Conner Prairie
Encyclopedia
Conner Prairie is an Interactive History Park, or living history museum, in Fishers, Indiana
, USA, that preserves the William Conner
home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, and recreates part of life in Indiana
in the 19th century on the White River
.
Conner Prairie was founded by pharmaceutical executive Eli Lilly
in the 1930s. In 1964, Lilly transferred the William Conner house, which he had restored, and related outbuildings to a public charitable trust of which Earlham College
, a Quaker liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana, was named as trustee. Lilly also transferred about 1400 acres (5.7 km²) of surrounding farmland to the college with the expectation that Earlham would sell that land and use the proceeds to provide an endowment for the museum. Instead, Earlham elected to retain the farmland and expand the museum, constructing an 1836 village, Prairietown, using funds that Lilly provided for this purpose. The museum grew in scope and popularity. In 1992 Earlham created a wholly owned subsidiary to run the museum and appointed a local volunteer board of directors, while retaining financial control over the museum's operations. Beginning in 1999, tension began to develop between the board of directors and Earlham regarding the museum's governance and the college's financial policies. The dispute culminated in Earlham's dismissal of the board of directors and president of the museum in June 2003. The Indiana Attorney General intervened and, after a lengthy and contentious dispute, a settlement was reached under which Earlham resigned as trustee of the public charitable trust, the Lilly endowment was allocated between Conner Prairie and the college and the museum became completely independent. Conner Prairie now has its own board of directors
and maintains its own finances and endowment
fund. In 2009 Conner Prairie became an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program.
On December 17, 2010, Conner Prairie was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and a $10,000 prize in a ceremony at the White House.
The living museum plans to open a new exhibit in June 2011. The 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana will document Morgan's Raid
with live action, video, and interactive activities.
The museum grounds are divided into several sections, where different eras in history are recreated to create a kind of living timeline. Staff in period costumes demonstrate the way early inhabitants in the area lived. They explain their lifestyles in character while performing chores such as cooking, chopping wood, making pottery, and tending to animals. Patrons are often invited to join in the activities.
The museum's main building, called the Museum Center, contains the entrance lobby, ticket sales counter, restaurant, banquet hall, and gift shop. The gift shop sells pottery made by the museum's costumed staff as well as more conventional souvenirs.
. It also hosts American Civil War reenactment
s, the annual Spirit of the Prairie Awards, and Christmas holiday events and dinners.
. The house is believed to be one of the first brick buildings built in central Indiana. Seven of William and Elizabeth Conner's ten children were born in the home. Conner's house was used as the meeting place for the County Commissioners, Circuit Court, and served as a post office in the early days of Hamilton County. Although Conner lived in the house until only 1837, his sons and their families are believed to have continued to reside in the house until 1874. In the 1860s, Conner's Delaware children unsuccessfully attempted to gain title to the land.
The house continued to be used as a residence by various owners until 1935, when Conner's house was purchased by Eli Lilly
, who was at that time president of the Indiana Historical Society
. Lilly restored the house and turned it into a museum.
In 1980, the William Conner House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
.
The genuine Conner brick house
and barn
are preserved as a museum. Visitors can hear about how early Hoosier
s cooked, spun and dyed thread and yarn, and cared for their animals and crops. The house is believed to be one of the first brick buildings built in central Indiana.
, the longest raid of the Civil War behind enemy lines and the most important event of the Civil War on Indiana soil. Using live action, video, and other interactive activities, the Civil War Journey documents the raid as seen through the eyes of historical figures, notably miss Attia Porter, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, and Albert Cheetham. In this exhibit, visitors will be able to walk through a reconstruction of the town of Dupont and be a part of the Civil War conflict. Children can also board a replica steam boat, then play in the water area. Also, this space will hold a vintage base ball
field where games will, occasionally, be held just as before the construction.
Although much of the Civil War Journey is presented through the use of technology, human characters also play a large part in the presentation of the site. Guests can talk to soldiers of the 103rd Indiana Regement and the citizens of Dupont, who are willing to share their views on the war and Morgan's Raid. To add to the military aspect of the site, reenactors portaying the 19th Indiana Infantry and the 18th Indiana Artillery are often present at the Civil War Journey. Occaisionally involved are Union calvary units and Confederate Infantry Regiments, which together present an interesting picture of what the raid was like.
Prairietown recreates a pioneer community in 1836, with a blacksmith
shop, pottery
shop, inn, doctor
's office, schoolhouse, and several residences. Visitors arriving early in the day might help with morning chores.
and is 105 feet (32 m) tall, making it the largest tethered gas passenger balloon in the world. The gondola can carry up to about twenty people and the balloon can lift up to 4.5 tons. The ballon was manufactured by the French company Aerophile. There are currently only five of these balloons in the United States
.
An educational exhibit accompanies the balloon voyage. The exhibit is a recreation of a Lafayette streetscape and includes several hands-on, interactive elements that teach the historical context and the technology of ballooning. The entire attraction is based on the historic August 17, 1859 trip of Aeronoaut John Wise
, where he made the first airmail
delivery in the United States 25 miles (40.2 km) from Lafayette, Indiana
to Crawfordsville, Indiana
carrying 123 letters and 23 circulars.
Sunset and night time flights do occur on weekends when the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is playing their Symphony on the Prairie summer series. The balloon ride is dependent on weather and must be landed during high winds. This is a permanent addition to Conner Prairie and is open with the rest of the park from April to October.
Lenape Camp recreates bark
and cattail mat wigwam
s and a fur trade
camp with a log cabin
. Visitors can learn how the Lenape (Delaware Indians) lived in Indiana and hunted and trapped animals to trade with white fur traders.
. The Friday/Saturday Symphony on the Prairie concert series, sponsored by Marsh Supermarkets
, attracts some 90,000+ concert goers each year, a substantial percentage of Conner Prairie's annual visitor count.
. The awards are Conner Prairie Museum's highest honors.
Fishers, Indiana
Fishers is a town located in Fall Creek and Delaware townships, Hamilton County, Indiana, with a population of 76,794, according to the 2010 census. A suburb of Indianapolis, Fishers has grown rapidly in recent decades: about 350 people lived there in 1963, 2,000 in 1980, and only 7,200 as recently...
, USA, that preserves the William Conner
William Conner
William Conner was an American trader, interpreter, scout, community leader, entrepreneur, and politician...
home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and recreates part of life in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
in the 19th century on the White River
White River (Indiana)
The White River is a two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River. Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the White River is long.-West Fork:The West Fork, long, is...
.
History and development
Eli Lilly (industrialist)
Eli Lilly was a pharmaceutical industrialist and philanthropist from Indiana, United States.- Business :Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eli Lilly was President of Eli Lilly and Company. He was named for his grandfather, Colonel Eli Lilly, who founded the family business...
in the 1930s. In 1964, Lilly transferred the William Conner house, which he had restored, and related outbuildings to a public charitable trust of which Earlham College
Earlham College
Earlham College is a liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana. It was founded in 1847 by Quakers and has approximately 1,200 students.The president is John David Dawson...
, a Quaker liberal arts college in Richmond, Indiana, was named as trustee. Lilly also transferred about 1400 acres (5.7 km²) of surrounding farmland to the college with the expectation that Earlham would sell that land and use the proceeds to provide an endowment for the museum. Instead, Earlham elected to retain the farmland and expand the museum, constructing an 1836 village, Prairietown, using funds that Lilly provided for this purpose. The museum grew in scope and popularity. In 1992 Earlham created a wholly owned subsidiary to run the museum and appointed a local volunteer board of directors, while retaining financial control over the museum's operations. Beginning in 1999, tension began to develop between the board of directors and Earlham regarding the museum's governance and the college's financial policies. The dispute culminated in Earlham's dismissal of the board of directors and president of the museum in June 2003. The Indiana Attorney General intervened and, after a lengthy and contentious dispute, a settlement was reached under which Earlham resigned as trustee of the public charitable trust, the Lilly endowment was allocated between Conner Prairie and the college and the museum became completely independent. Conner Prairie now has its own board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and maintains its own finances and endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
fund. In 2009 Conner Prairie became an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program.
On December 17, 2010, Conner Prairie was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and a $10,000 prize in a ceremony at the White House.
The living museum plans to open a new exhibit in June 2011. The 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana will document Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen...
with live action, video, and interactive activities.
Layout and concept
The museum's main building, called the Museum Center, contains the entrance lobby, ticket sales counter, restaurant, banquet hall, and gift shop. The gift shop sells pottery made by the museum's costumed staff as well as more conventional souvenirs.
Attractions
Conner Prairie features several permanent attractions and numerous semi-regular events, including "Mystery on the Prairie" murder mystery evenings, the Headless Horseman ride in the autumn, candlelight tours, and country fairFair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
. It also hosts American Civil War reenactment
American Civil War reenactment
American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known as Civil War reenactors or Civil War recreationists...
s, the annual Spirit of the Prairie Awards, and Christmas holiday events and dinners.
William Conner House
Built in 1823, the William Conner House is a two-story Federal style brick house on the terrace edge of the West Fork of the White RiverWhite River (Indiana)
The White River is a two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River. Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the White River is long.-West Fork:The West Fork, long, is...
. The house is believed to be one of the first brick buildings built in central Indiana. Seven of William and Elizabeth Conner's ten children were born in the home. Conner's house was used as the meeting place for the County Commissioners, Circuit Court, and served as a post office in the early days of Hamilton County. Although Conner lived in the house until only 1837, his sons and their families are believed to have continued to reside in the house until 1874. In the 1860s, Conner's Delaware children unsuccessfully attempted to gain title to the land.
The house continued to be used as a residence by various owners until 1935, when Conner's house was purchased by Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly (industrialist)
Eli Lilly was a pharmaceutical industrialist and philanthropist from Indiana, United States.- Business :Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eli Lilly was President of Eli Lilly and Company. He was named for his grandfather, Colonel Eli Lilly, who founded the family business...
, who was at that time president of the Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Historical Society
The Indiana Historical Society is one of the United States' oldest and largest historical societies and describes itself as "Indiana's Storyteller". Housed within the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, it is located at 450 West Ohio St...
. Lilly restored the house and turned it into a museum.
In 1980, the William Conner House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
The genuine Conner brick house
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
and barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
are preserved as a museum. Visitors can hear about how early Hoosier
Hoosier
Hoosier is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. state of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically adopt a derivative of the state name, e.g., "Indianan" or "Indianian", natives of Indiana rarely use these. Indiana adopted the nickname "Hoosier State" more than 150...
s cooked, spun and dyed thread and yarn, and cared for their animals and crops. The house is believed to be one of the first brick buildings built in central Indiana.
1863 Civil War Journey
The 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana documents Morgan's RaidMorgan's Raid
Morgan's Raid was a highly publicized incursion by Confederate cavalry into the Northern states of Indiana and Ohio during the American Civil War. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen...
, the longest raid of the Civil War behind enemy lines and the most important event of the Civil War on Indiana soil. Using live action, video, and other interactive activities, the Civil War Journey documents the raid as seen through the eyes of historical figures, notably miss Attia Porter, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, and Albert Cheetham. In this exhibit, visitors will be able to walk through a reconstruction of the town of Dupont and be a part of the Civil War conflict. Children can also board a replica steam boat, then play in the water area. Also, this space will hold a vintage base ball
Vintage base ball
Vintage Base Ball is baseball presented as being played by rules and customs from an earlier period in the sport's history. Games are typically played using rules and uniforms from the 1850s, 1860s and 1880s. Vintage baseball is not only a competitive game, but also a reenactment of baseball life...
field where games will, occasionally, be held just as before the construction.
Although much of the Civil War Journey is presented through the use of technology, human characters also play a large part in the presentation of the site. Guests can talk to soldiers of the 103rd Indiana Regement and the citizens of Dupont, who are willing to share their views on the war and Morgan's Raid. To add to the military aspect of the site, reenactors portaying the 19th Indiana Infantry and the 18th Indiana Artillery are often present at the Civil War Journey. Occaisionally involved are Union calvary units and Confederate Infantry Regiments, which together present an interesting picture of what the raid was like.
1836 Prairietown
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop, pottery
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
shop, inn, doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
's office, schoolhouse, and several residences. Visitors arriving early in the day might help with morning chores.
1859 Balloon Voyage
On June 6, 2009 Conner Prairie opened the 1859 Balloon Voyage. Visitors can take 15 minute rides in a tethered balloon to a height of 350 feet (106.7 m). The balloon is filled with 210000 cubic feet (5,946.5 m³) of heliumHelium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...
and is 105 feet (32 m) tall, making it the largest tethered gas passenger balloon in the world. The gondola can carry up to about twenty people and the balloon can lift up to 4.5 tons. The ballon was manufactured by the French company Aerophile. There are currently only five of these balloons in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
An educational exhibit accompanies the balloon voyage. The exhibit is a recreation of a Lafayette streetscape and includes several hands-on, interactive elements that teach the historical context and the technology of ballooning. The entire attraction is based on the historic August 17, 1859 trip of Aeronoaut John Wise
John Wise (balloonist)
John Wise was a pioneer in the field of ballooning. He made over 400 flights during his lifetime and was responsible for several innovations in balloon design...
, where he made the first airmail
Airmail
Airmail is mail that is transported by aircraft. It typically arrives more quickly than surface mail, and usually costs more to send...
delivery in the United States 25 miles (40.2 km) from Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
to Crawfordsville, Indiana
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Crawfordsville is a city in Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,915. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County...
carrying 123 letters and 23 circulars.
Sunset and night time flights do occur on weekends when the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is playing their Symphony on the Prairie summer series. The balloon ride is dependent on weather and must be landed during high winds. This is a permanent addition to Conner Prairie and is open with the rest of the park from April to October.
Lenape Camp
Bark
Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. Plants with bark include trees, woody vines and shrubs. Bark refers to all the tissues outside of the vascular cambium and is a nontechnical term. It overlays the wood and consists of the inner bark and the outer bark. The inner...
and cattail mat wigwam
Wigwam
A wigwam or wickiup is a domed room dwelling used by certain Native American tribes. The term wickiup is generally used to label these kinds of dwellings in American Southwest and West. Wigwam is usually applied to these structures in the American Northeast...
s and a fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
camp with a log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
. Visitors can learn how the Lenape (Delaware Indians) lived in Indiana and hunted and trapped animals to trade with white fur traders.
Other events
Conner Prairie serves as the summer home of the Indianapolis Symphony OrchestraIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana.Annually, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people. It is the largest performing arts organization in Indiana. The ISO is currently one of only 18 American...
. The Friday/Saturday Symphony on the Prairie concert series, sponsored by Marsh Supermarkets
Marsh Supermarkets
Marsh Supermarkets is a retail food chain headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with stores throughout Central Indiana and parts of Ohio. Its parent company is Sun Capital Partners, headquarterd in Boca Raton, Florida.-History:...
, attracts some 90,000+ concert goers each year, a substantial percentage of Conner Prairie's annual visitor count.
Spirit of the Prairie Awards
The Spirit of the Prairie Awards began in 1998. The event honors individuals who demonstrate "excellence in achievement, courage, innovation and vision," all of which are characteristics shown by those establishing the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The awards are Conner Prairie Museum's highest honors.
External links
- Conner Prairie website
- New York Times article
- William Conner Farm Architectural Drawings Collection, a digital collection of site plans and architectural drawings created by architect Robert Frost Daggett of the William Conner Farm.