Press Release

Conner Prairie Enacts Stabilization Project to Help Improve Drinking Water for Half a Million Hamilton County Residents

April 22, 2021
White River in Indianapolis

The planting, part of the Duke Energy Foundation-funded Shoreline Stabilization Project, will improve drinking water for nearly 540,000 Hamilton County residents April 22, 2021 INDIANAPOLIS — This week, Conner Prairie…

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Conner Prairie Looks Back at 2020 During Virtual Annual Meeting

April 9, 2021
Busin

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…

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Conner Prairie Debuts Local Students’ Social Activism Documentary on MLK Day

January 6, 2021

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.…

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A Merry Prairie Holiday Tradition Continues at Conner Prairie

November 17, 2020

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…

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American Association for State and Local History Announces New Board Chair

October 15, 2020
American Association for State and Local History Logo

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…

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Conner Prairie Corn Maze Honors 200th Anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

September 1, 2020
2020 Corn Maze Design

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…

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Heartland Film Announces Partnership with Conner Prairie for a Pop-Up Drive-In Theatre Experience

August 27, 2020

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…

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Conner Prairie Opens Inclusive Playground

July 22, 2020
Aerial view of playground

Ag Adventures at the Estridge Family Park is accessible to guests of all abilities.

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Conner Prairie Unveils New Brand to Celebrate the Explorer Spirit

May 26, 2020
CP Logo

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.

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Conner Prairie Extends Temporarily Closure in Response to COVID-19 Recommendations

March 30, 2020
Conner Prairie

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.

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Conner Prairie Temporarily Closed in Response to COVID-19 Recommendations All exhibits closed and scheduled events cancelled through March 30, 2020

March 13, 2020
1859 Balloon Voyage

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.

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Access Pass Provides Fun and Learning at Greatly Reduced Cost at Multiple Attractions

February 7, 2020
Access Pass

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.

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Conner Prairie Selected to Receive $104,500 Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

September 13, 2019
IMLS

Museum Empowered Grant will allow Conner Prairie to fulfill its promise of providing inclusive experiences for ALL

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Conner Prairie to Host First Deaf Heritage Day

September 11, 2019
LUNA Language Services

Conner Prairie is proud to partner with the Indiana School for the Deaf and LUNA Language Services to embrace and celebrate Deaf history in Indiana.

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USA Today Names Conner Prairie Corn Maze One of the 10 Best in U.S.

September 9, 2019

USA Today Names Conner Prairie Corn Maze One of the 10 Best in U.S.

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

August 22, 2019
Sun King - Conner Prairie Growler B

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

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Conner Prairie Lights up A Merry Prairie Holiday with Donation of Reynolds Christmas Lights

July 24, 2019
A Merry Prairie Holiday

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…

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New Survey: Nine in 10 Americans Say Our Past Should Inform Our Future; Curiosity in History Expands Across Generations with Millennials Leading the Way

May 16, 2019
Media Center

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.

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Conner Prairie Unveils Newly Renovated Chinese House and The Bluffs, Hosts Annual Meeting in Historic Lilly Retreat

April 25, 2019
Chinese House

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.

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Annual Report 2018

April 18, 2019
2018 Annual Report

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.

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Conner Prairie to Ring in 2019 Holiday Season with Brand New Celebrations throughout Historic Grounds

April 15, 2019
Merry Prairie Holiday

“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.”

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Spring Break Preview begins March 26, opening day of Conner Prairie’s 2019 outdoor season

March 25, 2019
spring bees on flowers

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.

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Conner Prairie Recognized as Site of Conscience by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience

January 10, 2019
ICSC Logo

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…

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Conner Prairie Announces Preschool on the Prairie

January 8, 2019
Preschool on the Prairie

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.

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Conner Prairie Partners with Sun King Brewing Company to Create a Specialty Brew for Headless Horseman

September 28, 2018
Headless Horseman

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…

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Conner Prairie to Open Headless Horseman-Designed Corn Maze on the First Day of Fall

September 19, 2018

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.

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Duke Energy Foundation Grant Helps Conner Prairie Bring STEM Education to the Classroom

September 13, 2018
Duke Energy gift

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…

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Conner Prairie to Honor First Responders with Free Admission

May 21, 2018

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.

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Conner Prairie and Ritz Charles Partner to Reopen Historic Chinese House as Stunning Event Venue

May 2, 2018
Chinese House

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.

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3 of world’s rarest breed of goats born at Conner Prairie

April 18, 2018
Animal Encounters - Arapawa Goats

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.

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