Frisco Heritage Center
6455 Page St., Frisco
972/292-5665
friscoheritage.org
Hours: Heritage center public tours from 1–4pm each third Sunday. Museum open 10am–5pm Wednesday–Saturday; 1–5pm Sunday. Closed November 27–28.
Admission: Free for Third Sunday Open House events. Museum admission is $4 adults; $2 for kids ages 5–11; $8 per family.
Parking: Free
How does Frisco, ranked one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, stay true to its roots? In part, by showing residents where and how it was first planted via the Frisco Heritage Center. Located near City Hall, the center is a collection of about 10 buildings, including a log cabin, schoolhouse, chapel, Spanish-style jailhouse and working blacksmith shop; some are reproductions, all others are nicely renovated.
While the historical park is usually reserved for weddings or private group tours, it opens to the public for free afternoon tours during the Third Sunday Open Houses. When you visit, come armed with questions. Enthusiastic docents are stationed at each building, poised to share historical highlights and show off curiosities, such as the wooden, wall-mounted phone with a hand crank.
For the last few months, the Heritage Association of Frisco, which operates the center, has been slowly expanding its special presentations, craft projects and activities for kids. In honor of the upcoming holiday, littles can meet a live turkey presented by McKinney’s Grisham Farms at the next open house on November 16.
But the can’t-miss event of the month is the Shawnee Trail Cowboy Day on Saturday, November 8, the annual fundraiser featuring Wild West-style entertainment (think: armadillo races, hayrides, historical reenactors and mustache painters) all following Frisco’s community parade in celebration of veterans. On that day, festival admission price ($5) includes tours through the Frisco Heritage Museum, which anchors the historical park. The museum, regularly open Wednesday–Sunday, is worth a walk-through to see a printing press and Model T as part of a newly installed exhibit, a prairie-themed kids’ play area, and a toy-packed gift shop sure to thrill any young Thomas the Tank Engine fan.
