Chestnut Square Historic Village brings Collin County history to life!  Most Living History programs are free to the public and provide glimpses into the way people lived in Collin County from 1850-1930.  Chestnut Square’s Living History Group bring history to life through period appropriate costumes, demonstrations and reenactments.

Saturday, May 7th is the First Annual Bois d'Arc Wood Eternal Crafters Event at Chestnut Square!

Fred Tarpley with Big Max in Commerce, the 2nd biggest Bois d'Arc tree in Texas

             Visitors to the Historic McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square will have the opportunity to chat with a man dressed as a bois d’arc tree about the remarkable plant that survived the last ice age to thrive in Northeast Texas, the only place on the planet where it still grows as a native.  Dr. James Conrad, former director of special collections at Texas A&M University-Commerce, will be demonstrating how he makes dyes, paper, and flowers from parts of the bois d’arc tree.  The botanical attire he will be wearing was created by Evonne Richardson of Commerce.

              The man in the bois d’arc tree suit will be accompanied by Fred Tarpley of Commerce and Allen Rich of Bonham, prime ministers of the newly organized Bois d’Arc Kingdom, comprised of Northeast Texas counties within the tree’s only native home.  Tarpley will be signing copies of his recently published comprehensive book, Wood Eternal: The Story of Osage Orange, Bois d’Arc, etc.  Collin, Fannin, and Hunt counties play prominent roles in the book’s narrative ranging from the introduction of the tree in 1804 by Lewis and Clark to President Thomas Jefferson, the first time it was known outside Indian lands, through its dominance as the hedge that fenced the prairies to it current uses.  He will also have a thirty-minute video entitled “Commerce: Bois d’Arc Capital of Texas” and souvenir packets of bois d’arc magic mulch, whose powers are yet unknown.

             Crafters participating in the Farmers Market will include:

• Jerry Lytle, the Duke of Bois d'Arc int he Commer area, will offer walking canes, hiking sticks, paper weights, decorative sculpture and forever sticks.
• Art Hendrix offering pens and pencils, mice for cheese boats, vases, bowls, Christmas decorationsa nd bird houses.
• Freda Riley of Leonard will offer dyes and spinning demonstrations.
• Joe Sudderth of Valley Creek will showcase his "fish knockers" used in Alaska by salmon fishermen.
• Kent and Jay Garrett of Commerce will offer their "attitude adjusters".
• Wildwood Dean and his wife, Bonham, will demonstrate their music making clickety sticks.
• Terry Blose of Gober will showcase Bois d'Arc furniture. 

           The agenda for the event will be:

Bois d'Arc Wood Eternal Crafters Event

Saturday, May 7

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p .m.

FREE admission

8:00 - 12:00              Bois d'Arc Crafters Featured at McKinney Farmers Market

                                       "Wood Eternal" Book Sales and Signings at Dixie's Store

10:00 - 2:00              "Commerce Bois d'Arc Capital of Texas" video presentations on the half hour in the Chestnut Square

                                       Visitors Center

                                        Additional Bois d'Arc demonstrations to be announced                                     

11:00                           Wood Eternal Presentation by Fred Tarpley in the Chapel at Chestnut Square

1:00                              Wood Eternal Presentation by Fred Tarpley in the Chapel at Chestnut square

June 11 is the Chestnut Square Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Festival Featuring the 16th Annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-Off!

June means ice cream!  Visit the Doc & Clyde's Ice Cream Freezer Exhibit (largest in the world!) at the Chestnut Square Visitors Center.  The 16th Annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-Off comes to Chestnut Square on Saturday, June 11, 2011.  Come on out for an old-fashioned ice cream festival featuring lots of ice cream, free kids activities and entertainment and old-fashioned amusement rides!  Admission to see the Crank-Off, enjoy the entertainment and kids activities is FREE .  Ice Cream scoops are available for $2-$3 from 10:00 - 2:00.  Want to taste the Crank-Off entries and vote forthe People's Choice?  $20 gets you all the flavors you want to taste and a People's Choice vote!

June and July Our Popular Prairie Adventure Camps Are Back!

Prairie Adventure Camps take kids 7-12 back in time to the late 1800's in McKinney. Filled with hands-on activities, these camps fill quickly, so reserve your spot early!

September is Time for Quilting!

The Heritage Guild of Collin County's Quilt Collection will be on exhibit during September.  Check back here for more information. 

October is Legendary at Chestnut Square!

The 2011 Legends of McKinney Ghost Walks will be held on Saturday October 22 and 29 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.  Experience history in a whole new light.  Hear the stories, see the sights...ghostly spirits not guaranteed!   Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 the night of the Ghost Walk.  Children under 12 are FREE.

In November our Dutch Oven Cooks Come Out to Cook the Old-Fashioned Way!

November is all about Dutch Oven Cooking . Smell the smoke, learn the tricks, taste cooking the old-fashioned way.  Admission is FREE.  Check here for more details on the November 20 Living History Day.

December 3rd and 4th is Our 38th Holiday Tour of Homes

Visit historic and history making homes decorated for the holidays throughout McKinney's Historic District during our38th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes.  Shop for old-fashioned, hand-made gifts at our Holiday Bazaar! 

Take a look at some of the images from prior Living History Days. 

April, 2008 was the Civil War Skirmish.    Everyone enjoy visiting the Civil War encampments, shooting muskets, learning about the different battle flags and watching the really noisy skirmish!

May 18, 2008 Living History Day featured the Trinity River Desperados (www.trinityriverdesperados.com).  Popular for their gunfight shows at the Dallas Heritage Village, the gunfighters staged two gunfights and several stagecoach robberies.   

October, 2008 Living History Day began with the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, October 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and continued on Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 P.M. We ushered in Fall with a Pumpkin Festival including music and a pumpkin decorating contest!   Pumpkin Decorating Contest winners are shown below.