Learning

Centennial Anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Law: Protecting Native Rights

June 3, 2024

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 More

What you need to know about Indiana’s first-ever Black Birders Week

May 8, 2024

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

Gifts of Love

February 29, 2024

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 More

Black Feminism in Indiana

February 21, 2024

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 More

The Domestic Fight for Equity in the 20th Century

February 20, 2024

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 More

The Importance of the White River

September 29, 2023
Areal view of the White River

History, for many, brings to mind the seemingly endless list of names and dates we memorized during our years in school.  I’m not going to bore you with names and…

Read More

How Do We Know That People Actually Learn at Museums?

September 11, 2023

You may be like me in that every time you go to a new city you want to see a local museum (or maybe that’s a me thing). While you’re…

Read More

Exploring History Through Conner Prairie’s Chautauqua Series

August 2, 2023
Stereograph Of Madison, Indiana Chautauqua – July, 1901

Stereograph of Madison, Indiana Chautauqua – July, 1901 In 1878, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) was founded to provide those who could not afford the time or money…

Read More

A Wallet’s Journey from a dark cellar to Conner Prairie’s Collection

June 5, 2023
Reviewing the wallet for the collection

The Wallet’s Journey Every donation starts with a phone call or an email. Or, when someone walks through the front door of the museum with a box of old stuff.…

Read More

Birding at Conner Prairie

March 27, 2023

What motivates you to spend time outside? Perhaps it’s a sunny day and you want to take a walk with friends or family. It could be that you’ve been spending time on…

Read More

Partnering to Support Quality Early Learning Experiences

March 9, 2023

Conner Prairie is a landmark in central Indiana. It is a beautiful example of quality play-based experiences and is a natural partner for Child Care Answers (CCA). Together, we saw…

Read More

Staff Recommendations: Women Who Inspire

March 8, 2023

This year’s national Women’s History Month theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Who inspires you to pursue truth and reflect on the human condition? Is it an inspirational…

Read More

The Lingering Power of Love

January 12, 2023

What comes to mind when you think of Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Is it his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, his contributions to the civil rights movement, or…

Read More

The Powerful Magic of Play at Playtime on the Prairie

December 12, 2022
Children playing at playtime on the prairie -

When was the last time you played? I mean really played. The kind of playing that takes you back to a time and a place in your childhood where you…

Read More

Inventing the Holidays

December 1, 2022
father and daughter at spark!Lab

As you are decorating your home and wrapping presents, you might begin to wonder about the origins of all the things that make our holidays merry and bright. They, just…

Read More

Conner Prairie’s Land and Its Impact on Fishers

November 4, 2022
William Conner House

Known as one of the best living history museums in the country, Conner Prairie is demonstrative of Fishers’ history and Indiana history as a whole. The museum was built around…

Read More

The impact of Native American Heritage Month

November 1, 2022
Image of Lenape Indian camp

Native American Heritage Month became official in the United States in 1990 after Congress and President George H. Bush signed a resolution that designated November as the first National American…

Read More

New Smithsonian-Affiliated Exhibit Cultivates the Power of Ideas

August 8, 2022
Kids at spark!Lab

What if I told you that anyone could be an inventor? What would you say? Some might say, “Oh geez, aren’t inventors, like. . . really, really smart? Don’t they…

Read More

The impact of our new Smithsonian-affiliated exhibits

July 25, 2022

A Q+A with Dr. Richard Kurin Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, focuses on strategic direction, institutional partnerships, public representation, philanthropic support and special initiatives at the Smithsonian.…

Read More

The Power of Field Trips Provide Learning Opportunities

July 7, 2022
Family riding 1859 Balloon Voyage

What do you think of first when you think of field trips? Whatever it was that first came to mind, that is learning. Be it the taste of a sack…

Read More

Investing in the next generation

July 5, 2022
Family playing with the wooden stilts

At Conner Prairie, we strive to inspire curiosity and foster learning for kids of all ages. We invest in the next generation. And we’re able to do that through high-quality,…

Read More

Top 5: Strange Brews

May 20, 2022

Americans annually drink, on average, around 30 gallons of beer. That average isn’t much different from 19th century consumption, but the beer being drunk is definitely in a different class.…

Read More

Why Livestock Conservancy is an important leader for heritage breeds

May 17, 2022
kids with sheep

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

How a birthday party became a national holiday

February 18, 2022

The day we celebrate as Presidents’ Day is legally known as “George Washington’s Birthday,” and that is how the holiday originated.

Read More

Black History 365: Understanding the Past in Order to Move Forward

February 17, 2022

Each February the accomplishments and history of African Americans are celebrated in Black History Month. What does that mean? When was Black History Month first recognized? Why was February selected?…

Read More

The Journey of Belonging

October 8, 2021
Preschool Students Playing In Sandbox

“In its silent way, belonging is the central conversation of our times.” – Toko-pa Turner The Process of Unlearning The Student Experience Research Network defines belonging as “the sense that…

Read More

The Third Teacher

August 11, 2021
Preschool Students Exploring Conner Prairie Grounds

Wherever you are right now, stop, look up, and then scan the space you are in. How would you describe it? Use your senses to notice what your space looks…

Read More

Learning History, Culture, and Inclusivity Through Youth Theatre

August 3, 2021
Asante Children’s Theatre actors

Through the Academy Summer Intensive produced in partnership with Asante Children’s Theatre and Conner Prairie, Indianapolis children are able to learn both the art of theatre and American history along…

Read More

How Do You Play?

July 14, 2021
Clown and audience member interacting

In 1994, at 25 years of age, I penned, produced, and performed my first one-man show, He Can Amuse Himself for Hours. Chicago Reader critic, Justin Hayford, viewed the work…

Read More

The Art of Unlearning: Where Children Become their Own Teachers

June 8, 2021
Student Using Colored Shapes on Projector

I want you to imagine what early learning looks like. Do you imagine tiny, child-sized desks, the alphabet on the wall, and an explosion of primary colors? Do you think…

Read More