Reflect forward: Creating tomorrow's memories today at Conner Prairie
Indianapolis is fortunate to have a wealth of quality museum programming for families to choose from, and Conner Prairie is an absolute must-do on that list for us CityMoms. We chatted with Holly Pasquinelli, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Conner Prairie, about why now is the perfect time to visit and see their new Reflect Forward campaign in action, whether you’re a long-time museum member, occasional visitor, or a first-time guest!
Not just a living history museum
Conner Prairie invites you to step into the story with them - there’s so much to do, not just look at! Holly noted that you can wander through the 1816 Indian Camp to see Indiana on the cusp of statehood, mingle with the residents of Prairietown, or check out how the heritage breed animals on the working farm influence modern medicine.
For those with young children, Playtime on the Prairie, offered for ages 0-2 and ages 3-5, lets early learners explore age-appropriate natural materials in play invitations, while the Historical Skills classes let teens and adults explore historic trades.
The Reflect Forward Campaign
Recognized as a national leader in innovation, preservation, and programming, Conner Prairie designed the Reflect Forward campaign to expand on the vast offerings and bridge the past with the future. This campaign encourages guests to think about the impact of historical events, and then consider how these lessons can inform and shape a better future. Conner Prairie wants to emphasize the importance of understanding history while connecting past experiences to future possibilities, and they’ve maintained many classic favorites while adding new experiences to their campus in Fishers, and planning a brand new campus in Carmel.
These brand new experiences, like The Trails at Conner Prairie, help you and your family connect with the land in and around Conner Prairie. Holly shared that the two trails help families understand how the environment influenced the lives of people who settled there, and asks guests to think about how they can preserve, conserve, and protect the land’s vital resources in the future. Each trail is about two miles long, with one paved, stroller-accessible trail perfect for your littles, and one more rugged wooded trail - great if you have big kids who need to burn some energy! Both trails feature self-guided programming to help your family disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.
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Renovation and beyond
As Conner Prairie leans into this mission to Reflect Forward, they are renovating The Museum Experience Center - you can check out the progress as you pull in each time! But don’t worry, museum veterans: your family’s favorite activities, like Treetop Outpost, River Crossing splash pad, 1859 Balloon Voyage rides, and Animal Encounters, are still there and ready for you to explore! Additionally, many of the favorite elements from the Experience Center have been relocated to other buildings across the grounds for you to enjoy during this incredible transformation.
We can’t wait to see the new additions to Conner Prairie as we continue to explore our favorite experiences. Will you visit A Merry Prairie Holiday or Headless Horseman as part of your family’s holiday traditions, or check out the balloons during Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival?
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most this year at Conner Prairie!