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The Collin County History Museum is proudly housed in the historic 1911 McKinney Post Office, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Designed by architect J.H. Suttle, this Italianate-style building once served as the town’s communication center and now serves as a vibrant portal into Collin County’s past.
Clad in limestone with an arched three-bay entrance and wide overhanging eaves with detailed brackets, the building is a standout example of early 20th-century government architecture. Remarkably, the original doors and windows remain intact, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the era. The building was deeded to Collin County in 1959 and became home to the museum in 1982. Inside, guests will find curated exhibits showcasing historical artifacts, photographs, maps, documents, and archival newspapers that trace the development of Collin County’s communities. The museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing local stories through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and collaborative community events. Our mission is to keep the history of Collin County alive, accessible, and meaningful for generations to come. |
Our Timeline |
 Closing the Post Office--1959
The Federal Building served the City of McKinney and the surrounding area as a post office, postal savings bank, and government office for 46 years. Due to city growth, the building was scheduled to be replaced in 1941, but this was postponed because of WWII, and it did not close as a post office until 1959.
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 Disaster Equipment--1961
However, the land had been deeded to Collin County in 1940, and from 1959 until 1964, the county used the building as the headquarters for Civil Defense, and the Texas Department of Public Safety leased it as a driver’s license office. |
 Former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, in front of the Collin County History Museum--1976
By 1970, the building was being used as a warehouse by the county fire marshal. The building, badly in need of repair, was abandoned for several years. Rescue began in 1976, when former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, cut the ribbon dedicating it as a museum. Restoration took place six years before the building reopened as the Central Museum in the Old Post Office. Today, it is known as our Collin County History Museum.
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