The Heard has several spectacular indoor and outdoor event sites. Our venues are available for rent for your wedding, social event, corporate meeting, anniversary party and more.
Our spaces include the Science Resource Center, Laughlin Hall and the outdoor Native Plant Garden.
One of these unique locations is sure to enrich a successful event in a stimulating, beautiful atmosphere. The ambiance of the Heard’s magnificent natural environment will enhance any special occasion.
The Heard is located just 32 miles north of Downtown Dallas and less than from Historic Downtown McKinney, Texas.
Photo By Absolute Photography
The Science Resource Center is a testament to people working with nature.
Designed using green architecture, the center was built beside a nature trail atop a hill. This venue offers a wall of windows that overlooks the beautiful wetlands and wildlife sanctuary. The hall boasts a 20’ ceiling with wood beams, a 9’x16’ media screen and more. Also, a deck offers additional gorgeous views of the wetlands and sanctuary. This makes it a beautiful option for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Further, designed using green (related to the beautiful design and construction of buildings, etc.), the center was built beside a nature trail on top of a hill. Too, this location/stadium offers a wall of windows that (ignores/doesn’t notice) the beautiful (lands that often or always have a layer of water) and wildlife safe place. Furthermore, the hall brags a 20′ ceiling with wood beams, a 9’x16′ media screen and more. Also, a deck offers added/more gorgeous views of the (lands that often or always have a layer of water) and safe place. What’s more, this makes it a beautiful option for wedding (formal, special events or series of actions) and receptions.
*Please note that décor and furniture pictured may be for demonstration purposes only.
General Capacity: 100
Dining Capacity: 92 (varies by layout)
26′ x 48′
1,248 sqft.
8 Hours
$2800
4 Hours
$1900
Add-On Hours
$350
Ceremony on Deck – 3 Hour Block
(no indoor meeting hall usage included)
$450
($100 for each additional hour)
Add on the Native Plant Garden or Amphitheater
4 Hours: $1200
(Rental of SRC or Laughlin Hall required to rent the Native Plant Garden or Amphitheater)
See additional fee information in our FAQs.
Laughlin Hall is located in the main museum building. This meeting hall has a beautiful nature-themed floor. Moreover, an expansive wall of windows overlooks the wildlife sanctuary and provides bird watching opportunities. Amenities include a kitchen, which offers a refrigerator, icemaker and range.
On the other hand, Laughlin Hall is located in the main museum building. Moreover, this meeting hall has a beautiful nature-themed floor. More than that, a big and wide wall of windows looks out on the wildlife safe place and provides bird watching opportunities. Wedding and event venue. To clarify, nice things to have include a kitchen, which offers a refrigerator, icemaker and range.
*Please note that décor and furniture pictured may be for demonstration purposes only.
General Capacity: 78
Dining Capacity: 72 (varies by layout)
35′ x 42′
1,470 sqft.
8 Hours: $1550
4 Hours: $1000
Add-on Hours: $250 per additional hour
Add on the Native Plant Garden or Amphitheater
4 Hours: $1200
(Rental of SRC or Laughlin Hall required to rent the Native Plant Garden or Amphitheater)
See additional fee information in our FAQs.
A charming two-acre Native Plant Garden is ideal for weddings and small dinner parties. Guests receive a memorable experience among the winding paths and seasonal wildflowers. Laughlin Hall may be an option in the event of inclement weather, based on availability (additional fees may apply). Each rental includes on-site event security.
Significantly, a charming two-area of land about 200 feet X 220 feet Native Plant Garden is ideal for weddings and small dinner parties. Markedly, guests receive an unforgettable experience among the winding paths and related to fall, spring, etc. wildflowers. Not to mention, Laughlin Hall may be an option in the event of stormy/hard-hearted weather.
2 acres
Available only as an add-on for SRC or Laughlin Hall rentals.
4 Hours: $1200
See additional fee information in our FAQs.
The perfect outdoor venue for weddings, reunions and family events with beautiful views of the Wildlife Sanctuary. The Heard Amphitheater also is an excellent location to host concerts, theater performances, speeches, education programs and more.
Unquestionably, the perfect outdoor wedding and event venue with beautiful views of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Indeed, the Heard Amphitheater also is an excellent location to host concerts, theater performances, speeches, education programs and more.
Seating Capacity: 525
Available for events from 5-11 p.m. by reservation.
An additional free hour for set up may be provided as early as 4 p.m.
Available only as an add-on for SRC or Laughlin Hall rentals.
4 Hours: $1200
Tents and heaters may be available for outdoor spaces upon request. A $50 labor fee and $50 equipment fee will be added.
See additional fee information in our FAQs.
Please use our Venue Rental Information Request Form to request more information about our venues. Moreover, we will be happy to provide you with a quote for your event or begin the reservation process.
We also welcome you to contact facilityrental@heardmuseum.org or 469.450.4772.
For information about children’s birthday parties or our other educational program offerings, please contact education@heardmuseum.org.
For information about our educational birthday parties for children, please see our Birthday Party information page (these events are not coordinated by our venue rental department).
Please use our Venue Rental Information Request Form to request more information about our venues or to schedule a tour.
Tours are available by appointment only. Two tours are available per venue rental. One will be available at the time of booking. The second tour is available closer to your event date. Additional tours are available for an additional fee.
To hold a date, please contact our Venue Rental Coordinator. If the date is available, we will offer a 7-day soft hold while details are discussed, and a contract is generated. A hold is not secure until a signed contract is returned with the required fees:
Note that the booking fee will be applied toward the prices listed in the venue pricing sections above.
In the event that another party is interested in the venue (for the date you requested) before we receive these items, we will offer you a deadline to submit the contract and deposit before releasing the hold to the other party. If the date you requested has an existing hold, we will offer the previous party a deadline and then contact you when the deadline is over.
*See rental agreement for security deposit terms.
Please note that decor and furniture pictured may be for demonstration purposes only. For specific information about decor and furniture that is available to borrow, please contact our staff at facilityrental@heardmuseum.org or 469.450.4772.
The Heard does not provide linens, place settings, or other table decor/elements.
Please note that decor and furniture pictured may be for demonstration purposes only. For specific information about decor and furniture that is available to borrow, please contact our staff at facilityrental@heardmuseum.org or 469.450.4772.
The Heard does not provide porter service, waiter service, etc.
For specific information about what services are provided, please contact our staff at facilityrental@heardmuseum.org or 469.450.4772.
Prices subject to change; discount pricing available for members. For additional information about rental rules, regulations and terms, see the Facility Rental Agreement.
For additional information about rental rules, regulations and terms, see the Facility Rental Agreement.
Yes! One the benefits of holding your special event at the Heard is that we allow you to customize and fully control your food and vendor experience.
We do not currently offer wi-fi as an amenity.
The Heard is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together through education programs, our own special events and more. As such, our venues may be already be reserved for our own program offerings.
We request that events end at the time listed in the agreed-upon contract. Should an event run past the time designated, please note that a $150 fee per 15 minute increment will apply. Please note that excellent discounts apply for additional hours reserved at the time of booking. See pricing above.
Yes! We would be happy to give you a scheduled walk-through and answer any questions to help you decide to book. Once you book the space, our venue rental coordinator will be available for an additional walk-through. Request more information or email our Venue Rental Coordinator.
We are sometimes able to offer discounts to organizations that hold a valid charitable status with the IRS. Please contact our Venue Rental Coordinator for details.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to bring nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment.
The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature.
Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.
Your support will help ensure the Heard will be sustained for future generations to enjoy. There are many ways to support the Heard, including renting our venues, in-kind donations and volunteering.
© 2024 Heard Museum Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069 | Contact | Privacy Policy
