Frequently Asked Questions
What is Conner Prairie?
Where is Conner Prairie?
What are Conner Prairie's hours?
What is the admission price to Conner Prairie?
Does Conner Prairie offer on-site dining options?
What historic periods does Conner Prairie depict?
What is first person interpretation? What is third person interpretation?
What is Conner Prairie's annual attendance?
How many school kids visit Conner Prairie each year?
Who is Conner Prairie named for?
How did Conner Prairie get started?
What is Conner Prairie?
Conner Prairie is a large, open-air living history museum made up of four distinct historic areas, a modern museum center and over 800 acres of natural beauty. Conner Prairie's mission is to serve as a local, regional and national center for education and activities exploring the lives, times and values of the 1800s in America.
It's a place where stories are preserved for the future. Conner Prairie staff members strive to accurately research and interpret the past and to create public programs that bring 19th-century events and situations into clear focus for visitors. Programs range from the joyful festivity of an 1836 wedding to the dark uncertainty of the Underground Railroad.
Most of all, Conner Prairie is a place for today's families to relax and have fun together, expand their minds, make memories and share their own stories.
Where is Conner Prairie?
Conner Prairie is located in Fishers, Indiana, just six miles north of Indianapolis' I-465 on Allisonville Road.
What are Conner Prairie's hours?
The outdoor historic areas are open to the public April-October, from 10 am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday, and 11am-5pm, Sunday. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year's Eve and Day. Closed Mondays year-round. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in April. Museum Shop and The Eatery are open year-round, but closed Mondays.
What is the admission price to Conner Prairie?
General admission prices from April to October are $11/adults, $10/seniors and $7/youth 2-12. November to March prices are $4/adult & youth. Children under 2 and Conner Prairie members are free.
Does Conner Prairie offer on-site dining options?
Yes. Located in the museum center, The Eatery features soups, salads and sandwiches. The Creamery, outside under Clowes Common, offers made-to-order ice cream treats, as well as fresh baked goods and espresso. A picnic area is also available for guests.
What historic periods does Conner Prairie depict?
Conner Prairie has four historic areas: Lenape Indian Camp, 1836 Prairietown and 1886 Liberty Corner and the Conner Homestead. The museum also consists of a modern museum center.
What is first person interpretation? What is third person interpretation?
First person interpreters wear historic costumes and are unable to break from their character's historic perspective. They are the residents of the historic villages, dressing, speaking and acting as if it were either 1836 or 1886.
Third person interpreters wear blue shirts and are available to answer questions from a modern perspective.
What is Conner Prairie's annual attendance?
On average, over 237,000 guests visit Conner Prairie each year.
How many school kids visit Conner Prairie each year?
Every school year, over 57,000 children visit Conner Prairie on field trips.
Who is Conner Prairie named for?
Conner Prairie is named for William Conner (1777-1855). Conner was a fur trader, land speculator, Indian agent and state representative. He came to Indiana in the winter of 1800-1801, settling on the land that now makes up Conner Prairie. In 1823, he built the Conner House for his second wife Elizabeth. The Conner House is known to be one of the first brick homes in Indiana and is the only home original to the historic areas at Conner Prairie.
How did Conner Prairie get started?
In 1934, philanthropist Eli Lilly purchased the land that would become Conner Prairie. He planned to return the Conner House to its original state. It had been abandoned for many years and left in ruins. After much research, the house was carefully restored. Lilly surrounded the house with historic outbuildings and offered tours to the public. In 1969 it was decided to expand the museum and the 1836 Prairietown opening in 1974. Further expansion followed: the Museum Center in 1988, the Lenape Indian Camp in 2000 and Liberty Corner in 2001.
Jennifer Tate Henderson
Public Relations Manager
Phone: 317.776.6000 ext. 232
Fax: 317.776.6014
E-mail: henderson@connerprairie.org