On April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary invites guests to celebrate the history of the Blackland Prairie at Heritage Day, presented by Clif KiD.

The Heard will host demonstrations, entertainment, educational programming, and vendors to give visitors a view into our region’s culture and history. Live music performances will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by Madison Whitehead (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.), Elizabeth & Felipe (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and Texoma Highway (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.).

This event also features the grand opening of the Heard’s new Pioneer Village comprised of eight buildings in playhouse scale that emulate structures typical of prairie settlements in the late 1800s. Kids will be invited to go back in time and have fun playing in and exploring these buildings including a miniature school house, grocery store and settler’s cabins!

Through the Pioneer Village exhibit, the Heard hopes to continue to connect visitors to the history of the prairie and also its ecological significance. Less than 1% of the Blackland Prairie remains, making the tallgrass prairie the most-endangered large ecosystem in North America.

Heritage Day is included in general admission: $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and children (ages 3-12), and free for children ages 2 and under. Heard Museum members get in FREE. City of McKinney residents also get in free with a valid driver’s license indicating McKinney residence, or McKinney water bill accompanied by a valid driver’s license with a matching name.