Conner Prairie

[Wendy]

I LOVED it!! The kids were on fall break so we took them to Conner Prairie. For those that do not know, it is in Fishers, Indiana. That is right outside of Indianapolis. They have Prairie Town which is set up as it would have been in 1836. The people there are living as it was in 1836. If you try to carry on a conversation with them, you better be thinking it is 1836.

We visited a blacksmith, a general store, a schoolhouse, a doctor, a lady making sausage, a potters place, & an inn. The kids loved watching the potter make a small crock. They also had a loom house & a candle making place & also a barn with farm animals you could pet. The first brick home built in Indiana, by William Conner is there. It is 3 bricks thick! Very neat to see.

I did have to laugh at the lady making sausage. She was explaining to a group of school kids how she made the sausage. Showed them the intestines from the pig that she would be putting the sausage into to smoke. I wonder if they will ever eat sausage again??? I think it would be more educational if they actually butchered something & let the kids watch.

It was a rainy day, but we still had fun. We ended up buying a members pass. It was actually only a couple of dollars more than admission would have been & now for the next year we can go as often as we like for no extra charge.

The kids loved it. A lot of activities weren't going on though because of the rain. So, we are planning another trip when the sun shines. They have a Civil War area also beyond the Prairie Town. On certain days they do reenactments & allow the kids to march as soldiers. We will have to go back when they can do that. They also have a huge hot air balloon that you can get a ride in. It wasn't going today because of the weather. So definately going back.

The gift shop had stuff for sale that was made in the town such as pottery & things from the blacksmith shop.

I would love, love, love to work at a place like that.

[Horseyrider]

When I was a little girl, before Conner Prairie was a place you could visit like a tourist, it was a working farm. My parents were friends somehow with the people who lived there, and we used to go and visit. Even though I was tiny and didn't know the difference between city and country life, I was in heaven there. I wish I could remember their names....

I remember getting in trouble for jumping up and down on the wooden doors that had sealed off an old well. Since it's a safety issue I'm sure it's gone now, but I had no idea what a well was or the dangers there until they told me.

I also remember my older brother being invited by the boy his age there to go watch them brand the cattle. I was captivated by the idea, but was told I wasn't allowed because I was a girl. I think that was my first taste of feminist ire; and the irony is my brother grew up to be someone who is so tenderhearted toward animals he could never do such a thing as branding, and I grew up to be someone who butchers and processes her own food.

This was the late fifties, and I haven't been back since I was a child. I hear it's nice there. I sure enjoy my memories.

[Fair Light]

Thanks for sharing this...I am always on the look out for fun stuff to do with the granddaughters...

[Callieslamb]

That's just 3 hours from us. Thanks! We were looking for more to see in this area.

[Jerngen]

About 4hrs south of us. We'll have to remember that for next Spring

[LisaInN.Idaho]

I love Conner Prairie too! Symphony on the Prairie, the Halloween Haunted Hayride, just any time at CP.
My horse and I rode in an exhibition fox hunt with the Trader's Point Hunt at Conner Prairie one autumn back in the early 90's. I do love that place, but haven't been there in several years.

[gottahaveagoat]

My Mother In Law grew up across the road from Conner Prairie. We have lots of family in the Fishers area. Love the place

[LisaInN.Idaho]

Originally Posted by gottahaveagoat

My Mother In Law grew up across the road from Conner Prairie. We have lots of family in the Fishers area. Love the place

My husband also grew up in Fishers!

[aftermidnite]

I have lived in Central Indiana all my life andhave never been ..My daughter went on a school outing and LOVED it ..I must make time to go and enjoy!

[gottahaveagoat]

Originally Posted by LisaInN.Idaho

My husband also grew up in Fishers!

Do you know any Owens or Booth's?

[pattycake]

Halloween's Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Christmas time at Connor Prairie are very special. I think you might have to pay additional to attend these but it is worth it.

[lonelyfarmgirl]

I grew up in Indy and I've been there probably a dozen times. I even applied for a job there once, but didn't get it. It's worth going if you have never been. Symphony on the Prairie is awesome!

[clovis]

We were just talking about how we need to go back to Conner Prairie. It has been several years since we've attended.

We spent our fall break going to Greenfield Village, next door to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Greenfield Village...wow...I just love that place!!!!

One word of caution about both of those outdoor living museums: Be careful! They will inspire you to try new things, especially if you are a homesteader type!!!

[mommymushbrain]

Went there as a child for a school field trip... I still have pictures around here somewhere. I remember it quite well! I would love to get back to Indiana and get my children there...

I also have loads of extended family in the Fishers/Carmel/Noblesville area. Last names of Wire/Day/Shelburne.

[LisaInN.Idaho]

Originally Posted by gottahaveagoat

Do you know any Owens or Booth's?

I asked him and he said no. He's almost 52 though so it's been a long time since he grew up.

[Mme_Pickles]

My children and I are in one of the videos about the raid on Conners Prairie! All dressed out in our 1860s clothing and everything! It was tons of fun hanging out in the village with other folks dressed in period clothing. And then the cavalry came thundering by "my" house!!! Wow!!!