In this time of financial stringency we hear that people are returning to basics and core values. They eat at home; they eschew luxury goods. It’s also said that people are increasingly seeking what is real and authentic.

Because of the renewed interest in authenticity, Conner Prairie recently worked with PGAV Destination Planners, the St. Louis consulting firm that helped develop our master plan, to commission a research study to determine its impact upon the sites and attractions industry in the United States.

The soon-to-be released results are fascinating. Indeed, authenticity is a genuine trend these days – at least people are giving it more lip service. 80% of attraction visitors say they prefer “real experiences” over “fantasy/entertainment.”

The study also notes two significant caveats – gaps closer in size to the Grand Canyon than to potholes. First, only time will tell whether action will follow words. Will Mom and Dad really choose a trip to Colonial Williamsburg when the kids are clamoring for Universal Studios? Second, people’s interpretation of authenticity varies enormously. People applied the word to historic sites and parks, but even casino and theme park patrons called for greater authenticity in these venues. To many, the word authenticity simply means the opposite of commercialism.

As an attraction considered very authentic, we’re pondering what this new interest in back to basic values might mean for Conner Prairie.

What does authenticity mean to you and how important is it when you think about ways to spend your leisure time?

“Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor, best known for his meditations on Stoic philosophy, AD 121-180)

I’m not sure why it continues to amaze me that every guest who visits Conner Prairie sees it through the lens of his or her own perspective.

Sometimes differences in understanding reflect prior experiences. People who grew up on farms immediately grasp the difficulty of working the land, tending to animals and making food from scratch. These visitors usually exclaim, “I’m happy I don’t live in the 19th century,” as they switch on the car air conditioning and head for the super market.

In contrast, many visitors say, “I just love Conner Prairie. I wish I could live here,” undoubtedly glad they are away from traffic, malls and cell phones and entranced by the apparent simplicity of life, beauty of the setting and delicious smell of wood smoke.

Other differences in perspective arise from what visitors want others, particularly children, to get out of Conner Prairie. “Conner Prairie demonstrates how hard our ancestors worked. How self-sacrificing and determined they were no matter the obstacles. It’s important for kids to have these models of behavior,” say some who see present day values as lacking.

In contrast, just the other day, a college student told me, “History at Conner Prairie is like a lion in a cage. You can see it and get a sense of the texture of its fur. But it seems tame and gentle. It takes imagination to realize just how uncontrollable, stinky and brutal it really is.”

Although some might find these differences in perception frustrating, I’m fascinated because how each person understands Conner Prairie reveals so much about who they are and what they believe.

What do you see when you visit Conner Prairie?