We are the Future of the Past
We are the future of the past. We have a bold vision for what we will become in the next few decades: a reinvigorated Conner Prairie that invites our visitors and friends to change the way they view and use museums. We have been planning for our future. Working with a master planning firm, our staff, leadership, and more than 64 external stakeholders, we created a 30-year master site plan. This master plan envisions activating Conner Prairie’s largest assets - 3.3 miles of the White River and more than 1,000 acres of prairie and woodland - to create a variety of learning experiences while continuing to carefully steward the land and resources entrusted to it. We have engaged our commmunity. Seventy-seven stakeholders were personally interviewed, and 153 individuals took part in an electronic survey. Ninetyfive percent of interviewees expressed a positive or very positive reaction to our plans, and the Prairie Pathways Campaign was then developed. We now seek funding for the first steps toward our future: a re-imagined Museum Experience Center with an improved Entry Sequence and a Transformational Outdoor Nature Experience. We will create central Indiana’s Largest Learning Landscape: historical, beautiful, and inspiring for years to come.
Norman Burns President and Chief Executive Officer
The Evolution of Conner Prairie
A NEW MUSEUM EXPERIENCE CENTER • A Midwest Hub for the Smithsonian
Object Theater using the Conner Prairie Collection
• Collection Activation • Year-Round & Lifelong Engagement • Hands-On Learning & Discovery • Revenue Generating Spaces
Play Based Learning
TRANSFORMATIONAL OUTDOOR NATURE EXPERIENCE • Activation of the White River as the Northern Anchor of the White River Vision Plan • 2.5 Miles of Trails • 5 Miles of Shoreline
River Activation
• 4 Education Hubs
River Education Hub Concept
GOALS • $15 million in gifts and immediate commitments to support the new Museum Experience Center and the Transformational Outdoor Nature Experience • $2 million in documented planned gifts as an investment in the future of Conner Prairie
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES • • • •
Enhancement of museum experiences Engagement with the community, land, and brand Connectivity to people and partners Sustainability of resources, revenue, and river
TIMELINE FOR SUCCESS 2018
WINTER 2019
SPRING 2019
2019-2022
Master Planning
Project Testing
Campaign Planning
Fundraising
Complete
Complete
Complete
Underway
2023-2024
Construction
2021 Museum Leadership Reggie Henderson, Chair Steve Hageman, Vice Chair Teresa Altemeyer Christine Altman, Immediate Past Chair Jessica Bastin
Becky Brammer, Alliance President
Gay Dwyer
Jay Love
Constance Brown
Suzanne Gaidoo
Leah McGrath
Jill Grossman
C.G. Newsome
Jeff Hagerman
Jane Niederberger
Clint Hangebrauck
Don Orr
Ross Hendrickson
Rebecca Shrum
Leonard Hoops
Shawn Smith
Helena Hutton
Denny Sponsel
Dave Kinard
Brian Timmerman
Deon Levingston
Randy Wilson
Will Bryan Norman Burns, President & CEO
Amy Berg, Horizon Council President
Melissa Caito
Mike Berry
Kristen Dauss
Marvin Blade
Marco Dominguez
Kip Chase