Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie is a living history museum spread across 1,000 acres with period buildings, costumed staff, and interactive displays showing life in 19th-century Indiana. The grounds feature multiple households, craft workshops, and farm structures that represent different aspects of early settlement life.

William Conner built his Federal-style brick house in 1823, which served as a trading post and gathering place for early settlers and Native Americans. The site evolved into a comprehensive museum documenting the region's economic and social history.

The site demonstrates traditional crafts, cooking techniques, and farming methods through daily performances by costumed interpreters. These presentations show how people shaped their everyday lives in rural 19th-century Indiana.

The grounds are open daily during spring, summer, and fall months, offering different activities at various locations throughout the property. Comfortable shoes are essential, as the museum spans large distances and involves plenty of outdoor walking.

Visitors can ride in a tethered balloon rising up to 115 feet above the museum grounds, gaining a bird's-eye view of the historical buildings. This experience combines a genuine 1859-era activity with modern safety standards.