Conner Prairie

Thousands of guests are expected at the fifth annual Curiosity Fair at Conner Prairie this weekend. The event, sponsored by Kroger and Dow AgroSciences, is focused on science, technology, engineering, and math exploration through interactive activities, presentations, and hands-on demonstrations.

The weekend fair is free for museum members and with paid admission to the museum. Admission is $17 for adults, $16 for seniors ages 65 and older and $12 for youth ages 2-12.

Free shows throughout the day: Tony Hoard, a semi-finalist on the popular “America’s Got Talent” TV show, and his high-flying, acrobatic canines will perform multiple shows both days. Scientists with Eli Lilly will perform colorful chemical demonstrations and explosive experiments during their “Chemistry is a Blast” shows. Professor Steve’s “Science Big Top” demonstrates forces of nature.

Inside the SportsZone: Guests can interact with the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians, Indiana Fuel and Indy Eleven professional sports teams and experience the beauty and grace of rhythmic gymnastics.

For a complete lineup of activities throughout the weekend, visit connerprairie.org/things-to-do/events/curiosity-fair-science-and-art.

SOURCE: Conner Prairie

Monday, during its annual meeting in St. Louis, the American Alliance of Museums honored the museum with an Excellence in Exhibition award, one of only five issued to museums across the country. The award recognizes the design, development, and implementation of William Conner House, which reopened to the public last year after new interactive and media experiences were installed.

The historic home, which was built nearly 200 years ago, was first opened to the public by Eli Lilly in 1934. Since it has undergone several renovations both inside and out. Most recently, new visitor experiences were installed in the exhibit from November 2015 to March 2016 as an official Indiana Bicentennial Legacy project.

“William Conner House now strikes a careful balance between offering the kinds of interactive elements and activities that are common to museum exhibitions while maintaining a period-appropriate domestic look and feel as one would expect for a historic home,” said Brian Mancuso, Conner Prairie’s director of exhibits. “We worked with museum artisans, historic trades specialists and local artists to produce elements for the home that both communicate content and fit with the historical and domestic environment.”

This award from the American Alliance of Museums is the latest of national honors and accolades Conner Prairie has received in recent years. The museum has received the national medal from Institute for Museum and Library Services, the top honor a museum can receive. The National Science Foundation awarded a $2.3 million grant to Conner Prairie to create a STEM-based exhibit with interpretive programming that debuted in 2014.

Additionally, Conner Prairie, which is Indiana’s first Smithsonian-affiliated museum, was named a magnetic museum in the book, “Magnetic: The Art and Science of Engagement,” and has been cited as one of the most-visited outdoor museums in the nation by the Outdoor History Museum Forum.

Judges noted that Conner Prairie’s exhibit team “made great use of interactive media throughout William Conner House for reinterpretation, which encourages visitors to be part of the experience of a historic house through multiple engagement strategies.”

SOURCE: Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie has a day full of fun activities planned on President’s Day. Admission on Feb. 20 is free for everyone, one of three free days the museum offers the public each year.

In addition to the popular surprise birthday party for George Washington and patriotic songs performed by Lady Liberty, here’s a peek into all the action planned from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; for a complete list of activities, visit Conner Prairie’s news blog.

Pop-up Maker Workshop: Build-a-Teddybear with Teddy Roosevelt; It’s not every day one gets the opportunity to make a toy with the president it’s named after.

Create.Connect: FDR and the REA; FDR is trying to bring electricity to rural America. Do you think it’s a good idea? Come have a chat with this former president and hear what he has to say on the subject. After that experiment with circuits and see what it really takes to electrify a home in the 1930s.

I like (Putting with) Ike: Dwight Eisenhower is bringing golf to the White House.  Join him in a round and see if you can make a hole in one.

George Washington’s Surprise Birthday Party: 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This is the main event. Come help us celebrate the birthday of America’s first President. Enjoy some light refreshments, pose for some photos, and participate in a game or two.

Lincoln’s Logs: 3 p.m.: Is there anything you’ve always wanted to ask Abe Lincoln? Whether you have questions about the man himself or if you’re looking for advice, now is your chance.

Ladies First: A Celebration; 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.: It has long been said that behind every great man is a great woman and our POTUSes and FLOTUSes are no exception. Join us for a musical look at a few of this country’s first Ladies – and some presidential lady firsts. If you’ve ever wished that Abigail Adams, Abigail Fillmore, Belva Lockwood, Edith Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy would return from the dead and perform in a rap-musical homage to “Hamilton,” your wish will come true.

SOURCE: Conner Prairie