Conner Prairie
Conner Prairie is a nonprofit living history museum on 1,046 acres in Fishers, Indiana, serving nearly 400,000 annual visitors with immersive historical, educational, and seasonal festival experiences anchored by Smithsonian-affiliated programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersFishers, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Conner Prairie does
Conner Prairie is a nonprofit living history museum (legal entity: Conner Prairie Museum Inc.) operating across 1,046 acres in Fishers, Indiana, along the White River. It delivers immersive educational and recreational experiences combining 19th-century living-history interpretation (1836 Prairietown, William Conner House, Lenape Camp), nature-based outdoor programming (Trails at Conner Prairie, Treetop Outpost, Animal Encounters), Smithsonian-affiliated exhibits (Museum Experience Center, Spark!Lab, Habitat), and signature seasonal festivals (Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, Headless Horseman, A Merry Prairie Holiday, Kroger Symphony on the Prairie). The museum holds the distinction of being Indiana's first Smithsonian Affiliate and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
The underlying platform pairs a physical campus of 25+ historic structures, 12 experience areas, and 20,000+ collection items with a diversified revenue model spanning one-time admission and festival ticketing (e.g., $30 guest / $18 member evening balloon festival tickets), recurring annual memberships, camp and class registration fees, private venue rentals, a seasonal Apple Store retail operation run by the Conner Prairie Alliance, and contributed income from corporate sponsors and institutional funders including Bank of America, Kroger, Reynolds Farm Equipment, Lilly Endowment, and Honda. Distribution is predominantly regional and direct-to-consumer, delivered through on-site visits, a proprietary ticketing portal (connerp.ticketapp.org), school-group sales, and a multi-channel digital marketing presence.
The museum serves families with children, K-12 and homeschool educational groups, corporate event clients, and a deeply embedded community of members, donors, and volunteers (115 youth volunteers averaging 120+ hours/year and 90+ adult volunteer opportunities). Forward strategy is governed by a multi-year Master Plan initiated in 2017 and funded in part through the Prairie Pathways Campaign, with continued product expansion evidenced by the 2023 Museum Experience Center launch and the 2025 FOOD exhibit.
Conner Prairie firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Conner Prairie
- Legal name
- Conner Prairie Museum Inc.
- Website
- https://connerprairie.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Conner Prairie is a nonprofit living history museum on 1,046 acres in Fishers, Indiana, serving nearly 400,000 annual visitors with immersive historical, educational, and seasonal festival experiences anchored by Smithsonian-affiliated programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Conner Prairie is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fishers
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Conner Prairie business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- General Admission: Daily admission tickets providing access to outdoor grounds, living history experiences in Prairietown, Museum Experience Center, animal encounters, and outdoor experiences
- Annual Memberships: Recurring membership program offering unlimited visits, member-exclusive events, discounts, and recognition. Members receive reduced admission rates at ticketed festivals and early access to events
- Event Hosting and Rentals: Private event venues including weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, meetings, fundraisers, and catered lunches. Rental of unique historic spaces and outdoor areas
- Apple Store Retail: Seasonal caramel apple store operated by Conner Prairie Alliance volunteers; generates over $2.1 million in lifetime donations to support museum mission. Offers hand-dipped caramel apples, apple slushies, and cider
- Camps and Programs: Adventure Camp, We Can Camp, Throwback Camp, early learning programs, homeschool programs, and educational classes with registration fees
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors receive promotional opportunities at festivals, admission discounts for employees, rental space benefits, networking opportunities, and recognition through museum communication channels
- Festival Admission: Ticketed entry to signature festivals including Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival ($30 guest/$18 member evenings, $20/$10 morning events), Headless Horseman, and A Merry Prairie Holiday
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival Evening tickets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival Morning Event tickets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Golf Classic 2026 Sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Golf Classic Event |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Conner Prairie product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Conner Prairie operates a 1,046-acre living history museum in Fishers, Indiana, offering immersive outdoor and indoor experiences that combine reenactments, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits focused on Indiana and Midwest history, science, and nature. The museum runs year-round programming including seasonal festivals (Headless Horseman, Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, A Merry Prairie Holiday, Kroger Symphony on the Prairie), 1836 Prairietown living history, Smithsonian-affiliated exhibits (Spark!Lab, Habitat), educational camps and field trips, venue rentals, and an annual membership program.
Product overview
Conner Prairie is Indiana's Living History Museum offering a diverse portfolio of immersive experiences across 1,046 acres. The museum operates as a unified platform combining living history (1836 Prairietown, William Conner House, Lenape Camp), natural outdoor exploration (Trails at Conner Prairie, Treetop Outpost, Animal Encounters), and Smithsonian-affiliated programming (Museum Experience Center with Spark!Lab and Habitat exhibits). Seasonal festivals (Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, Headless Horseman, A Merry Prairie Holiday, Symphony on the Prairie) drive attendance alongside year-round educational programming, Adventure Camp, and venue rentals. The experience portfolio is complemented by membership programs, retail (Apple Store), and digital content (podcasts). The museum's Prairie Pathways Campaign continues to expand experiences through the Museum Experience Center transformation, new trails, and educational hubs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Conner Prairie Alliance: A volunteer organization of women established in 1982 that supports Conner Prairie through fundraising and community engagement, operating the Apple Store and raising over $2.1 million for the museum.
- Horizon Council
Products and services
- General Admission Daytime access to Conner Prairie grounds and experiences, including 1,046 acres, outdoor museum areas, trails, and interactive exhibits for general visitors and families.
- 1836 Prairietown Immersive living history experience where visitors step into 19th century Midwest life and join a bustling community celebrating life through conversations, culture, and history.
- Museum Experience Center Indoor museum center featuring six new indoor experiences and providing new access to outdoor spaces, including artifact displays, Spark!Lab, and year-round programming.
- 1859 Balloon Voyage Hot air balloon experience celebrating innovation of flight, featuring the Reynolds balloon that soars over 350 feet in the air and exploring the first successful airmail delivery in the United States.
- Treetop Outpost Four-story treehouse experience with hands-on nature activities, inviting visitors to play, create, and explore with natural materials.
- Animal Encounters Interactive animal experience in the animal barn connecting visitors with animals while learning about agricultural methods, animal husbandry, and behaviors.
- Promised Land as Proving Ground Immersive journey through Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, using storytelling, multimedia, and hands-on activities.
- Adventure Camp Summer day camp program offering outdoor adventure activities for children, including archery, nature exploration, and historical experiences.
- Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival Indiana's largest balloon festival featuring evening balloon glows, morning flight competitions, live music, family activities, and food vendors.
- Headless Horseman Halloween-themed festival featuring spooky entertainment, haunted experiences, and seasonal activities.
- A Merry Prairie Holiday Winter holiday festival transforming Conner Prairie into a winter wonderland with seasonal entertainment and activities.
- Kroger Symphony on the Prairie Outdoor concert series featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performing in the prairie setting.
- History on Tap Adult-oriented evening event featuring local food, drinks, and historical programming.
- Trails at Conner Prairie Over 3.3 miles of natural and paved trails along the White River, including Prairie Trail and R.B. Annis Vista Trail, with educational hubs and nature experiences across 200+ acres of prairie.
- William Conner House Historic house museum showcasing the home of William Conner, a frontier businessman who established one of central Indiana's first trading posts.
- Lenape Camp Living history experience exploring Lenape indigenous culture and history through interpreter-led programming and cultural demonstrations.
- Annual Membership Annual pass providing unlimited access to Conner Prairie grounds, experiences, and member-exclusive benefits including discounts and early event access.
- Venue Rental Rental of Conner Prairie spaces for weddings, corporate events, meetings, picnics, and private gatherings across various venues including the grounds, event spaces, and historic areas.
- Field Trips and Educational Programs School group programs including field trips, homeschool days, early learning programs, and curriculum-aligned educational experiences for K-12 students.
- Apple Store Seasonal retail operation featuring hand-dipped caramel apples, apple slushies, hot apple cider, and seasonal treats operated by the Conner Prairie Alliance volunteer group.
- FOOD: Science, Culture and Cuisine Hands-on indoor experience exploring food science, culture, and cuisine through sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.
- America 250 Programming Commemoration programming exploring the nation's founding and ongoing struggle to fulfill founding promises, featuring Civic Season events from Juneteenth through July 4th.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 400,000 visitors annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Conner Prairie
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Conner Prairie technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Conner Prairie partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Prairie View Golf ClubminorVenue for Golf Classic event; the only Robert Trent Jones, Jr. course in Indiana, supporting Mission Impact Fund.
- Smithsonian InstitutioncoreConner Prairie is Indiana's first Smithsonian Affiliate, enabling access to Smithsonian exhibits, traveling collections, and programming including Spark!Lab (Lemelson Center) and Habitat (Smithsonian Gardens). This partnership provides national museum-quality experiences to regional visitors.
- Smithsonian's Lemelson CentercoreDeveloped Spark!Lab exhibit putting challenges of tomorrow into the hands of inventors today. The exhibit provides tools, time, and space for visitors to invent and explore creativity.
- Smithsonian GardenscoreDeveloped Habitat outdoor exhibit showcasing unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie, demonstrating interconnection and fragility of ecosystems.
- Made By UsminorPartnership for Civic Season, celebrating Juneteenth through July 4th with inspiring in-person events exploring history past, present, and future.
- Hamilton Southeastern SchoolscoreAdventures on the Prairie partnership providing curriculum-aligned educational programming with Teacher-in-Residence for archery and other activities.
- Asante Children's TheatreminorPartnership producing Academy Summer Intensive with Indianapolis children learning history, culture, and inclusivity through youth theatre.
- White River Canoe Companyminor15-year partnership providing canoe experiences on the White River as part of outdoor adventure programming.
- Prairie Guest HouseminorHotel partner across the street from venue; offers 10% discount with promo code JUPITER for Jupiter Flights festival attendees.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Conner Prairie competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Colonial Williamsburg: America's largest outdoor living history museum; offers immersive 18th-century reenactments and educational programming on a comparable scale. The most direct comparability for Conner Prairie's living-history business model and operating scale.
- Plimoth Patuxet Museums: Living history museum interpreting 17th-century Plymouth Colony and Indigenous Wampanoag history. Highly comparable combination of living history reenactment, educational programming, and site-based museum operations to Conner Prairie.
- Old Sturbridge Village: New England's largest living history museum, recreating an early 19th-century rural village. Comparable open-air living-history format, seasonal festivals, K-12 field trips, and membership-based operating model.
- Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford: Open-air history museum featuring historic buildings, crafts demonstrations, and rides like a hot-air balloon experience. Direct comparability in scale of historic structures, immersive experiences, and Smithsonian-level institutional ambitions.
- Living History Farms: Iowa open-air agricultural history museum showcasing Midwestern rural life across three eras. Comparable mid-size living history museum model with working farms, heritage breeds, and K-12 educational programs.
- Strawbery Banke Museum: Outdoor history museum in Portsmouth, NH featuring 40+ restored buildings spanning four centuries. Comparable mid-sized outdoor history museum operating model with living history interpretation and education programs.
- Historic Deerfield: Open-air history museum in Massachusetts featuring historic houses and craft demonstrations. Comparable model combining period buildings, crafts, and educational programming in an immersive setting.
- Mystic Seaport Museum: Maritime history museum with recreated 19th-century seafaring village. Comparable immersive outdoor museum format with reenactments, working exhibits, and extensive educational programs.
Regional players
- Old World Wisconsin: Wisconsin's outdoor living history museum operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Comparable open-air living history operating model, though it relies more heavily on state funding than Conner Prairie's nonprofit structure.
- Indianapolis Children's Museum (The Children's Museum of Indianapolis): World's largest children's museum located in Indianapolis. Regional competitor for school field trips, family admissions, and youth educational programming in the same Indiana market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Conner Prairie social profiles
Digital presenceConner Prairie compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Conner Prairie financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Conner Prairie leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Conner Prairie funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Conner Prairie M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Conner Prairie
What does Conner Prairie do?
Conner Prairie operates a 1,046-acre living history museum in Fishers, Indiana, offering immersive outdoor and indoor experiences that combine reenactments, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits focused on Indiana and Midwest history, science, and nature. The museum runs year-round programming including seasonal festivals (Headless Horseman, Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, A Merry Prairie Holiday, Kroger Symphony on the Prairie), 1836 Prairietown living history, Smithsonian-affiliated exhibits (Spark!Lab, Habitat), educational camps and field trips, venue rentals, and an annual membership program.
Is Conner Prairie a public or private company?
Conner Prairie is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Conner Prairie founded?
Conner Prairie was founded in 2006. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Conner Prairie based?
Conner Prairie is headquartered in Fishers, United States, in the North America region.
How does Conner Prairie make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. General Admission is the primary driver. The others are annual Memberships, event Hosting and Rentals, apple Store Retail, camps and Programs, corporate Sponsorship and festival Admission.
Who are Conner Prairie's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Colonial Williamsburg, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Old Sturbridge Village, Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford, Living History Farms, Strawbery Banke Museum, Historic Deerfield and Mystic Seaport Museum. Regional players are Old World Wisconsin and Indianapolis Children's Museum (The Children's Museum of Indianapolis).
Does Conner Prairie have an API?
No public API is recorded for Conner Prairie.