Chestnut Square Historic Village brings Collin County history to life! Living History programs 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.

April 21-22 are Civil War Days at Chestnut Square!

The fun starts at noon on Saturday and continues through Sunday afternoon.  Visit a replica Confederate and Yankee camp, see Civil War surgical procedures and be sure to be there for the skirmishes on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.  This is a FREE event!!

Here's the schedule for this year's event:

Saturday and Sunday  - 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Visit Yankee and Confederate camps

See Civil War Surgery Demonstrations on the half hour

Visit the Sutler camp

See the Language of the Fan demonstrated

See Dutch oven cooking in the 1854 Faires House

Skirmish - 2:00 p.m.

Fire a Musket for $1.00 - after the skirmish until 3:00 p.m.

Saturday Night

Civil War Ghost Stories around the campfire next to the Taylor Inn - 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. 

June 9 is the Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Festival and 17th 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 9, 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 Crank-off contestant 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!  New in 2012!  Camp 5 for 13-15 year old pioneers.

September 21-22 is Spirit of the Cowboy Days at Chestnut Square!

Meet your favorite cowboy celebrities, see cowboy gunfights, participate in the stick horse rodeo and more!  The cowboy spirit is alive at Chestnut Square.  For more information about the Spirit of the Cowboy Days at Chestnut Square, click here.  

October is Legendary at Chestnut Square!

The 2012 Legends of McKinney Ghost Walks will be held on Saturday October 20 and 27 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 $5.

Our Pre-K Pumpkin Patch is back October 2-26.  Visit with Collin and McKinney the goats and Chester the Cat.  Churn butter get your face painted and more!  Please call for reservations. 

December 1st and 2nd 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.