Outdoor grounds open March 28, 2023
Plan your outdoor adventure at Conner Prairie today! With over a thousand acres to explore, step into the story and connect with nature. Explore our hands-on educational activities in Treetop Outpost or wander over to Civil War Journey and Prairietown to be immersed in a deeper understanding of Indiana history. With our spring programs and events, there are always new discoveries and experiences waiting for you.
Protecting Habitats Protects Life
Habitats provide homes for all living things, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree. The exhibition Habitat explores the critical need for varied habitats, how interconnected and fragile they are, and what we can do to protect them. The experience showcases the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie.
Habitat was developed by Smithsonian Gardens and is made available by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.
Springtime on the Prairie
Join us on April 8 for Springtime on the Prairie. Celebrate the beauty of spring at this special one-day event. Begin your day with Breakfast with the Bunny and in the afternoon participate in Easter egg hunts for children of all ages along with springtime crafts and activities for guests to participate in during daytime operations.
Upcoming Programs & Events
Outdoor grounds open
March 28
Plan your outdoor adventure at Conner Prairie today! With over a thousand acres to explore, step into the story and connect with nature. Explore our hands-on educational activities in Treetop Outpost or wander over to Prairietown to be immersed in a deeper understanding of Indiana history.
Wheel Thrown Pottery
April 4
Discover the basics of wheel thrown pottery. Students will be able to practice all aspects of throwing and shaping pottery. Whether a beginner or intermediate student, you will be able to progress at your own rate and develop your skills.
Springtime on the Prairie
April 8
Join us as we celebrate springtime on the Prairie. Enjoy the beauty of spring at this special one-day event. Begin your day with Breakfast with the Bunny and in the afternoon participate in Easter egg hunts for children of all ages along with springtime crafts and activities for guests to participate in during daytime operations.
Homeschool days
April 12
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
On this 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.
Sensory Friendly Hours
April 16
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e., the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.
Corn to Cocktail
April 20
Explore four different spirts to learn where they originated, how they’re made, their history in the United States — and best of all — how to make them into delicious cocktails.
Blacksmithing: Fun in the forge
April 22
You will have the opportunity to complete several simple projects such as barbeque skewers, a flint and steel firestarter (with instructions on how to use it), and a dinner bell. All tools and materials will be provided.
Memory Cafe
April 29
This month's theme: Farm Animals
Our Memory Cafés are a safe and welcoming space where people can come together for a social experience. Each program is specifically designed using one or more of the five senses in order to stimulate conversation and social interaction between the participants.
Prairietown Wedding
April 29
You are cordially invited to the wedding of Ada Noreen McClure and James Cox Jr. Our Prairietown wedding will highlight the Scotch-Irish; Scottish/ Irish/ English cultural traditions of the 19th century in the Midwest, and it will also reflect the various families united by this love union.
Prairietown Wedding is included with General Admission
We can camp!
April 29 - April 30
May 6 - May 7
Love the idea of camping as a family, but don't know where to start? Join our We Can Camp guides to learn basic camping skills, enjoy fun, outdoor experiences like fishing and archery, and spend the night in a tent!
Heirloom Plant Sale
May 12 - 13
Mother's Day Brunch
May 14
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.
Mother's Day Tea Party
May 14
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.
Sensory Friendly Hours
May 14
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e., the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.
Knifesmithing Workshop
May 20
Join Nathan Allen as he walks students through the basics of making a hand forged knife. Using reclaimed materials, students will learn to work a coal fire, forge a blade, hand finish and harden and temper for excellent edge holding qualities.
Leatherworking
May 20
Join Ken Scott as he teaches you his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches. Through pattern development, cutting, stitching, finishing, and basic leatherworking techniques, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind hunting pouch.
Basic Hornmaking
May 20
Join Art DeCamp as he teaches how to make a basic French and Indian War style powder horn. This is a great introduction into making powder horns. The horn made will feature a lobbed end, wood plug and hand filed and engrailed spout.
Heritage Breeds Week
May 21 - May 27
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.
Past Events
March Disability Awareness: Building Our Future Together
March 3
6 - 9 p.m.
In Collaboration with Fishers Arts Council, Conner prairie is hosting the 2023 Disability Awareness Month Artist Reception in the Welcome Center. This free event is open to the public and highlights the creative skills of both visual and performing artists. Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided.
Curious Conversations: Creating space for sensory needs
March 7
3:30 p.m.
In making places more accessible, it takes everyone for it to be successful. Ross Edelstein, an expert in building experiences in public places for people with autism, discusses the historical context, process and purpose that goes into making space for sensory needs. He is joined by Kelsey Van Vorst, outreach and community engagement manager, who will discuss what Conner Prairie has done to make the grounds more accessible and provide sensory friendly experiences and reimagined sensory bins.
Dovetailing Basics
March 11
Hand cut dovetails are not only practical and beautiful, but also a source of pride for the craftsman. In this class students will make a simple box with a sliding lid to learn how to lay out and cut through dovetails. Time will be taken in the class to discuss other types of dovetail joints.
Blacksmithing: Fun in the Forge
March 11
You will have the opportunity to complete several simple projects such as barbeque skewers, a flint and steel firestarter (with instructions on how to use it), and a dinner bell. All tools and materials will be provided.
Sensory Friendly Hours
March 12
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e., the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.
Chautauqua
March 15
Calling all scholars, social butterflies, adventurers... Join us for 3-evening series themed around an Indiana county with historic stories that are generated from there, featuring a concentration on varied storytelling modes and Indiana history.