Conner & Stephenson wallet donated to Conner Prairie
By STU CLAMPITT
In the April 3 edition of the Reporter, we brought you the story of the discovery of a wallet originally owned by William Conner and John D. Stephenson.
Steve and Lori Schwartz asked The Reporter to help find a permanent home for the Conner and Stephenson wallet, along with its numerous receipts, IOUs and other business records found inside this unique piece of Hamilton County history, and our readers have spoken. The overwhelming majority of readers who responded to our poll asking where the wallet should go voted in favor of Conner Prairie.
On Tuesday, April 26, the Schwartzes visited the historic William Conner House at Conner Prairie, 3400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, to hand the wallet over to its new home.
Steve Schwartz said more than once that it was like the wallet was coming home, commenting that it had likely been in the very room where the donation took place. Schwartz also told the Reporter he was impressed at how quickly this all came together.
Schwartz also said it was a rumor in his family that the Schwartzes owed Conner $48. Conner Prairie staff made clear they will not seek interest-adjusted restitution on the (potentially) nearly 200-year-old debt.
Conner Prairie staff will be working to preserve the wallet and its content for future generations and will have it on display both physically and virtually when that process is complete.