spring, newly developed and revised programming across the grounds will help bring to life a reimagined brand that celebrates and elevates the explorer spirit that is at the heart of the museum.
Read MoreBroccoli Apple Slaw
Broccoli Apple Slaw Recipe What You’ll Need: 12 oz package broccoli slaw mix 1 diced apple 3/4 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup fat free greek yogurt 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup honey Instructions: Combine broccoli slaw mix, diced apple and dried cranberries into a bowl. In a separate bowl combine…
Read MoreApple Butter Coffee Cake
The Apple Store at Conner Prairie Presents: Apple Butter Coffee Cake What You’ll Need: 2 1/4 cup biscuit mix 2 tbsp sugar 1 cup apple butter 2 beaten eggs 3 tbsp brown sugar 1/4 tsp cloves 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together your biscuit mix,…
Read MoreApple Corn Muffins
Apple Corn Muffins Recipe What You’ll Need: 1 cup corn flour 1 tbsp baking powder 1 cup flour 1/2 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup milk 1 egg 1 apple, peeled and chopped 1/3 cup corn kernels Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In…
Read MoreTurkey Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Turkey Apple and Cheddar Grilled Cheese Recipe What You’ll Need: 2 slices of sourdough bread Butter 1/2 an apple cut into thick slices 2 slices each of white cheddar and Colby cheese 1 slice of turkey breast Instructions: Butter bread slices and set stove to medium heat. Place butter side down in the pan. Layer…
Read MoreChicken Curry Soup
Chicken Curry Soup Recipe What You’ll Need: 1 1/2 chopped apples 6oz frozen soup veggies 6oz frozen russet potatoes 6oz chopped chicken breast, cooked 1 tablespoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon each of coarse salt and ground white pepper 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 32oz chicken stock 1/4 cup apple cider 1 cup cream Instructions: In a…
Read MoreAutumn Flatbread
Learn how to make our Autumn Flatbread What You’ll Need: 1 Wewalka refrigerated flatbread dough 1 onion, sliced thinly 1 tablespoon butter 1-3 tablespoon olive oil half an apple, thickly sliced 4 oz blue cheese 2 oz prosciutto fresh thyme parchment paper Remove dough from wrapper and unwind. Place dough side down on fresh parchment…
Read MoreSourdough Diaries: Cinnamon Rolls Pt. 1
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Hey friends, the time has come for us to make cinnamon rolls. I’m very excited. For me, right now, it’s almost 10:00 in the evening. This is another one of those overnight doughs that we have to make ahead, but that’s very normal with sourdough baking. So it’s just something to…
Read MoreSourdough Diaries
Have you ever wondered how to make your own sourdough bread? Or wondered what it is? Follow along with our new series, The Sourdough Diaries.
Read MoreSourdough Diaries: Overnight Sourdough Pancakes
Have you ever wondered how to make your own sourdough bread? Or even wondered what is sourdough, anyways? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re starting a new series here called Sourdough Diaries.
Read More