Hamilton County’s civic and business leaders gathered Monday morning as Conner Prairie officially opened its new Museum Experience Center, marking a major milestone in a $44 million privately funded expansion of the historic site.

The building, originally opened as the Welcome Center in May 1988, has been transformed into an indoor, interactive museum space that will operate year-round, six days a week.

Conner Prairie President and CEO Norman Burns described the project as years in the making and referred to it as a “BHAG,” or “Big Hairy Audacious Goal.” He said the vision was to “change the way the world views and uses museums.”

Burns also pointed to the vision of Conner Prairie’s founder, Eli Lilly, as a guiding force behind the project.

“It’s important to note that creating a building that serves our community, our schools and our guests year-round, and teaches history in ways that books cannot, has always been a goal of Conner Prairie,” Burns said. “As a matter of fact, it’s exactly what our founder, Eli Lilly, wanted. He wanted to make sure that this was a place that would teach history in ways that books just couldn’t.”

Scott Fadness also spoke at the event, reflecting on both the personal and economic impact of Conner Prairie. He noted his three sons, ages 5, 7 and 11, have frequently visited the grounds, while emphasizing the broader importance of the institution to the community.

“It’s incredibly fortunate for the City of Fishers to have a museum that sits right here in the heart of our community, investing nearly $44 million into the local economy — growing jobs, sustaining the economy — that’s incredibly helpful,” Fadness said. “Being a beacon of tourism to come here and be a part of our community.”

The Museum Experience Center is scheduled to open to the public Friday, April 3. After a brief closure, it will begin its regular six-day-a-week schedule on Tuesday, April 7.

Here are additional photos from Monday morning’s event.