Chestnut Square Historic Village brings Collin County history to life!  Living History Days 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.  Take a look at some of the images from prior Living History Days. 

May 22 -23 are Desperado Days at Chestnut Square!

Dial the clock back to the 1890's and come out to enjoy Desperado Days at Chestnut Square on May 22-23.  From 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 enjoy a cowboy supper with skits by the Trinity River desperados and authentic Dutch oven cooking!! Cowboy musicians, the Mustang Swing, will help you pass the time under the trees in the beautiful courtyard at Chestnut Square Historic Village.  On Sunday, May 23, enjoy two skits from the Trinity River Desperados.   Meet the Desperados and collect your cowboy cards. 

Click here to check out the Mustang Swing.  Click here for a sample audio clip. 

Cowboy Dinner including brisket and Dutch oven cooked sides (beans, corn casserole, green beans, biscuits) and dessert (Dutch oven cooked pies!) $15 for adults, $5 for kids.

Adults/Kids

Adults $15.00 Children 12 and under $5.00

Living History Cowboy Days on Sunday are from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Enjoy the live entertainment and tour the grounds at Chestnut Square. Admission is Free!

June means ice cream!  Visit the Doc & Clyde's Ice Cream Freezer Exhibit (largest in the world!) at the Chestnut Square Visitors Center.  The 15th Annual Killis Melton Ice Cream Crank-Off comes to Chestnut Square on Saturday, June 12, 2010.  Check back here for more details!

September is all about Old Fashioned Toys and Games Living History Days at Chestnut Square.  Check here for more details on the September 11 Living History Day.

October is all about the Legends of McKinney Ghost Walks.  Experience history in a whole new light by attending one of our popular Legends of McKinney Ghost Walks on October 23 and 30.  Hear the stories, see the sights...ghostly spirits not guaranteed!   Check here for more details on the October Ghost Walks. .

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

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.