Events and Programs
Calendar of Events
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1 event,
Grounds closed for daytime experience
On October 28, we close the grounds to the general public and begin turning Conner Prairie into a winter wonderland for our holiday festival, A Merry Prairie Holiday, presented by Everwise Credit Union. Fridays through Sundays, November 29 – 30 and December 6 – 22, join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday, presented by Everwise Credit Union. Surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and celebrate the holidays in…
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
3 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
American Sign Language Tours at A Merry Prairie Holiday
American Sign Language Tours at A Merry Prairie Holiday
December 13 and 21, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For guests who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing, we will be offering ASL tours. Each tour will be guided by an ASL interpreter who will communicate between guests and historical interpreters. Groups will make stops at the Golden Eagle Inn, a campfire to warm up with songs and stories with Prairietown locals, the soiree at the Campbell House, the home of the Turner family to learn about nineteenth-century African American holiday customs,…
3 events,
Fun in the Forge
Fun in the Forge
At Fun in the Forge, you will have the opportunity to be a blacksmith for a day. Create simple projects such as hooks, a flint and steel firestarter (with instructions on how to use it) and a dinner bell. All tools and materials will be provided. Ages 13+ (ages 16 and under must register with an adult). Learn more about our classes. Price: Member: $95 Nonmember: $105
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
3 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
American Sign Language Tours at A Merry Prairie Holiday
American Sign Language Tours at A Merry Prairie Holiday
December 13 and 21, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. For guests who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing, we will be offering ASL tours. Each tour will be guided by an ASL interpreter who will communicate between guests and historical interpreters. Groups will make stops at the Golden Eagle Inn, a campfire to warm up with songs and stories with Prairietown locals, the soiree at the Campbell House, the home of the Turner family to learn about nineteenth-century African American holiday customs,…
2 events,
A Merry Prairie Holiday
A Merry Prairie Holiday
Not a twinkle out of place! Join us for Central Indiana's most beloved holiday festival and make the season magical at A Merry Prairie Holiday. Across acres to explore, surround yourself amongst thousands of lights and capture that perfect moment. There is something for everyone to enjoy this year. Get updates about the festival by texting MERRY to 317-779-3330
Woodworking Unplugged: Spoon Carving
January 25, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Learn how to carve a simple spoon in this one-day, beginner friendly class. Lessons will cover safe carving techniques, tools, differences in carving greenwood* and “dry” wood, and the use of finishes. Finally, students will be given ample time to carve a simple spoon design as part of a group session. This process will further develop the skills and passion to continue carving on your own. All tools and materials are provided. Learn more about our historic classes.
This class is for individuals ages 14+. Anyone under the age of 16 must register with an adult.
*Although greenwood carving will be discussed in class, actual carving will be done with dry wood for ease.
Saturday, January 25: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, April 26: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Modern Woodshop, location #37 on map
Members: $130 | Nonmembers: $145 (Cost is for each class)
About the Teacher
Growing up in a family of craftspeople with an interest in history, serious study of historic trades was a no brainer for Adam Oswalt. Early exposure to blacksmithing only cemented that goal. Because of this interest, Adam took part in living history as a hobby throughout his teenage years. From this, he developed a serious interest in material culture studies. That interest turned into a degree in anthropology and geography from Indiana University in 2013 and a strong desire to work in the museum field.
Although primarily focused on prehistoric archaeology in the Midwest, a well-rounded curriculum led to serious study of historical architecture and material culture of the early 19th century, with a particular focus on vernacular architecture.
Adam’s interests in blacksmithing and carpentry have largely developed into recreating domestic ironware and treenware. He is fascinated by the simpleness of utilitarian items and the inevitable fancy that develops because of such simplistic design, be it the filework on a toasting fork or the chip carved designs on a candle box. Additionally, folk traditions in woodwork and ironware offer up an endless field of study for him, with his attention focusing primarily on Pennsylvania Dutch traditions.