Fishers, Indiana, is rich in history, ranging from Native American cultures to Civil War significance. If you’d like to learn more about the Fishers area and its history, take the family to any of these interesting historical sites in our area.
Conner Prairie
Snapshots of Conner Prairie by Valerie Everett is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
Conner Prairie is one of the most significant historical sites in the Carmel and Fishers area. In the early 1800s, William Conner had a trading post where modern-day Conner Prairie is located. By the 1820s, the first wave of settlers arrived, establishing colonies and villages along what people today call Allisonville Road. To see what life was like for these early settlers, spend the day at Conner Prairie.
The family can enjoy various activities such as watching Civil War reenactments, visiting Native American encampments, and walking through the 19th-century village. In Prairietown, you’ll see volunteers dressed in period clothing doing everyday chores. Kids can play 19th-century games, help make bread, and watch blacksmiths make horseshoes. After seeing farm animals and engaging in fun activities, stop by the cafe for a snack, enjoy a tasty caramel-dipped apple, and pick up souvenirs at the Conner Prairie Store.
Location: 13400 Allisonville Road
Contact: 317-776-6000
Johnson County Museum of History
Since 1931, visitors have enjoyed the cultural and historical events, activities, and exhibits at the Johnson County Museum of History. As you wander through the museum’s permanent exhibits, you’ll see artifacts from early inhabitants, pioneers, and settlers, including fossils from over 400 million years ago.
Items you’ll see as you wander through the museum include tools used by the Native Americans living in the area and wagons, clothing, and farm tools used by early settlers. The kids in the family will get a kick out of exploring the covered wagon and touching the items found inside it. Civil War buffs will appreciate the mementos carried by soldiers during this major war in the Civil War room.
You’ll feel awe at the opulence of the Victorian Era with lavish furnishings and accessories in the Victorian Life exhibit, and understand the importance of the railroad in the Roads, Rails, and Runways exhibit. Several of these exhibits have interactive elements that the kids can explore or take part in activities such as the museum’s scavenger hunt.
Location: 135 N. Main St. in Franklin
Contact: 317-346-4500
Potter’s Bridge Park
You’ll see the only remaining covered bridge in Hamilton County when you take a trip to Potter’s Bridge Park. Within the 66-acre park, you’ll see not only the bridge but also striking views of the White River that it crosses. As the park’s highlight, you’ll want to know the history of Potter’s Bridge to get a feel for its significance.
In 1870, Josiah Durfee built the bridge, originally called Potter’s Ford Covered Bridge. This bridge measures 246 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 20 feet tall. The bridge was listed on the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures in 1978 and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. In addition, you can walk the stunning 3.25-mile White River Greenway Trail to look for wildlife and birds and then enjoy a picnic under a shady tree.
Location: 19401 N. Allisonville Road in Noblesville
Contact: 317-770-4400
The Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens
Grandeur, elegance, and opulence define the beauty of The Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens. This historic house began as a simple log cabin built in the late 1800s by the pioneering West family. The original farm where the cabin stood had 287 acres. In 1880, Addison Clay Harris and his wife India purchased the house and grew the farm to 405 acres while expanding the home. In 1948, the town of Fishers acquired the house and, with the help of the Fishers Historic Preservation Committee, relocated the house to its present location and opened it for public events.
Exciting highlights of a visit to this historical site include taking a tour of the Heritage Gardens with its grandiose lawns, areas of flowering trees and shrubs, and native flora. Throughout the year, the staff at The Historic Ambassador House and Heritage Gardens hold events, and the house and grounds are available to rent for weddings, special occasions, or corporate events. After exploring this significant historical site, take the family to any of these ethnic cuisine restaurants in the Fishers area for a culinary adventure and to refuel everyone’s bodies after their busy day.
Location: 10598 Eller Road in Fishers
Contact: 317-201-6359
The Indiana Medical History Museum
Anyone interested in medical history will appreciate visiting the Indiana Medical History Museum. This unique museum lets you explore the history and development of modern medicine and psychiatry in a historic setting. Set on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital on the west side of Indianapolis is the Old Pathology Building, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Old Pathology Building, built in 1896, housed researchers studying the physical causes of mental disease. In 1996, this building became the home of the Indiana Medical History Museum, and today, you can see some of the scientific equipment researchers used.
You’ll need to make an appointment for a guided tour of the museum where you’ll see the laboratories, reception room, library, and preserved brains used for scientific research. The staff at the Indiana Medical History Museum offers special programs and events on topics ranging from mental care past and present, forensic science information, and the overall history of science and medicine.
Location: 3270 Kirkbride Way in Indianapolis
Contact: 317-635-7329
Doesn’t the Fishers, Indiana, area have an amazing history? Which historical site is your family’s favorite? Which place would you like to visit again and why? Do you have a recommendation for other historical sites we missed here? Let our team at Crème de la Crème of Fishers know, and we’ll go see them. We always enjoy learning more about the history of our beautiful area.