Even though the historic grounds were closed for the winter, Conner Prairie kept its staff busy by challenging them to create new adventures that would make for a richer experience for the guests.

“The changes that we have implemented are the result of ongoing conversations with our guests about the Conner Prairie museum experience,” said Dan Freas, Conner Prairie’s Museum Experience Director. “Experiences associated with our farm animals consistently rank among the most popular aspect of a Conner Prairie visit. Our new experience, Animal Encounters, enables us to offer more animal experiences on a consistent daily basis and in a setting that is protected from the weather.”

Beginning on March 31, guests can visit the Conner Barn to hold a lamb, pet a calf or watch chicks hatch. Animal specialists will be on hand to assist and share their expertise on how Conner Prairie plays an important role in preserving the historic breeds of livestock guests may see in the historic areas.

“Our guests like interacting with our animals all throughout the day,” said Kevyn Miller, Conner Prairie’s Livestock Manager. “Our Conner Barn Animal Encounter will include the main animal nursery for the babies born on our site. This year we are expecting lambs, pigs, and calves to be born from our resident mommas. We will also be incubating eggs from our hens, so guests can watch chicks hatch.”

Other changes at Conner Prairie that involve listening to what the guests want include relocating the Lenape Indian Camp closer to the museum center, adding first-person interpreters to the Conner House as well as opening the house for all guests to tour.

“The important stories of the Lenape Indians and William Conner were not easily accessible to many of our guests in the past,” said Freas. “By moving the Lenape Camp experience up near the entrance we make it more accessible while creating the option for guests to explore our historic areas in a chronological manner. By opening the Conner House first floor to all guests, without the constraints of a scheduled tour, we make this part of the museum experience more accessible.”

“The new location for the Lenape Camp will provide us opportunities to change our programming,” said Jim Willaert Experience Manager for the Lenape Camp and Conner Estate. “Guests will still be able to participate in some of their favorite activities, such as tomahawk throwing and fur trading. They will also be able to work side by side with Experience Facilitators and help build a canoe, tan hides and build fires."

The Conner Homestead experience will be very different beginning March 31.

“Guests in the house will be able to try hands-on activities, such as removing baked goods from the beehive oven,” said Willaert.  “In addition to this, the entire first floor of the house will be open to all of our guests. Uniformed interpreters as well as historic characters will be on hand in the house to interact with guests. The William Conner story will still be the focus of the interpretation, but guests will hear about the family from Conner's business partners and hired help. There will be a more personal touch to the experience.”

Conner Prairie’s hours have also changed. From March 31 through April guests can experience the grounds Thursdays through Saturdays from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 11am-5pm (closed Easter). From May through September the grounds will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 11am-5pm. Check the website for hours during holidays: www.connerprairie.org.

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