We visit Conner Prairie Living History Park every time we go to Indiana. Both girls love history (the cultural part, not the wars), and enjoy immersing themselves in life in an earlier era.
There were a lot of new things to experience since our last visit, including fun scavenger hunts.
The authentic feeling of period costumes and historic buildings remained the same.
At the general store a young-at-heart A now towers over the costumed staff. Because the girls want to be "in character" and wear long dresses and bonnets, they had to wear lime green stickers on their backs stating: "Costumed Visitor" so as not to be confused with the staff.
The girls join a game of ring-around-the-rosey.
Deciphering telegraphs. One of the big differences this time was the incorporation of computer screens throughout the museum, giving more information and hands-on activities. Although it takes away from the authenticity of "stepping back in time," I admit it allows a broader knowledge and understanding of history. One screen (not pictured here) was a game you could play about the civil war. You had a map of a town in front of you and soldiers were about to invade. You had to strategically place your townspeople to protect the town's resources, then when the soldiers arrived, they either overtook the town and carried on to the next town, or turned back. It really made you think about how vulnerable little towns were, and how much damage was done during the war.
Another new feature was a water play area for younger kids. This felt more like a children's museum installation than what you'd find at a history musuem, but I think it allows families with kids of all ages an opportunity to have a nice visit. I wish this had been here when we first visited when Little K was 3 and it was nearly 100 degrees, and she was crying hysterically from being overheated and bored. It would have been nice to recharge here, and then carry on.
We were lucky that it was only in the 80's and not too humid. Previous times when we've been there it had been unbearably hot. We spent the entire day, moving at an easy pace, and exploring.
When we did get too hot "out in the past," we'd retreat for awhile into the air-conditioned main visitor center, where hands-on displays about electricity were waiting. The girls especially liked the circuit building table.
On our way out through the gift shop the girls (and I) fell in love with these little clothespin dolls dressed in pioneer and Victorian fashions.
The details were amazing, so we bought 4 of them at $9.00 each, which I thought was a bargain for something handmade in the US.
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