Volunteer group raises $95K for Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie Alliance President Linda Tyler presents a check to museum President and CEO Norman Burns for $95,000 to support three museum initiatives in 2018. (Photo provided)

This week at its annual meeting, an all-female, all-volunteer group that raises funds to support Conner Prairie announced its major gift for 2018.

Conner Prairie Alliance President Linda Tyler awarded museum President and CEO Norman Burns $95,000 to support three museum initiatives – $90,000 for improvements to the River Crossing play area inside the Civil War Journey experience, $2,500 to support the textiles operations and $2,500 to the agriculture department.

Conner Prairie Alliance conducted its annual meeting today inside the Overlook at Conner Prairie.

This year’s gift, raised entirely from the sale of goods in the Apple Store at Conner Prairie in September and October, brings the total of the Alliance’s contributions to the museum since it formed in 1982 to more than $1.2 million.

Conner Prairie Alliance has more than 100 members.

During the event, three Alliance members received the organization’s Touchmark Award, which honors members who have performed beyond expectations to support the Alliance and its mission to support Conner Prairie.

This year’s honorees were Reta Holden for the apple expertise she provided while working at the Apple Store at Conner Prairie, Leslee Walker for providing level-headed calm in the frenetic environment inside the store and Asa Wrammerfors for her warm-hearted positivity and caring attitude while working in the store.

Tyler was also awarded the group’s coveted Silhouette Award, which is given by the Alliance board in recognition of leadership and enduring contributions throughout the year.

After these award ceremonies, member Mandy Hunter was named the group’s new president.