Conner Prairie, among the finest outdoor history museums in the country, recreates life in 19th-century Indiana. It also was the site of one of the most significant controversies that an American museum has faced. Twilight at Conner Prairie follows the development of the museum, the conflicts of interest created by the terms of founder Eli Lillys gifts, and the breakdown of the relationship between the museum and its trustee, Earlham College. Author Berkley Duck, who served on Conner Prairies independent board of directors when the board and CEO were dismissed, provides an inside look at what went wrong at Conner Prairie and how it was put to right. Twilight at Conner Prairie is essential reading for anyone concerned with the survival of museums and the ethical obligations of preserving Americas past.
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. The Development of Conner Prairie Chapter 2. The Development of Earlhams Endowment Management Policies Chapter 3. The Origins of the Governance Dispute Chapter 4. The Governance Discussions Shift to Autonomy for the Museum Chapter 5. The Governance Discussions Become Confrontational Chapter 6. The Mediation Effort Chapter 7. The Negotiations with Earlhams Lawyers Chapter 8. The Sun Goes Down over Conner Prairie Chapter 9. Retreat and Reorganization Chapter 10. The Issues Take Shape Chapter 11. Waiting and Thinking Chapter 12. The Attorney General Rolls Out His Strategy Chapter 13. The Hamilton County Lawsuit Chapter 14. Positioning the Dispute for Resolution Chapter 15. Sunrise Chapter 16. The Organization of New Conner Prairie Chapter 17. Assessments Epilogue Appendix A. Operative Terms of the Lilly Gifts Appendix B. Draft of Amicus Curiae Brief Prepared by Save the Prairie, Inc. Index