Last updated: 6/9/2010
McKinney, Texas
Address
1 Nature Place
McKinney, TX 75069
phone: 972-562-5566
fax: 972-548-9119
e-mail: info@heardmuseum.org
web: www.heardmuseum.org

Hours

Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admissions

$8 Adults
$5 Children 3-12 and Seniors
Museum members are free

Staff

Sy Shahid
phone:
Amber Caceres
phone: 972-562-5566
Marissa Rohac Atamas
phone:
Roger Sanderson
phone:
Sherry Kennedy
phone:
Stephanie Jennings
phone:
Mission

Bringing Nature & People Together

History

Miss Bessie Heard was born on May 26, 1886 in McKinney, Texas, the eldest of five daughters of John Spencer Heard and Rachel Heard, one of the early founding families of Collin County. After attending Mary Baldwin College in Virginia and the Parsons School of Interior Design in New York, she returned to McKinney to care for her ailing parents. During this time, she encouraged young people to care for wildlife and undertook the planting of trees to help beautify the city. She became very active in the civic affairs of McKinney, helping to establish and retain a library in McKinney, forming the first American Red Cross Capter of the town, and--her greatest contribution--establishing the Heard Natural Sceince Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1964. Miss Bess died in 1988, just before her 102nd birthday.

Artifact Collections

Zoology collections: Bird study specimens (380), mammal study specimens (304), reptile and amphibians (847), fish (567), insects (22,204), eggs (106), nests (58), mounted birds (73), mounted mammals (36), mounted fish (5), seashells (6,905). The vertabrate collections have a local emphasis. The sheashells are worldwide in scope.

Earth science: Paleontology (875), including 450 vertebrate and 250 invertebrate; 175 botany; mineralogy (1,250); archeology (1,200). The earth science collections are primarily representative of the North Texas area.

Botany: Plants specimens (769). This material is from the wildlife sanctuary and adjacent tall grass prairie.

Cultural: Nature prints (200), oriental art (150): Indian artifacts (250), quilts (30), nature decorative art (800). These collections were from the Bessie Heard collections and are part of the museum's mission.

Library: Reference/resource books plus periodicals, magazines and papers (2,500), slides (5,220). Main subject areas covered are natural history, geology, paleontology, environmental education, and museum reference.

Wildlife sanctuary: 289-acre riparian, wetlands, floodplain forest, native prairie wildlife habitat adjacent to museum; species of birds, mammals and reptiles and amphibians (240); speices of wildflowers (150); species of trees and shrubs (50).

Research Collections

Although education is the primary purpose of collections, they are available for research, particularly in reference to tall grass prairies bio-inventory.

Educational Programs

The heart of the Heard Museum is its extensive educational program. Pre-schoolers through adults find programs suited to their interests and abilities.
For children, the Heard provides an informal science experience based on current natural scientifc theories. In this way, children are introduced to science and allowed to develop an understanding and respect for the natural world around them. Every effort is made to present interdisciplinary programs which are readily adaptable to any cirriculum.
In-house educational programs include: pre-school natural science, trail interpretation, animal talks, earth science labs, life science labs, Aquaquest (JASON Project field study), Introduction to Bird Biology (JASON Project field study), custom enrichment programs, Scout Days and badge workshops, Women in Sceince (lecture series) and home school science. Project WILD, Project Aquatic WILD and custom teacher workshops are also available.
Outreach educational programs include: natural history, earth science and animals. Custom outreach programs have included: Insects of Texas, Prairie Restoration and Wildlife Gardening.

Governance

501(c)(3) Texas corporation coverned by a non-paid board of directors.

Library
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Publications

Bi-monthly e-newsletter, checklists for birds, wildflowers, butterflies; bird banding reports.

ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

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2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

September 10 - 13, 2025

Cincinnati, Ohio

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