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MEC Exhibits Quick Resources | Linktree

Location: Second floor mezzanine

Journey through time, exploring how the land and the people have come together to shape our community over the last 22,000 years.

You’ll dive into amazing multimedia displays that bring history to life, making it feel like you’re walking through time itself. You will be inspired by the stories of our natural land and the people that have shaped our shared history, all while learning about the special bond we share with it.

As you move through this space, you’ll follow the flow of the White River, connecting each section like a river connecting people and places. From our glacial beginnings to today's vibrant community, each area is full of captivating visuals and engaging stories from the formation of the White River and arrival of the first people groups to the natural oasis that is today’s landscape among the urban sprawl of Central Indiana.

Developed in partnership with Monadnock and Luci Creative

Power of Place | Click for Info

Location: Second floor History Gallery

Learn the story of the land and people Conner Prairie calls home. The intersectionality of the themes of the experience are woven together through storytelling, historical records, and the absence of records, and the “why” of it all. You’ll meet the Conner families: William Conner and his first wife, Mekinges, and John Conner and his first wife, Lënapèxkwe, and their respective children.

As you continue to explore, you’ll get a closer look at the complex and relentless system of westward expansion, the ways of the Lenape people, and the eventual removal of Indigenous peoples. You’ll be invited to reflect and consider the ways in which the Conner families impacted—and were impacted by—these systems and policies. 

Developed by Conner Prairie’s internal exhibits and experience teams.

TORN: A Family Portrait | Click for Info

Location: 2nd floor center

Wellspring is playful yet meditative, outward yet inward, child-like yet wise. This new experience reflects a deep level of thoughtfulness and exploration. Nestled in the banks of the river, you twist and turn to find passageways and nooks that may lead you to the top of an sycamore tree or through a cavern only to find a visual journey in our 180-degree cinema. You may even find yourself taking a leap in our foam quarry. 

While exploring Wellspring, you’ll decode a fictional language created by The Curious Life that uses 28 mythical letters. Plus, you’ll meet 13 characters representing different literary archetypes. 

Conner Prairie has partnered with nationally recognized artist Wes Bruce and The Curious Life, his creative team of architects, filmmakers, and engineers to envision, research, and develop this experience. The Curious Life specializes in large-scale, site-specific art installations that engage guests in exploration, discovery, and play.

Wellspring | Click for Info

Location: 2nd floor across from Harvest Cafe

In Spark!Lab, we believe everyone is inventive.

Every day we provide opportunities for children and families to explore their inventive creativity–to create, innovate, collaborate, and problem-solve– because these experiences empower kids to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed today and in the future.

Spark!Lab was developed by the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.

As part of the Spark!Lab experience, you will see, first-hand, important inventions from our extensive collection from early inventors. Learn how Indiana history plays an important role in the inventive process. 

Spark!Lab | Click for Info

Location: Wall outside Library

Open: 5/30 - 6/21

Designed by and for Gen Z at America's 250th

On February 17, more than 60 young adults from across the country gathered at the National Constitution Center to draft and sign a youth-written “Our Declaration” outlining their commitments and vision for America’s next 250 years.

This gathering brings together people ready to celebrate as well as critique the United States - and everything in between. The day's "Letters to America" illuminate a generation's questions, hopes and reflections on our country's past and what we might become in the future.

Youth250: Our Declaration is made possible through generous support from Policy Link, Hearthland Foundation, Bezos Family Foundation and the National Constitution Center. 

Made By Us unleashes access to history and civics education for young adults by meeting them where they are with credible, timely content and resources sourced from a nationwide network of cultural institutions.

Our Declaration | 5/30 - 6/21

Locations: 
The main portion located in the Lower Gallery, and the immersive theater show “Banquet” is in the Upper Gallery.

Open: 6/13 - 9/6

NO low-sensory options.

Chocolate sample refills: notify Education PIC if chocolate is below half in storage.

FOOD is an immersive, interactive, multisensory exhibit experience that explores the scientific, cultural, and gastronomic dimensions of food and dining.  

“FOOD is a treat for all the senses, exploring the concept of food and feasting through sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. It highlights the many pleasures of gastronomy: creating, tasting and sharing. It is a unique opportunity to learn about food science and team it with culture, arts and society. Food: Science, Culture, and Cuisine arouses curiosity about scientific subjects such as the phenomena that occur when preparing food." 

FOOD is a traveling exhibit created by Cité des sciences et de l'industrie in Paris, France; produced by Imagine; and presented by Corteva.

Quick Info | FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine | 6/13 - 9/6

America's 250

Location: First floor outside of Collections Lab & Lower Gallery entrance

Caring for Collections invites you to get up close to the material culture and digital assets we care for every day and to discover the many steps involved in protecting and preserving them. Through a window into our collections vault, you will be able to see artifacts from our collections and form a deeper bond between history and preservation.

A look into the open lab and you may see textiles being repaired, objects examined or archival materials being digitized. You may even have the chance to watch visiting conservators at work as they care for the wide variety of objects in our collection.

Caring for Collections was created by Conner Prairie Exhibits staff.

Caring for Collections | Click for Info

FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine

🔗 Spark!Lab | Lemelson | Smithsonian Institute

Long-term/Permanent Exhibits Info

"Write your wish for America's Future"

Guests can use the provided notecards to write their "wish" for America's future.

The responses are monitored by the curation staff.
Please remove any cards with hate speech and give them to curation/Ryan Shank.

Out of pencils or notecards: please reach out to Rini Shields in Exhibits (Studio next to Vault).

Wish Wall | June - December 2026

🔗 Our Declaration - Youth250 | MadeByUs

🔗 Wellspring with The Curious Life & Conner Prairie

🔗 FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine | Conner Prairie

🔗 FOOD: Science, Culture, and Cuisine | Imagine

FOOD Exhibit Information Sheet