FISHERS, Ind. (December 13) – This winter, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana's only Smithsonian affiliate, offers guests a chance to prepare and enjoy a 19th century multi-course meal by candlelight. From Jan. 6 - March 25, 2012, guests can step back in time to experience an authentic and intimate dinner in the historic William Conner House.
This three-hour program begins with Conner Prairie's costumed historical interpreters, the evening's hosts, leading guests along a lantern-lit wooded path to the historic 1823 William Conner homestead. Guests arrive just in time to help with the final preparations of the meal in the Conner kitchen, where everything centers on the hearth. Guests may help their fellow diners churn butter, grind coffee, prepare vegetables or make bread before they relax and enjoy a delicious multi-course supper. Following dessert, guests will explore the Conner house and play traditional parlor games of the era. Everything from the menu to the costumed hosts will take guests on a journey into Indiana's past.
Menu
The menu for Hearthside Suppers is created based on recipes from early 19th century cookbooks and includes foods that would have been served during the winter. The menu changes annually to offer guests a variety of taste experiences each year. The 2012 menu features popcorn, pounded cheese, water wafers, cider, pumpkin soup, beef alamode with roasted root vegetables, chicken and homemade noodles, pickled red cabbage, brandied pears, bread and butter pickles and roly poly (a 19th century ‘pudding’ with sweetened dough and fruit preserves).
How to Participate
Hearthside Suppers runs from Jan. 6 - March 25, 2012 from 6 - 9 p.m. on Fridays – Sundays in January, Thursdays – Sundays in February, and Wednesdays – Sundays in March. Admission is $60 per person, $55 for members. Prepaid reservations are required by calling (317) 776-6006 or (800) 966-1836 or
e-mailing info@connerprairie.org. The program is recommended for adults and children older than 10. Dress for the evening is casual and warm, and dressing in layers to accommodate the variances in the Conner House is recommended. To book the entire house for an exclusive hearthside evening, sign up 12 people on the same night. Groups of 12 may also pre-order wine to accompany the meal. For more information, visit www.connerprarie.org.
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Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate and a 2010 Institute of Museum and Library Services National medal award recipient. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibits, 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana and 1859 Balloon Voyage that takes guests 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Visit www.connerprairie.org or call (317) 776-6006 or (800) 966-1836 for admission dates, hours and ticket prices. Connect with Conner Prairie on Facebook at www.facebook.com/connerprairie, Flickr at www.flickr.com/people/connerprairie, YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie and Twitter at www.twitter.com/connerprairie.
Media Contact: Lynelle Mellady, Office: (317) 214-4732, Cell: (765) 977-3019, mellady@connerprairie.org