FISHERS–Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate, will open its doors with free general admission on Sept. 24 as a part of the national Museum Day.
Museum Day is a celebration of the dissemination of knowledge to anyone and everyone interested, without a price tag, emulating the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities. In 2010, museum goers downloaded 227,747 tickets resulting in more than 500,000 museum-goers visiting over 1,300 venues in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
On Museum Day you can: Sharpen your tomahawk throwing skills in Lenape Indian Camp, enlist to defend your town in 1863 Civil War Journey, meet the fine folks of Prairietown and decide if you’d like to put down roots there. And, weather permitting take a flight up 300 feet in the air on the 1859 Balloon Voyage. Make a stop at the Apple Store for an apple cider slushie, a caramel dipped apple and many more fall treats.
This year’s event will also offer an opportunity to experience 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana, an experience so innovative it has been featured in The New York Times and USA Today. 1863 Civil War Journey recreates Indiana’s only Civil War battle using technology, characters and authentic sets including a recreation of 1863 DuPont, Indiana, one of the targets of the raid of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan.
The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to Conner Prairie on Sat., Sept. 24, 10am – 5pm. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.
For more information, please visit connerprairie.org or call 317.776-6006.