Events and Programs
Calendar of Events
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6 events,
We Can Camp!
Love the idea of camping as a family but don't know where to start? Join us as you learn basic camping skills, enjoy fun outdoor experiences and spend the night on our grounds in a tent! This program is perfect for first-time campers or anyone looking for a refresher. We provide all the camping gear you'll need, along with modern restrooms and overnight security. Learn More about We Can Camp! Check-in Saturday at 1 p.m. / Check out Sunday at…
Lifecycle of Wool
Lifecycle of Wool
Enjoy the step-by-step process of wool! From sheering sheep to knitting gloves, wool goes through quite the process before it becomes the clothes we wear. Stop by the loom house, Animal Encounters or Prairietown and enjoy demonstrations that show each step along the way! This program is free with general admission. Please note: All springtime activities are subject to change and dependent on weather.
Make & Take: Bird Feeders
Make & Take: Bird Feeders
Join us at Lenape for a fun, hands-on experience making your own bird feeder for just $5! This Make and Take lets you craft a simple feeder using natural materials perfect for attracting local wildlife to your backyard. Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase General Admission tickets.
Free Forest Therapy Experience
Free Forest Therapy Experience
This weekend, discover the restorative power of nature with a free introductory Forest Therapy experience at Conner Prairie! Guided by a certified forest therapy guide, this mini-session invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with the natural world—all on Indiana’s first and only certified Forest Therapy trail. Experience a peaceful escape and get a glimpse of the full Forest Therapy program, designed to promote mindfulness and well-being. Please note: A general admission ticket is required to participate.…
Free Forest Therapy Experience
Free Forest Therapy Experience
This weekend, discover the restorative power of nature with a free introductory Forest Therapy experience at Conner Prairie! Guided by a certified forest therapy guide, this mini-session invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with the natural world—all on Indiana’s first and only certified Forest Therapy trail. Experience a peaceful escape and get a glimpse of the full Forest Therapy program, designed to promote mindfulness and well-being. Please note: A general admission ticket is required to participate.…
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
1 event,
Curious By Nature
Curious By Nature
Join us for our Homeschool nature program, Curious by Nature, designed to enhance your current home studies by offering your children the time, space and freedom to let their innate curiosity for the natural world around them thrive! Research has proven (and we are listening!) that spending time outdoors in nature has a multitude of benefits, especially for children as they are continuing to grow. We are excited to invite you and your homeschool community to join us as we…
1 event,
Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting
Building Bridges: Honoring Journeys, Embracing Voices Join us for the 2025 Conner Prairie Annual Meeting, where we reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and look ahead to the future of storytelling, inclusivity, and community engagement. This year’s theme, Building Bridges: Honoring Journeys, Embracing Voices, highlights the impact of Promised Land as Proving Ground, celebrates diverse programming and partnerships, and introduces the next steps in Lenape storytelling initiatives. RSVP Today
1 event,
Weekday Wanders
Weekday Wanders
During Weekday Wanders, find a deeper connection with nature as you explore the Trails at Conner Prairie on a guided stroll. Each stroll will focus on a different theme to build knowledge of, connection with, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Unless otherwise mentioned, these strolls will be led by members of the Conner Prairie Education team. These wanders are free with admission and begin at the main entrance gate. Purchase General Admission Tickets Dates: April 2:…
0 events,
1 event,
Playtime Meet Up
Playtime Meet Up
Join us for an exclusive time of play and discovery especially for our youngest guests ages 6 years and younger an hour before Conner Prairie opens to the public. Your little ones will have special access to their favorite spots before the big kids arrive for the day! Gather your friends, check in at the main gate entrance and follow an education staff member to a special play spot. Then enjoy the quiet morning and beauty of nature visiting with…
5 events,
We Can Camp!
Love the idea of camping as a family but don't know where to start? Join us as you learn basic camping skills, enjoy fun outdoor experiences and spend the night on our grounds in a tent! This program is perfect for first-time campers or anyone looking for a refresher. We provide all the camping gear you'll need, along with modern restrooms and overnight security. Learn More about We Can Camp! Check-in Saturday at 1 p.m. / Check out Sunday at…
Woodturning for Beginners
Woodturning for Beginners
In the nineteenth century, the lathe was an indispensable tool for chair makers, furniture makers, and other skilled woodworkers. This tool provides essential opportunities that continue to develop throughout the twentieth century and today, where woodturning provides endless potential for useful and decorative purposes. In this class, learn the basics of woodturning while making simple and elegant projects including a candleholder, a rolling pin, and a honey dipper. This two-session class celebrates all the possibilities created from a single machine…
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
Wedding of Convenience
Wedding of Convenience
Mr. Hawkins' wife Lydia passed away earlier in the spring, leaving Solomon to raise 7 children, including a newborn. The widowed Mr. Hawkins knows he is in need of a new wife, and someone to help take care of the children and home. Ruth Curtis, having given up hope that she’ll find a love match to marry, says yes. Come witness the nuptials of Solomon Hawkins and Ruth Curtis and see how a Methodist wedding of convenience differs from a…
6 events,
Woodturning for Beginners
Woodturning for Beginners
In the nineteenth century, the lathe was an indispensable tool for chair makers, furniture makers, and other skilled woodworkers. This tool provides essential opportunities that continue to develop throughout the twentieth century and today, where woodturning provides endless potential for useful and decorative purposes. In this class, learn the basics of woodturning while making simple and elegant projects including a candleholder, a rolling pin, and a honey dipper. This two-session class celebrates all the possibilities created from a single machine…
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Forest Therapy: Sunday Sessions
Forest Therapy: Sunday Sessions
Experience the pleasures of nature through all your senses, led by a certified Forest Therapy guide. Forest Therapy is a guided walk that invites participants to slow down and experience nature spaces in new ways. It’s a time to intentionally surround yourself in nature without distraction. Your guide will offer a range of invitations to support “bathing” in the sights, sounds, textures, and smells in a shared natural setting. Purchase Tickets Sunday Sessions May 4: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (ages 16+)…
Wedding of Convenience
Wedding of Convenience
Mr. Hawkins' wife Lydia passed away earlier in the spring, leaving Solomon to raise 7 children, including a newborn. The widowed Mr. Hawkins knows he is in need of a new wife, and someone to help take care of the children and home. Ruth Curtis, having given up hope that she’ll find a love match to marry, says yes. Come witness the nuptials of Solomon Hawkins and Ruth Curtis and see how a Methodist wedding of convenience differs from a…
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
0 events,
1 event,
Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to…
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Heirloom Plant Sale
Heirloom Plant Sale
Give the gift of history and add some historic flair to your Mother’s Day weekend with our Spring Heritage Market! Choose from a wide variety of heirloom plants, including a selection of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Our experts will be available to help you choose the right kind for annual or perennial for your garden and answer any questions that you may have. In addition, we will have available a selection of beautiful textiles, pottery and distinguished items from our…
Spring Heritage Market (Heirloom Plant Sale)
Spring Heritage Market (Heirloom Plant Sale)
Give the gift of history and add some historic flare to your Mother’s Day weekend with our Spring Heritage Market! Choose from a wide variety of heirloom plants including a selection of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Our experts will be available to help you choose the right kind for annual or perennial for your garden and answer any questions that you may have. In addition, we will have available a selection of beautiful textiles, pottery and distinguished items from our…
Ladies’ Night Series
Ladies’ Night Series
Gather your friends and escape to Ladies’ Nights at Conner Prairie—a series of unique, adults-only experiences designed for relaxation, creativity, and connection. Whether you're strolling through historic gardens with herb-infused cocktails, sipping rosé while making floral arrangements, or unwinding with yoga and mindfulness under the sunset, each event offers the perfect blend of fun and self-care. Enjoy delicious drinks, hands-on activities, and the beauty of nature in a welcoming, 21+ setting. Mark your calendar and treat yourself to a night…
5 events,
African American cooking demonstration
African American cooking demonstration
Come and see what's cooking! Stop by the Origins Cabin to see a historical cooking demonstration of food and recipes that originate from Africa. This program is free with general admission.
Spring Heritage Market (Heirloom Plant Sale)
Spring Heritage Market (Heirloom Plant Sale)
Give the gift of history and add some historic flare to your Mother’s Day weekend with our Spring Heritage Market! Choose from a wide variety of heirloom plants including a selection of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Our experts will be available to help you choose the right kind for annual or perennial for your garden and answer any questions that you may have. In addition, we will have available a selection of beautiful textiles, pottery and distinguished items from our…
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Heirloom Plant Sale
Heirloom Plant Sale
Give the gift of history and add some historic flair to your Mother’s Day weekend with our Spring Heritage Market! Choose from a wide variety of heirloom plants, including a selection of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Our experts will be available to help you choose the right kind for annual or perennial for your garden and answer any questions that you may have. In addition, we will have available a selection of beautiful textiles, pottery and distinguished items from our…
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
4 events,
Mother’s Day Brunch
Celebrate that special person in your life by joining us for our Mother's Day brunch. Relax, let us do the cooking, and make the day special with a delicious variety of items to choose from. All tickets to Mother's Day brunch are sold out.
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Mother’s Day Tea Party
Mother’s Day Tea Party
Join Mrs. Campbell and her daughter Lillian, as well as other Prairietown Folks for a Mother's Day Tea Party! Event will be in the afternoon but all day the Campbells and other folks will be getting ready for the Tea Party. With a Taste of the Past included. This program is free with general admission
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
0 events,
2 events,
Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to…
Curious Conversations: Speaker Series
Curious Conversations: Speaker Series
Tune into Curious Conversations as we host a rotation of outside speakers and experts on Indiana History. Topics to include: natural science, history, folklore, and civics. The goal is to bring experts for you to learn about a wide range of topics. Reserve your free ticket Geriann Albers, Certified Wildlife Biologist at Indiana DNR - Ms. Albers will be discussing central Indiana fur bearing mammals Date: February 18, 2025 Time: 7–8 p.m. Location: Prairie House #42 on the guest map…
1 event,
Weekday Wanders
Weekday Wanders
During Weekday Wanders, find a deeper connection with nature as you explore the Trails at Conner Prairie on a guided stroll. Each stroll will focus on a different theme to build knowledge of, connection with, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Unless otherwise mentioned, these strolls will be led by members of the Conner Prairie Education team. These wanders are free with admission and begin at the main entrance gate. Purchase General Admission Tickets Dates: April 2:…
1 event,
Read, Rock & Roll!
Read, Rock & Roll!
Enjoy a casual, relaxed morning specially designed to encourage community and connection with others and with your child. Indulge in yummy breakfast treats and drinks before you roll along our trails with your strollers and wagons in tow. Along the path you'll discover cozy spots to stop at your leisure and rock a little, read a good story together, let your child's curiosity roam free or chat for a while as you slow down, breathe deeply and take in the…
1 event,
Playtime Meet Up
Playtime Meet Up
Join us for an exclusive time of play and discovery especially for our youngest guests ages 6 years and younger an hour before Conner Prairie opens to the public. Your little ones will have special access to their favorite spots before the big kids arrive for the day! Gather your friends, check in at the main gate entrance and follow an education staff member to a special play spot. Then enjoy the quiet morning and beauty of nature visiting with…
21 events,
Heritage Breeds Week
Come celebrate Heritage Breeds Week with us! Participate in exciting activities, watch fascinating demonstrations, learn about Conner Prairie’s efforts to preserve heritage breeds, and discover what makes these rare animals so special. Meet and Greet with animals all across the grounds. Learn about how livestock has changed throughout the years from farmers of the past and farmers today. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Sheep to Scarf
Heritage Breeds Week: Sheep to Scarf
Watch the youth spinning team as they transform wool all the way from sheep to a finished scarf! Learn more about Heritage Breeds week. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take
Heritage Breeds Week: Wool Dryer Ball Make & Take
Learn how to make an eco-friendly, money-saving alternative to dryer sheets, and make a real wool dryer ball to take home. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Come listen to fun farm stories read by author and Ag Staff member Chele Denney! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Oxen Driving Demonstration
Heritage Breeds Week: Oxen Driving Demonstration
Watch and learn what oxen are and how they are trained, while our Randall Lineback oxen show off their skills! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Promised Land as Proving Ground Heritage Breeds Week Guided Walk
Promised Land as Proving Ground Heritage Breeds Week Guided Walk
Join us in celebrating Heritage Breeds Week with a guided walk through Promised Land as Proving Ground. This walk explores the connection between African American history and rare breeds. This program is free with general admission.
17 events,
Heritage Breeds Week Activities
Heritage Breeds Week Activities
At the central hub for Heritage Breeds Week, stop by and explore different activities available at your leisure such as an animal product matching game, coloring sheets, build a breed, forage identification and more! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Art with Heart
Heritage Breeds Week: Art with Heart
Explore a variety of loose parts and utilize art materials to create animal-themed art! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Act It Out Theater
Heritage Breeds Week: Act It Out Theater
Do you love to be on stage? Bring your ideas and creativity to participate in imaginative and dramatic play! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Cast your vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters! This will be ongoing for the week in the barn, but on Friday, mingle with the candidates at the morning Creature Feature before the winner is announced that afternoon. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage breeds Week: Dairy Taste Test
Heritage breeds Week: Dairy Taste Test
Enjoy the opportunity to sample dairy products from three different species of animals: sheep, goats, and cattle! Compare the flavors of each type of product or try your hand at identifying what kind of animal each sample comes from. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
2 events,
Curious By Nature
Curious By Nature
Join us for our Homeschool nature program, Curious by Nature, designed to enhance your current home studies by offering your children the time, space and freedom to let their innate curiosity for the natural world around them thrive! Research has proven (and we are listening!) that spending time outdoors in nature has a multitude of benefits, especially for children as they are continuing to grow. We are excited to invite you and your homeschool community to join us as we…
9 events,
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Cast your vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters! This will be ongoing for the week in the barn, but on Friday, mingle with the candidates at the morning Creature Feature before the winner is announced that afternoon. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to…
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Come listen to fun farm stories read by author and Ag Staff member Chele Denney! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Each day, get up close and personal with one of our heritage breed animals. Depending on the day, they might meet an American Rabbit, our Randall Lineback oxen, a Tunis Sheep, or an Arapawa Goat. On Saturday and Sunday, guests will be able to mingle with the candidates for Mayor of Animal Encounters. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Stop by throughout the afternoon and help the Prairietown citizens with chores such as skirting wool, scything, cleaning the barn, building fence, etc., while learning about the importance of livestock in Indiana history! Learn more about Heritage Breeds week. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
8 events,
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Cast your vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters! This will be ongoing for the week in the barn, but on Friday, mingle with the candidates at the morning Creature Feature before the winner is announced that afternoon. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Come listen to fun farm stories read by author and Ag Staff member Chele Denney! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Each day, get up close and personal with one of our heritage breed animals. Depending on the day, they might meet an American Rabbit, our Randall Lineback oxen, a Tunis Sheep, or an Arapawa Goat. On Saturday and Sunday, guests will be able to mingle with the candidates for Mayor of Animal Encounters. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Stop by throughout the afternoon and help the Prairietown citizens with chores such as skirting wool, scything, cleaning the barn, building fence, etc., while learning about the importance of livestock in Indiana history! Learn more about Heritage Breeds week. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Ossabaw Observations
Heritage Breeds Week: Ossabaw Observations
Help the Ag Staff create enrichment activities for our Ossabaw Island Hogs while you learn about their diets and natural behaviors. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
10 events,
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Cast your vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters! This will be ongoing for the week in the barn, but on Friday, mingle with the candidates at the morning Creature Feature before the winner is announced that afternoon. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Forest Therapy: Thursday Sessions
Forest Therapy: Thursday Sessions
Experience the pleasures of nature through all your senses, led by a certified Forest Therapy guide. Forest Therapy is a guided walk that invites participants to slow down and experience nature spaces in new ways. It’s a time to intentionally surround yourself in nature without distraction. Your guide will offer a range of invitations to support “bathing” in the sights, sounds, textures, and smells in a shared natural setting. Purchase Tickets Thursday Sessions (Ages 16+) May 22: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.…
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Come listen to fun farm stories read by author and Ag Staff member Chele Denney! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Each day, get up close and personal with one of our heritage breed animals. Depending on the day, they might meet an American Rabbit, our Randall Lineback oxen, a Tunis Sheep, or an Arapawa Goat. On Saturday and Sunday, guests will be able to mingle with the candidates for Mayor of Animal Encounters. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Stop by throughout the afternoon and help the Prairietown citizens with chores such as skirting wool, scything, cleaning the barn, building fence, etc., while learning about the importance of livestock in Indiana history! Learn more about Heritage Breeds week. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
8 events,
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Heritage Breeds Week: Mayor of Animal Encounters Voting
Cast your vote for the Mayor of Animal Encounters! This will be ongoing for the week in the barn, but on Friday, mingle with the candidates at the morning Creature Feature before the winner is announced that afternoon. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Heritage Breeds Week: Storytime
Come listen to fun farm stories read by author and Ag Staff member Chele Denney! Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Heritage Breeds Week: Creature Feature
Each day, get up close and personal with one of our heritage breed animals. Depending on the day, they might meet an American Rabbit, our Randall Lineback oxen, a Tunis Sheep, or an Arapawa Goat. On Saturday and Sunday, guests will be able to mingle with the candidates for Mayor of Animal Encounters. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Heritage Breeds Week: Farm Chores
Stop by throughout the afternoon and help the Prairietown citizens with chores such as skirting wool, scything, cleaning the barn, building fence, etc., while learning about the importance of livestock in Indiana history! Learn more about Heritage Breeds week. Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
Heritage Breeds Week: Ossabaw Observations
Heritage Breeds Week: Ossabaw Observations
Help the Ag Staff create enrichment activities for our Ossabaw Island Hogs while you learn about their diets and natural behaviors. Learn more about Heritage Breeds Week Heritage Breeds Week is free with general admission.
9 events,
Black Birders Week
Join us for Indiana’s first-ever Black Birders Week, a week-long program dedicated to uplift Black nature enthusiasts while highlighting the visibility of Black birders in nature. Throughout the week, experience an engaging mix of virtual and in-person events including bird-focused play invitations, Guided Beginner Bird Walks and more! Learn more about the Trails at Conner Prairie.
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
River Crossing Splash Pad Open
River Crossing Splash Pad Open
Our splash area is the perfect place to cool down during your visit. Kids can have fun boarding the Alice Dean steamboat, firing water cannons, guiding toy boats along the river and more. This area is full of hands-on activities that encourage pretend play and family interaction. This experience is free with general admission. Learn more about River Crossing
Weekend Wanders
Weekend Wanders
Find a deeper connection with nature as you explore the Trails at Conner Prairie on a guided stroll. Each stroll will focus on a different theme to build knowledge of, connection with, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Unless otherwise mentioned, these strolls will be led by members of the Conner Prairie Education team. Learn more about this program These wanders are free with admission and begin at the main entrance gate. Purchase General Admission Tickets
Museum Theater: The story of Lucy Nichols
Museum Theater: The story of Lucy Nichols
Come and hear about Lucy Nichols and her story about resistance and reclamation. This program is free with general admission. Location: Prairietown grove
Weekend Wanders
Weekend Wanders
Find a deeper connection with nature as you explore the Trails at Conner Prairie on a guided stroll. Each stroll will focus on a different theme to build knowledge of, connection with, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Unless otherwise mentioned, these strolls will be led by members of the Conner Prairie Education team. Learn more about this program These wanders are free with admission and begin at the main entrance gate. Purchase General Admission Tickets
3 events,
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
2 events,
Open for Memorial Day
Open for Memorial Day
We will be open for Memorial Day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.! Plan your visit today and purchase tickets.
2 events,
Stroller Strides
Stroller Strides
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Stroller Strides instructors weave songs and activities into the routine designed to…
2 events,
Weekday Wanders
Weekday Wanders
During Weekday Wanders, find a deeper connection with nature as you explore the Trails at Conner Prairie on a guided stroll. Each stroll will focus on a different theme to build knowledge of, connection with, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Unless otherwise mentioned, these strolls will be led by members of the Conner Prairie Education team. These wanders are free with admission and begin at the main entrance gate. Purchase General Admission Tickets Dates: April 2:…
5 events,
Homeschool Days
Homeschool Days
Join us at Conner Prairie for homeschool day! Any homeschool family can visit Conner Prairie for our current school group rates without the usual requirement of having a group of 15 students or more. These rates are per student with one primary educator free per family and additional adults at the chaperone rate. Give your students a unique and personal experience to connect with history and nature. At Conner Prairie we invite guests to “Step into the Story,” and we…
Owl Pellet Dissection with Indiana Audubon
Owl Pellet Dissection with Indiana Audubon
Explore and dissect owl pellets to gain a better understanding of an owl's diet, hunting patterns and how they're connected to the surrounding habitats. Limited capacity, sign up for this free program at the Clowes Greeter desk near the balloon. Time: 1:30–2 p.m. and 2:30–3 p.m. Location: Featherston Patio Give your students a unique and personal experience to connect with history and nature. At Conner Prairie we invite guests to “Step into the Story,” and we also strive to step into theirs.…
Owl Pellet Dissection with Indiana Audubon
Owl Pellet Dissection with Indiana Audubon
Explore and dissect owl pellets to gain a better understanding of an owl's diet, hunting patterns and how they're connected to the surrounding habitats. Limited capacity, sign up for this free program at the Clowes Greeter desk near the balloon. Time: 1:30–2 p.m. and 2:30–3 p.m. Location: Featherston Patio Give your students a unique and personal experience to connect with history and nature. At Conner Prairie we invite guests to “Step into the Story,” and we also strive to step into theirs.…
Sunset Stroll
Sunset Stroll
A glowing sunset that stretches across the open prairie is an unforgettable experience. Take an evening stroll with fellow nature enthusiasts and engage in insightful conversations about nature. Each stroll focuses on a different theme to build knowledge, connection, and appreciation of the natural world around us. Learn more about the Trails at Conner Prairie. A trail mix bar and cash bar will be available before the stroll from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The Trails stroll will take place…
1 event,
4 events,
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Make & Take: Beaded Bracelets
Visit Lenape for a $5 Make and Take beaded bracelet workshop, where you can create your own unique accessory using traditional beadwork techniques. Learn about the cultural significance of different types of beads as you craft a beautiful bracelet to take home. This hands-on activity is a fun way to connect with Native American artistry and add a personal touch to your style! Location: Lenape Indian Camp (Next to #24 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes…
Historic Baseball Game
Historic Baseball Game
The 2025 Historic Baseball season is back! Join us for amazing games featuring local baseball clubs playing by 1864, 1869 and 1886 rules. The event will start at noon with opening festivities, featuring the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the “Star Spangled Banner,” introduction of the players and the first pitch. Free with daily admission
Make & Take: Soap Making
Make & Take: Soap Making
Come to Prairietown for a $5 Make and Take soap-making workshop, where you'll learn to create your own soap using traditional methods. It's a perfect way to discover the art of soap-making while connecting with the past! Location: Prairietown Kiln Shed (Next to #14 on the Guest Map) or Prairietown Carpenter Shed (Next to #13 on the Guest Map) Please note: All Make and Takes are subject to change and dependent on weather. Learn more about our hours and purchase…
Basic Blacksmithing
January 27 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Forge new skills by learning the essential elements of blacksmithing. Join us in the Modern Blacksmith Shop where stewardship and tradition meet innovation. In this workshop, you will learn how to use our traditional coal-fired forge, gain hammer and anvil experience to help your project take shape, and get perspectives about the overall history and importance of blacksmithing.
This class starts off by creating basic hooks and wall hooks. We will then progress through projects including a flint striker, cold chisel, fireplace poker, cooking fork, and candle holder. As a result of these projects, you will understand processes including the following:
- Drawing out to lengthen or thin metal
- Punching holes
- Bending
- Riveting
- Welding
- Hardening
- Heating and cooling metal through tempering
Learn more about our historic classes.
This class is for individuals ages 14+. Anyone under the age of 16 must register with an adult.
Monday evenings, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
Classes for this program are as follows:
- January 13
- January 20
- January 27
- February 3
- February 10
Location: Modern Blacksmith Shop, location #37 on map
Prices:
Members: $270 | Nonmembers: $300
About the Teacher
Nathan Allen was born and raised in Neosho, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains. From a young age, I had an interest in history and working with my hands. From the time I was in grade school, I had developed a fascination with hand tools and making things in a traditional manner. By junior high, I rigged up a forge, made my own charcoal and began a lifelong interest in blacksmithing that led to an interest in teaching the craft. By High School Shop, I led a group of students in building a coal forge, hammering out, and finishing blades.
Nathan earned a degree in historic preservation, with an emphasis in historic site administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Nathan’s professional career began as an intern in the Blacksmith Shop at Conner Prairie the summer of 1995. After graduating, he began working full time at Conner Prairie as the manager of the Historic Trades program. Along with blacksmithing, I am also a woodworker and have spent years teaching classes at Conner Prairie.
Nathan has had the privilege of working directly with some great blacksmiths, including Melvin Lytton, Hershel House, Peter Ross, Tom Latane, Jim Slining, Steve Miller, Tom Clark and Clifton Ralph. His goal in historic trades is to pursue an uncomplicated approach to forging, stressing good ergonomics, proper hammer control and technique and foundational skills. Through his instruction, he has led many classes at Conner Prairie with the purpose that they can be enjoyed by those with just a passing curiosity for the craft or for those who are more serious in pursuing refinement of their skills.