Prairie Pathways Campaign Overview

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