Press Release

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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.

March 27, 2020 – Fishers, IN — In alignment with its peer organizations and recommendations from the CDC and Governor Holcomb, Conner Prairie will be extending its closure through Monday, April 13 to limit potential exposure to and spread of COVID-19. This continues to be a total closure, including exhibits and all scheduled special events.

March 13, 2020 – Fishers, IN — In alignment with its peer organizations and recommendations from the CDC and Governor Holcomb, Conner Prairie will be closed from Saturday, March 14 through Monday, March 30 to limit potential exposure to and spread of COVID-19. This is a total closure, including exhibits and all scheduled special events.

Families on a fixed or lower income often can’t afford to visit museums or attractions. The Access Pass presented by GEICO can help because it ensures that all families, regardless of income, can enjoy valuable learning opportunities at a greatly reduced price.

Conner Prairie and Sun King Brewery Announce Winner of Specialty Headless Horseman Brew Growler Art Contest

Conner Prairie Lights up A Merry Prairie Holiday with Donation of Reynolds Christmas Lights Reynolds gifts iconic light display to Museum’s new winter experience FISHERS, Ind. (Wednesday, July 24, 2019/Conner Prairie) – Conner Prairie, Reynolds Farm Equipment, the Reynolds Family and the festival title sponsor Conner Prairie Alliance surprise Central Indiana residents with an early…

Ninety-six percent of Americans believe it is important to look at our history to inform our future, according to a new national survey commissioned by the Smithsonian Affiliate – Conner Prairie. The results – out just prior to International Museum Day (May 18) – also reveal that 42 percent of Americans now have a higher level of curiosity in history as compared to this time last year.

Conner Prairie celebrated the legacy of iconic Indiana visionaries William Conner and Eli Lilly tonight during the 2018 Annual Meeting where the newly renovated Chinese House and The Bluffs debuted to the public for the first time.

LAST YEAR continued the trend of change and growth
at Conner Prairie. Once again thanks to our devoted and
remarkable staff and volunteers, 2018 was another eventful
year for us, proving to be our second best guest attendance
year, ever.

“The holidays are always a special time at Conner Prairie filled with joy and excitement of the season,” said Norman Burns, President and CEO at Conner Prairie. “It’s a time of spreading goodwill and building memories with those you love. This year we’re excited to give the gift of new experiences that will bring the whole community together on our historic property.”

Conner Prairie is set to open its historic outdoor grounds for the 2019 season with a special Spring Break Preview schedule beginning on March 26. Conner Prairie will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through April 7. Days of operation change from April 11-28; the museum will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Museum recognized for efforts to turn memory into action. FISHERS, Ind. (Wednesday, January 9, 2019) Conner Prairie has been named a Site of Conscience by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, an organization that encompasses the only global network of historic sites, museums and memory initiatives that connect past struggles to today’s movements for human…

This fall, Conner Prairie will debut a new early childhood program, Preschool on the Prairie, that combines outdoor exploration with an innovative curriculum creating an educational experience second to none. As our educational vision expands to better serve our youngest visitors, we intend to meet the need of providing early learning environments that allow small children to immerse themselves in nature and nurture them into independent thinkers.

Sun King and Conner Prairie partner to bring you “Ichabrewed Crane” for this year’s Headless Horseman festival. FISHERS, Ind. – After receiving more than 600 name submissions, Conner Prairie and Sun King Brewing Company announce “Ichabrewed Crane” as the official name of the Headless Horseman Festival brew. The list of more than 600 name submissions…

The 11-acre, Headless Horseman-designed corn maze opens this Saturday, Sept. 22 at Conner Prairie. Returning for a second year, the corn maze covers 479,000 square feet – 179,000 square feet larger than last year. The 2017 corn maze was named one of the “most insane corn mazes” in the country by Reader’s Digest.

Grant helps Conner Prairie bring interdisciplinary education to the classroom. FISHERS, Ind. (Wednesday, September 12, 2018/Conner Prairie) – Conner Prairie announced today that the museum is the recipient of a $70,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to help support Conner Prairie’s goal of bringing interdisciplinary education directly to elementary-age students in Indiana. The grant…

Conner Prairie today announced Saturday, Aug. 4 as First Responders Day to honor those who protect the community. First responders with a valid photo ID will receive free admission and their guests will receive a 50 percent discount on admission. The celebration will commence with celebratory remarks at 9:30 a.m. and Conner Prairie will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Conner Prairie today announced a partnership with Ritz Charles to invest more than $3 million to renovate and expand Eli Lilly’s historic Chinese House located on the grounds of Conner Prairie near 131st Street and Allisonville Road.

The Arapawa kids were born the week of March 19-23 to two Arapawa does through natural breeding. The new arrivals were about 5-7 pounds when born, said Conner Prairie Livestock Staff Interpreter Emily Nyman. They will nurse for about two months while their diet shifts to hay and grass.

Bank of America announced today a unique partnership with one of the country’s most-visited living history museums located in Indiana. The bank will be a new 2018 corporate sponsor of Conner Prairie, a nationally acclaimed, Smithsonian-affiliated museum founded in 1934.

Thirty-four students have been selected to be new youth volunteers at Conner Prairie for the 2018 season, raising the total number of youth in the program to the largest group the museum has ever assembled.

Conner Prairie, one of the most-visited outdoor history museums in the U.S., broke its all-time annual attendance record and several special event attendance records last year.

A new, year-round exhibit opening at Conner Prairie Jan. 11 will help visitors learn new skills and use their creativity to make items with their hands.

A new collection of museum theater performances that celebrates the lives and contributions of African-American Hoosiers will be performed each Saturday in February at Conner Prairie.