As we continue to honor Celina’s 150 years of rich history and heritage, there is a person and a place that honors it well. Rachel Baty and the Celina Museum are striving toward just that. Located on West Pecan Street, the Celina Area Heritage Association and Museum holds the story of the beginning, the then, and the now of Celina, Texas.
Celina’s history and the museum have come a long way. From 1876 to now, various stories, highlights, and memories have been encapsulated within the four walls of the museum. From Celina’s early days to the growth we have seen all around us, the values are what have made Celina what it is today.
Rachel Baty, the president of the Celina Museum, has felt the same way. She describes Celina’s 150 years as full of faith, family, and community. To Rachel, Celina’s rich history means 150 years of stories. To Rachel, Celina’s rich history means 150 years of stories. She is inspired by how J. Fred Smith, who was inspired by the city of Chicago, wanted to create a “beautiful city.” He laid out the foundations for the square, which included brick buildings and 200 carloads of Carrollton red gravel. He also planted trees and street lights. As a result, the streets were no longer dirt roads, but streets filled with light and concrete. Many people don’t know he had opposition when he first asked the merchants to move to the square from where they had rolled to be near the new Frisco rail. Once they saw how beautiful the new brick buildings were, all of them agreed to move. J. Fred Smith was gracious and generous. He bought all the old frame buildings from the merchants for a better-than-market price and moved them onto lots to be used as residences.
It’s stories like that, the stories that recognize trailblazers, bravery and courage, and resilience, that inspire Rachel Baty to do what she does. “The story of the Square inspires me. Throughout Celina’s history, it has been the central gathering place and hub of community and fellowship. There has always been a reason to meet on the Square.”
Over the years, Celina has held to its Heritage Fundamentals, which have been woven into the big picture of what Celina is today. Because of the Celina Area Heritage Association and Museum, the fundamentals of Agriculture, Self-Sufficiency, Faith & Education, Patriotism, and Loving Neighbors have all played a role from our beginning to our future.
Through agriculture, Celina has laid a foundation of hard work and strength over the years. “Wheat, cotton, corn, and oats rooted in this rich soil were the source of income, beginnings of commerce, and a building block that brought people to Celina and kept them here.” Because of self-sufficiency, Celina has “made its own way by working hard and working together. We became a farming community, shifted with the railroad, established the town with businesses and a town square to be a thriving hub for the community - a unique stance from a city that was not a county seat.” Through faith and education, “Celina has deep beliefs that are passed on with great passion to our children. Churches and Schools have always been cornerstones in our community, supporting each other in bringing up children in the way they should go, and preparing the next generation with great pride and character.” Patriotism rests upon recognizing the profound cost of sacrifice. “Celina holds dear our freedoms, pride in this great nation and the profound cost that affords us this luxury. Veterans are revered, and we celebrate and honor life and liberty, and we pursue happiness at every opportunity.” Lastly, but not least, is loving our neighbors, not just the ones who live next door. “The people of Celina meet the needs of others in our community with overwhelming support. We build, we feed families, we show up and we lift each other with our talents, our time, and our words. The generous nature is spurred on through generational families with roots that keep the spirit of Celina alive and is open to all who live here.”
“Celina’s story is rooted in faith, family, and a sense of pride in its community...The Museum has collected and preserved Celina’s history for over 26 years,” Baty continued to share. “Our founders, Jane Huddleston, Jane Willard, and Bob McKnight had a great vision over 25 years ago when they saw a need for a museum. In the spirit of Celina, they persevered and brought their vision of documenting and preserving Celina’s history to life…They have passed the torch and it is a great honor to continue their mission.”
Their mission is to preserve it for future generations. The traditions that have brought us all together, from Homecoming to Friday Night Markets, from Friday Night Lights to the Square, have all played a role in the story of Celina. Thanks to Rachel Baty and the Celina Museum team, we all have a place to revere the past and look toward the bright future for Celina!
All of us have a role to play in the next 150 years of Celina. We are the ones who are making new memories on the Square, loving our neighbors, living out the faith, and holding fast to all the traditions that have allowed this city to be what it is today! We are Celina! And as many have said, Happy 150 years, Celina! Here’s to many, many more!
To visit the Celina Museum:
Stop by 211 W. Pecan St., Celina, TX 75009, Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM.
(Closed Sunday–Tuesday)
Stay tuned because the Celina Museum has some new things on the horizon!