Conner Prairie is well-known nationally to museum insiders. But new CEO and President Norman Burns II wants to make the historical park in Hamilton County a destination for more travelers, in part by getting the community to take ownership of the attraction.
Park officials did not offer details about the new exhibit, which is set to open July 1, but the park previously disclosed plans to open an attraction featuring a four-story treehouse surrounded by five activity areas.
Norman O. Burns II, who has almost three decades of experience in leadership at historical attractions, will take the Conner Prairie position Jan. 27, the museum announced Monday morning.
Conner Prairie President and CEO Ellen Rosenthal has led tremendous growth at the interactive history park in Fishers since 2003. She plans to retire at the end of the year.
While the orange-and-yellow tethered balloon that anchors the 1859 Balloon Voyage is getting a new skin and a new sponsor over the winter, construction crews are working on a six-figure overhaul intended to make the exhibit more immersive.
By the end of Conner Prairie’s 2014 season, about 100,000 people will have taken to the skies in its tethered helium balloon—a high-flying attraction that soared to landmark status soon after it debuted five years ago.
The $178,000 study will answer key questions about how the city can better connect its highlights, attract and please business and leisure travelers, and hook up with corporate partners.
Conner Prairie isn’t just for summer—or kids—anymore. The Hamilton County interactive museum on Wednesday announced plans to ramp up year-round programming, including more events geared to adults.
The inaugural Prairie Plates event Sept. 20 represents a big step in the Hamilton County living history museum’s increasing effort to target grown-ups—a trend happening around the country as once-staid institutions look to expand audiences and increase revenue.
At the living history museum, new activities are mixed with old favorites—including the grand game of Rounders
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park inspires curiosity and fosters learning about Indiana’s past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences.
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park has been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, to find ways to encourage history museums to incorporate the often unpopular and intimidating fields of science, technology, engineering and math into their offerings.
I’ve been taking my kids and their pals to Conner Prairie for 15 years. But the most recent visit was the first time they wanted to spend the whole time in Prairietown.
Attraction not updated since 1974 will unveil new look in June.
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park inspires curiosity and fosters learning about Indiana's past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences.
Conner Prairie President and CEO Ellen Rosenthal has brought to the Fishers museum her passion for creating great visitor experiences.
Visits to the park in 2011 increased nearly 2 percent from the previous year, to 218,063, thanks in part to the opening of its $4.4 million Civil War exhibit.
With 1.8 million people, the Indianapolis area is only one-third the size of Atlanta, yet the area holds its own in conventions and tourism. Indianapolis, for example, has about half the convention space of Atlanta.
If you asked me a week ago what I knew about Indiana’s direct involvement in the Civil War, you would have been met with a blank stare. Then I was part of the regiment that helped kick the raiding party out of Indiana as part of the new “1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana” interactive exhibit at Conner Prairie.
When I knew I was going to the exhibit opening, I was pleased because I’d heard so much about it, but I wasn’t expecting to emerge enthusiastically recommending it to just about everyone I talk to. Yet, that’s what happened.
