About Us

What the Heritage Farm is about

Ellis County is in the heart of the Texas Blackland Prairie (named for its rich dark soil), which is a complex tallgrass prairie ecosystem.  The soil was also ideally suited to crop agriculture that led to the development of small family farms and ranches which provided the foundation for the growth of the cotton industry and ultimately of the Ellis County and Dallas-Fort Worth area economy and communities.

The 145-acre Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm is the remnant of the Marvin W. and Mattie F. Aday Family Farm of which ~315 acres was appropriated for the Superconducting Super Collider Project in the early 1990s.  A centerpiece of the farm is the beautifully restored 1913 McKinney-Aday Farm House

The site is comprised of a working farm and native prairie areas.  The heritage farm will offer organized tours, active learning opportunities, educational and living history programs, and garden or row crop or native prairie demonstration projects to provide opportunities for future generations to gain an understanding and appreciation of rural life in late 19^th and early to mid-20^th century Ellis County, Texas

In association with the Ellis County Museum, Inc. a Board of Directors will oversee the organization and operation of the Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm Inc.  The heritage farm will be an ongoing project to enhance public appreciation of and provide educational opportunities to students and learners of all ages about rural farm life.  Interested parties can become members, contribute direct financial support, and/or volunteer for specific projects to assist with the operation of the heritage farm.

Historical aspects of the farm property

In 2013, the Texas Historical Commission designated the 1913 McKinney - Aday Farm House a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.  By using the links below, access to the image of the marker, dedication program, and historical genealogy of the house and its residents is provided.

Texas Historical Marker

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Dedication Program

History of the McKinney - Aday Farm House

Restoration

Use the link below to access a You Tube video of an interview with Anthony Mottla, who drew up the architectural plans for the restoration of the McKinney-Aday Farm House, and Home Owner Lu Ann Aday conducted by Andrew Branca, Waxahachie Daily Light reporter and staff writer (published on May 11, 2012):

Farm House Restoration Interview

Want Even More History and Information?

The link below is to a slide show presentation that gives a much more extensive history of and details about the future plans for the Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm Inc.

Heritage Farm - Slide Show - History (74 slides)