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The Collin County Historical Commission’s annual
Preservation Celebration conference brings together individuals and organizations
dedicated to the history of our county, and are involved in such local
preservation or education efforts. This year’s conference, held at
the historic First Baptist Church of Farmersville, was attended by approximately
100 people. At the conference, as is done every year, awards were presented
to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to preserving
Collin County’s heritage:
Living Legacy of Collin County Award
This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of an individual
citizen of Collin County who has significantly enriched our cultural heritage
through a lifetime of dedicated service to the ideals of preservation,
education and respect of our rich past.
Award Winners: Helen Hall (posthumously) and James West
Helen Hall spent a life time preserving the history
of Collin County. She worked in numerous historical associations and was
an avid researcher and author of our local heritage. She was a historian
extraordinaire who had a vast knowledge of McKinney and Collin County
which she graciously shared with everyone through conversations and her
column, “Historical Vignettes” which she wrote for 20 years
in the McKinney Courier-Gazette. She coauthored with her husband,
Roy Hall, Pioneering in Collin County, Texas and authored The
Way It all Began: McKinney, Texas, A History.
James West is a sixth generation resident of
Collin County. He received his Bachelors Degree in Architecture at Texas
Tech University and Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning from Ohio
State. He worked on the Metro in Washington D. C. and returned to McKinney
in 1973, where he has been involved in saving much of McKinney’s
rich historic past with his skills as an architect. He has been invaluable
to Chestnut Square and the North Texas History Center. He helped save
the Farris House, McKinney’s oldest home, and the second oldest surviving
house, the Taylor Inn. He also helped save eight other structures at Chestnut
Square. He recently rehabilitated the Bevel House as a reception meeting
hall for the Square. James West currently works with numerous families
in helping them to restore their historic homes, which number in the hundreds.
He has helped design sensitive infill designs such at the Heard-Craig
Center for the Arts. He continues to serve on the Board at Chestnut Square
and Pecan Grove Cemetery and contributes architectural assistance to both.
James helped establish the living history program at Chestnut Square and
organizes and oversees many Boy Scout Eagle projects which benefit Chestnut
Square.
Collin McKinney Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement of a Collin County historical organization
or museum that has promoted the heritage of the county with projects,
museum education, historical tourism, the erection of tributes to the
past and/or the preservation of buildings, publications or records of
historical significance.
Award Winner: Chestnut Square
Chestnut Square consists of ten structures on
two acres that span two city blocks in McKinney, where over 15,000 people
visit annually. In addition to the historical Dulaney House, Dulaney Cottage,
Two Bit Taylor Inn, Faires House and Johnson House, the village includes
a replica of the Wilmeth School house, the Chapel at Chestnut Square,
Dixie’s Store and the Bevel Reception House. School group tours of
students in grades 1-5 highlight the daily lives of people who lived in
McKinney from 1850-1930. In addition private and public tours are offered.
On the second Sunday of the month living history groups hold living history
days. A three-day prairie adventure camp is held for children to spend
their time living as pioneers. Chestnut Square hosts a farmers market
and an annual tour of homes in December. All of this has been made possible
by the Heritage Guild of Collin County.
Excellence in Historical Education Award
Recognizes an individual or organization that has promoted historical
education about Collin County, Texas, through teaching and/or preservation
programs benefiting schools, community organizations, and/or the general
public.
Award Winner: North Texas History Center
The North Texas History Center’s Education
Program began modestly during the 2001-2002 school year, serving just
over 1,100 students. Now the program is in its sixth year serving children
from across North Texas, averaging approximately 8,000 students a year.
Second and third graders experience pioneer times and learn about not
just the people who came as pioneers, but why they chose to pull up stakes
and move across the country. Fifth graders are immersed in the Civil War
while their fourth grade counterparts are introduced to the Civil War
and its impact on the cattle industry and cowboys in North Texas. The
NTHC believes that every student can learn if given the opportunity and
that is why each of their programs offers students a chance to touch and
do as well as see. Regardless of one’s learning style, there is a
component of the visit that will truly impact the student. One teacher
commented “Every year it keeps getting better and better! My students
were engaged from the minute they walked in and had so much fun that they
didn’t seem to mind ‘learning something’!”
Leadership in Preservation Award
Recognizes an exemplary Collin County city/town, business or developer
that has promoted a respect for the county’s past through historical
projects and/or renovations of historic buildings or sites.
Award Winner: City of Frisco
The City of Frisco, in the midst of new growth,
voted bonds and built a Heritage Center for the education and enjoyment
of its current population of 100,000 people. The city partnered with the
Heritage Association of Frisco, which served as historical overseer and
builder of the museum and center. The city set aside six acres for the
center which includes the Heritage Center Museum, a one-room school house,
the Crozier-Covington-Sickle Victorian era home, and the old Lebanon Baptist
Church. Also included are a restored Frisco Railroad engine and caboose,
a rebuilt log cabin, a replica of the Frisco Railroad Depot, a replica
of the Gaby Blacksmith Shop and more. Most recently the Frisco City Council
approved a 40-year lease agreement with the Museum of American Railroad,
which has been located in Fair Park in Dallas, to move to Frisco.
Other Nominees
There were other notable people nominated for the 2008 Preservation Celebration
awards, who were also recognized at the event:
Allen Heritage Guild held an event commemorating
the 130th anniversary of the first successful train robbery in Texas by
Sam Bass and his Gang on February 23, 2008. Over 400 people attended the
Allen event.
Heritage Association of Frisco is a ten-year
old organization responsible for developing the New Frisco Museum and
its adjacent Heritage Center, which honors the efforts of Frisco and Collin
County as a whole.
Pecan Grove Cemetery maintains the graves of
those who fought in wars since 1836 and hosts an Annual Memorial Day celebration
to honor the fallen heroes of Collin County and McKinney.
Martha Newsome Bundy has dedicated her life to
preserving everything historical about Collin County and is currently
serving as chairman of the board of the Collin County Historic Preservation
Group, of which she founded. She is also responsible for republishing
historic books such as Stambaugh’s History of Collin County.
Ridgell Murphy McKinney is the great, great grandson
of Collin McKinney, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He
is an active member of the Collin County Historic Preservation Group and
was recognized as “Outstanding Collin County Historian” and
“Honorary Member for Life” by CCHPG.
Janet Maccubbin worked out details of how to
administer a program of tax incentives for homeowners of Historical Downtown/Old
Donation area of Frisco. The City Council approved the plan and she is
the lone administrator of the plan.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and thank you for helping
keep in touch with our rich heritage!
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