Conner Prairie’s outdoor grounds closed for the season Nov. 2, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. The museum’s Welcome Center, including the indoor exhibits Create.Connect, Discovery Station and Craft Corner, as well as the Conner Prairie Store, are open year-round.
Hours
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed 11/26, 12/24, 12/25 and 1/1/16
There are also a number of events coming up that offer fun for the whole family.
Follow the North Star
Take on the role of a fugitive slave traveling along the Underground Railroad in this nationally acclaimed program. Encounter the challenges, perils and uncertainty faced by fugitive slaves on their tumultuous path to independence. Appreciate the encouragement of a Quaker family willing to help and provide shelter. Learn how and where to hide, who to trust and who to avoid. And feel the fear as slave hunters follow your tracks and track you down. Follow the North Star makes connections to many modern issues, such as human trafficking and bullying. Participants are sure to walk away with a lot to think about. Reservations required online at connerprairie.org or by calling 317.776.6000.
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 4, 6, 7, 12-14, 19-21; 6:30-8:30 p.m. (105-minute program; start times staggered every 15 minutes)
Ages: 12+; children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult
$20/non-member, $17/member
Prairie Tykes: Happy Harvest
Connect with your little ones (ages 2-5) during these fun children’s classes. Children must be accompanied by an adult at no charge. Reservations required online at connerprairie.org or by calling 317.776.6000. In this month’s program, it’s a harvest-time celebration. Grind corn, learn about pioneer foods and have a cornbread snack.
Thursday, Nov. 12 9:30-11 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 13 9:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m.
$12/child, $11/member
Prairie Tots
A 45-minute program for 2-year-old children filled with silly fun, including crafts, singing and activities perfect for toddlers. Children must be accompanied by an adult at no charge. Reservations required online at connerprairie.org or by calling 317.776.6000.In this month’s program, It’s a harvest-time celebration. Join in aand grind corn, learn about pioneer foods and have a cornbread snack.
Friday, Nov. 20 9:30–10:15 a.m.
$6/child, $5/member
Prairie Pursuits
Prairie Pursuits offers a broad range of topics and is ideal for anyone wanting to discover new talents or perfect their current skill set. Reservations required online at connerprairie.org or by calling 317.776.6000.
- Pottery: The Art of Hand Building
9 a.m.-Noon Saturday, Nov. 7 and 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
$75/non-member, $65/member
Ages 14 and older
Create a clay box using templates, and a rolling and molding technique used by potters throughout history. Learn decorating techniques like incising, relief sculpting, impressing and glaze finishing. Students are required to attend both sessions.
- Gingerbread House Making 101
6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12
$35/team, $32/member team
Ages 13 and older
A team consists of one adult and one teen working together
Additional house, $35
Under the guidance of expert baker Rascia Johnson of Rascia’s Creative Cakes, learn the basics of how to construct a gingerbread house as she discusses ingredients, techniques of piping using a pastry bag, icings and fancy finishes. Each team receives a pre-constructed gingerbread house, royal icing and candies for decoration. Visit Conner Prairie’s Gingerbread Village for more decorating ideas.
- Primitive Knifemaking
9:30 am-4 pm Saturday, Nov. 14
$95/non-member, $90/member
Ages 16 and older
Using reclaimed scrap materials, forge and hand-finish a simple one-piece knife. Guests will need to bring an 8- or 10-inch, half-round or flat file with a handle.
- Conner Prairie at Dawn
7-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
$10/non-member, $9/member
Ages 18 and older
Are you a nature lover, photographer, plein air painter or bird watcher? Don’t miss this opportunity to explore our beautiful grounds and take photos, paint, sketch, hike or just relax. Professional photographers and artists are welcome. All photographs and works of art must be for personal use only and images from our grounds cannot be used commercially, for marketing purposes or for personal financial gain. Waivers for artists will be available at the ticket desk.
And as November comes to a close, the focus will turn to the holidays – and the holiday season at Conner Prairie is packed with family friendly experiences sure to get you in a festive spirit. Stroll through the Gingerbread Village, enjoy a meal with Santa, help the residents of Prairietown prepare for the holidays or feast on a delicious meal you help prepare over the hearth. Click here for all the details on the holiday fun!
