Collin County History Museum

09/04/2026

📣 WE’RE GROWING OUR TEAM! 🏛️✨

Love numbers AND local history? We might have the perfect seat at the table for you!

The Collin County History Museum is looking for a proactive, community-minded professional to join our Board of Directors as Treasurer.

This is a volunteer leadership role for someone who’s ready to roll up their sleeves, bring ideas to the table, and use their financial know-how to help our museum grow and thrive. ❤️

🔎 We’re looking for someone who:
• Has experience or working knowledge of finance, accounting, bookkeeping, or financial management
• Is comfortable with budgets, financial statements, and reporting
• Is proactive, organized, and a true self-starter
• Takes initiative and follows through
• Can work independently while also being a great team player
• Is excited to get involved and make an impact in our community

Nonprofit board experience is a plus, but definitely not required!

🙋 Sound like you—or someone you know?

📩 Send your resume and a brief statement of interest to [email protected].

🔗 Want all the details? Click the “Join Our Team” link in our bio, or visit our website and go to Get Involved → Join Our Team.

Come help us preserve the past while building an exciting future for the museum! 🏛️❤️

09/03/2026

🥨 PRETZELS & PIONEERS: GERMANS IN TEXAS 🥨

Kids Club at the Collin County History Museum

Grab your imaginary suitcase—we’re heading back to Texas in the 1800s!

Join us for our September Kids Club as we explore the story of German immigrants who made Texas their new home. Kids will discover why families traveled thousands of miles to settle in Texas, where they built communities, and some of the traditions they brought with them.

🥨 Make your own paper pretzel while learning about German culture and its connection to Oktoberfest.
🧳 What Would You Bring? Imagine you’re moving to Texas in the 1800s! Kids will draw or choose something special they would pack for the journey.
🗺️ Explore the Map and discover some of the Texas communities shaped by German settlers.

📅 Saturday, September 26
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM
📍 Collin County History Museum
300 E. Virginia Street | Historic Downtown McKinney

A little crafting, a little imagination, and a whole lot of Texas history! 🤠🥨

09/01/2026

✨ NANCY WARD: A STORY OF COURAGE, LEADERSHIP & LEGACY ✨
Featuring C.D. Mayfield, Eighth Great-Grandson of Nancy Ward

On September 11, we pause to remember, honor, and thank the first responders, service members, veterans, and everyday heroes whose courage and commitment to serving others continue to inspire us.

In that spirit of courage, leadership, service, and sacrifice, the Collin County History Museum invites our community to gather on Friday, September 11, from 5:30–7:00 PM for a special evening presented in partnership with the Cherokee Community of North Texas, featuring guest speaker C.D. Mayfield, eighth great-grandson of Nancy Ward (Nanye'hi).

Nancy Ward was a powerful 18th-century Cherokee leader who earned the distinguished title of Ghigau, or “Beloved Woman,” through her bravery and later became known for her lifelong work as a diplomat, leader, and peacemaker. Her courage, leadership, and commitment to her people created a legacy that continues to be remembered and honored generations later.

Our guest speaker, C.D. Mayfield, carries his own remarkable legacy of service. An enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation with deep family roots in northeastern Oklahoma, C.D. is a United States Marine Corps veteran and has served for more than 28 years in law enforcement with the Allen Police Department.

As Nancy Ward’s eighth great-grandson, C.D. brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her remarkable life and legacy. Guests will have the opportunity to hear him share her story while exploring the people, events, and traditions that have shaped Cherokee history.

📅 Friday, September 11
🥂 5:30 PM — Networking & light refreshments
🎤 6:00–7:00 PM — C.D. Mayfield: Nancy Ward: A Story of Courage, Leadership & Legacy
📍 Collin County History Museum

As we gather on this meaningful day, we invite our community to join us in remembering those we have lost, honoring those who have served, and thanking the first responders, veterans, service members, and public servants who continue to serve our communities and our country.

Then, together, we will look to history and discover the extraordinary story of Nanye'hi—Beloved Woman, diplomat, peacemaker, and Cherokee leader—and the enduring legacy of courage and service she left for generations to come.

We remember. We honor. We thank you. 🇺🇸

08/31/2026

🌳 Discover Your Family History at the Collin County History Museum! 🌳

Did you know that the North Collin County Genealogical Society hosts FREE one-on-one genealogy assistance sessions right here at the museum each month?

Whether you're just beginning your family history journey or have been researching for years and need a fresh perspective, their knowledgeable volunteers are here to help!

📅 First Saturday of Every Month
⏰ 12:00–3:00 PM
📍 Collin County History Museum
300 E. Virginia Street, McKinney, TX 75069

✨ No registration required. Just stop by with your questions!

✨ No museum admission fee is required for those utilizing this service.

From local family stories to ancestors from around the world, this is a wonderful opportunity to uncover new connections and preserve your family's history.

For more information about the North Collin County Genealogical Society, visit:
🌐 www.nccgenealogytx.org

We are grateful to partner with the North Collin County Genealogical Society to provide this valuable community resource and help keep the stories of our families and our region alive.

08/28/2026

📣 WE’RE GROWING OUR TEAM! 🏛️✨

Love numbers AND local history? We might have the perfect seat at the table for you!

The Collin County History Museum is looking for a proactive, community-minded professional to join our Board of Directors as Treasurer.

This is a volunteer leadership role for someone who’s ready to roll up their sleeves, bring ideas to the table, and use their financial know-how to help our museum grow and thrive. ❤️

🔎 We’re looking for someone who:
• Has experience or working knowledge of finance, accounting, bookkeeping, or financial management
• Is comfortable with budgets, financial statements, and reporting
• Is proactive, organized, and a true self-starter
• Takes initiative and follows through
• Can work independently while also being a great team player
• Is excited to get involved and make an impact in our community

Nonprofit board experience is a plus, but definitely not required!

🙋 Sound like you—or someone you know?

📩 Send your resume and a brief statement of interest to [email protected].

🔗 Want all the details? Click the “Join Our Team” link in our bio, or visit our website and go to Get Involved → Join Our Team.

Come help us preserve the past while building an exciting future for the museum! 🏛️❤️

08/27/2026

🚂 All aboard for Kids Club!

We had such a great time welcoming our young historians to the Collin County History Museum for our August Kids Club! This month, we explored how railroads helped shape McKinney—transporting cotton, livestock, mail, and people while connecting our growing community to the rest of Texas.

Then it was time to get creative! 🎨 Our Kids Club members built their own railroad tracks, decided what their trains would transport, and connected their creations to build one giant railroad across the room. 🚂🛤️

A special shoutout to our wonderful Kids Club Lead, Amelia Underhill, for helping create fun, hands-on activities that make local history engaging for our youngest visitors! ❤️

Thank you to all the families who joined us for an afternoon of history, creativity, and fun!

Did you know Kids Club is FREE for children 12 and under? Stop by the museum to sign up, pick up your collectible Kids Club postcard, and collect a new museum sticker each time you visit! ⭐

We can’t wait for our next Kids Club adventure!

08/26/2026

🏛️ HISTORIC PRESERVATION 101 — FREE TO ATTEND!

Do you live or work in McKinney’s Historic Overlay District? Join us at the Collin County History Museum for a FREE informational evening with the City of McKinney all about historic preservation!

Learn more about the basics of historic preservation, the Certificate of Appropriateness process, economic incentives, and more—and bring your questions!

📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM
📍 Collin County History Museum
300 E. Virginia St., McKinney
🎟️ FREE to attend!

Whether you own a historic property, work in the district, or simply want to learn more about preserving McKinney’s historic character, we’d love to have you join us!

Come learn more about protecting the places that help tell McKinney’s story. 🏡✨

08/20/2026

✨ MEET OUR NEW SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN! ✨

We’re excited to welcome Vanhvilay Souriyachack to the Collin County History Museum team as our new Social Media Intern! 💚

Vanhvilay is a Visual Communications student at UT Arlington with a passion for design, storytelling, and creating meaningful digital connections. During her internship, she’ll be helping us bring Collin County history to life online through creative content, social media, and visual storytelling.

Museums aren’t just about preserving the past—they’re about finding new and engaging ways to share those stories with the next generation. We’re excited to have Vanhvilay helping us do exactly that!

Please help us give her a BIG welcome to the museum team! 👏✨

Capturing history. Sharing stories. Building connections.

08/15/2026