County farm museum shows blasts from the past

For older people, the Collin County Farm Museum brings emotions of nostalgia.

For younger people, the museum shows children and young adults what life was like on the farm before modern technology took over.

The museum, located at 7117 County Road 166 in McKinney, sits on county property that also houses Myers Park & Event Center and the "Back 40."

Some of the 50 or so items at the museum remain un-restored, and appear a little rusty and worn. Others have been restored to their original condition.

Thursday was a special day for the museum, because U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson officially named it a Blue Star Museum, which gives military personnel and their families free admission to the museum from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

Jennifer Rogers, Collin County Farm Museum coordinator, said the museum is government property, "and it just makes sense that the military, who work for the government, should be admitted free." Ordinarily, the charge is $3 per adult and $2 per child, with $1 off for groups.

Farm items are both inside and outside a large building on the property. Outside are cultivators, hay rakes and other farm machinery.

"Many of the farm equipment used many years ago is still in use today," Rogers said. "In some cases, the only difference is that today they are pulled by tractors instead of farm animals."

Inside the building, volunteers work on restoring several items, most of which have been donated.

Roger Meier is working to restore a two-ton 1948 Ford truck, which he said has not been running for the past 30 or 40 years.

"It won't be such a problem keeping it running," he said. "The biggest problem will be to get it to start in the first place."

At the back of the large building is a 1929 tractor, a contraption that may remain just like it is because it would likely be impossible to completely restore.

Also outside the museum are some historical buildings, including a confinement house where county prisoners were allowed to rest from their labors after working on the county farm, a blacksmith shop and a granary. The event center administration office is located in the historic Haggard house, which was moved to the property several years ago.

A Ford Model T is also on site, and the museum recently held a Model T driving course. A tractor driving course is scheduled for June 30.

In addition to the museum, the 158-acre park consists of a stall barn, show bar, reception hall, gazebo, administrative office, pole barn, gardens and woods.

John and Winnie Myers donated 82.5 acres of land for the recreation and education of Collin County youth and for the farm museum. The county later purchased the back 75 acres from the Baxter family.

The county provides annual funding for the museum. Rogers is a full-time, professionally-trained museum employee of the county.

To arrange for a tour of the museum, or to register for the tractor driving course, call 972-548-5752 or 972-548-4792. Since it is the offseason, people are asked to call before coming for a tour.

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