Heard-Craig Center for the Arts

Specialties

Historic tours of the Heard-​Craig Home are available.

Heard-​Craig Hall: an elegant location with crystal chandeliers, columns and a main reception hall crowned with a 144 sq. ft. art glass skylight. The Hall regularly hosts art exhibits, theatrical productions, weddings, receptions, business meetings, dinner parties, concerts and dance programs. The main venue can seat 350 guests theatre style or 250 at tables.

The Heard-​Craig Hall Gallery: a lovely reception room located on the lower level of Heard-​Craig Hall. The Gallery can seat up to 100 guests and is adorned with vintage photographs. It is a unique location for parties, receptions, and business meetings.

The Heard Craig Carriage House: a beautiful location to host a small wedding, bridal shower, baby shower and special parties.

Katie’s Garden: an enchanting location for weddings with up to 300 guests. The garden is graced with a Victorian bower, wedding gazebo, fountains, garden ornaments and a «secret» garden.

History

Established in 1970.

The Heard-​Craig House, built in 1900, is one of the most beautifully preserved historic homes in North Texas. The gracious hospitality of S. D. Heard and his wife, Lillie, made this residence a center of social, business, art and literary activities. The family’s heirlooms, art objects, personal memorabilia and furniture remain in the home today.

Thanks to the foresight of the Heard’s daughter, Kathryn (Katie), the Heard family home has been preserved so that future generations can «learn somewhat of the past.» It was Kathryn Heard Craig’s dream that her family home be used for the «education and enlightenment of the women of McKinney.» She believed that by providing a «club house» where the women’s clubs could meet that they would continue to flourish; and provide personal enrichment and education to their members. Clubs with a cultural, literary or educational focus have had the privilege of meeting in the Heard-​Craig facilities since 1971.

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Meet the Manager

Barbara J.

Manager

Barbara looks forward to discussing the history of the Heard-​Craig House with you. She loves to give tours and promote the arts in our community. She is chairwoman of the Texas Regional Arts Symposium and enjoys listing to Art History on first Wednesday of the month at the Heard-​Craig Carriage House.