McFaddin-Ward House Announces Spring 2025 Public Programming
Beaumont, TX; Dec. 13, 2024 – The McFaddin-Ward House announces its Spring 2025 public programming lineup, which will include the continuation of the museum’s popular Lecture Series, as well as the third annual SOAR Celebration and Music at the McFaddins’ outdoor live music events.
Internationally recognized author and former White House staffer Anita McBride will share her extensive expertise on first ladies and the innerworkings of the White House, along with insights from her acclaimed book, “Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women,” which showcases the evolving role of the first lady and its historical influence on the American presidency.
In her two decades of White House service, McBride saw firsthand the unique influence of first ladies on American politics, policy and global diplomacy. As Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, she directed the first lady’s travels to 67 countries in four years and became one of the longest-serving women in White House history. McBride has also served in senior roles under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
Cody Firearms Museum Curator Danny Michael will showcase the storied historical firearms of the American West—from the more recognizable frontier guns to the oddities used by outlaws, lawmen and everyone in between—and share how technological advances and firearm innovations influenced the American Frontier. In conjunction with the lecture, Michael will offer a free Firearms Identification Clinic for the community to be held at the Visitor Center on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please note all guns brought for identification must be unloaded and secured in a case.
Michael has served as the Robert W. Woodruff curator of the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, since 2020. In addition to his curatorial and research work, he co-founded the “Arsenals of History” symposium, which brings together museums and firearms historians from around the world.
March 2025: SOAR Celebration | Museum Lawn (1906 McFaddin Ave., Beaumont)
The McFaddin-Ward House will present the 3rd Annual SOAR Celebration in March 2025. This month-long vibrant display of butterflies across the outdoor gardens will feature several exciting events beginning with the admission-free SOAR Family Day on Sunday, March 2, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The festive springtime event will include live music, food trucks, garden and butterfly related craft activities, the Houston Museum of Natural Science Bug Carts, local artist Butterfly Garden display, butterfly ride-on bikes, and more.
Other SOAR offerings during March will be SOAR Saturdays (Mar. 8, 15, 22 and 29) featuring live piano music played on the McFaddin-Ward House baby grand piano during admission-free tours of the historic home and SOAR Ceramics China Painting Classes held in the museum Visitor Center on Mar. 8, 15 and 22.
The Stringbenders, a Houston-based five-piece band, will deliver a dynamic performance featuring an eclectic mix of country, classic rock, Tex-Mex and Zydeco-style music. Gates open at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and refreshments as they gather on the historic home’s grounds to enjoy a great evening of live entertainment.
One of the most famous art detectives in the world, Robert Wittman will share thrilling stories from his FBI investigations into some of the largest and most captivating fraud cases in the art and collectible world and offer invaluable insights and practical tips on sophisticated fraudster protection.
After joining the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988, Wittman received specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry, and gem identification, enabling him to serve as the FBI’s investigative expert involving cultural property crime. During his 20-year FBI career, Wittman recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property and has represented the United States throughout the world, conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in recovery and use of high asset value security techniques.
Curator of Transportation at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, Matt Anderson will provide an engaging overview of the automobile industry in Detroit, highlighting the significant and transformative role of the Ford Motor Company. In conjunction with the lecture, a striking collection of classic cars presented by Garage Deluxe will be on view in the Visitor Center parking lot.
Serving as The Henry Ford’s John and Horace Dodge Curator of Transportation since 2012, Anderson oversees the development, care and interpretation of the museum’s collection of nearly 300 motor vehicles, as well as the collection’s horse-drawn carriages, railroad locomotives and rolling stock and aircraft.
All McFaddin-Ward House events are admission-free and open to the public. For lectures and lawn events, doors/gates open at 6 p.m. Seating for lectures is limited.
Built in 1905-1906 in the distinctive Beaux-Arts Colonial style, the McFaddin-Ward House reflects the lifestyle of the prominent family which lived in the house for 75 years. The museum features free tours, educational programming, year-round events, a carriage house, and gardens.
For more information, call 409-832-2134 or visit mcfaddin-ward.org.