McFaddin-Ward House Museum Lecture to Highlight Popular Texas Tourist Destination the Antique Rose Emporium on May 7

Beaumont, TX; April 20, 2026 – The McFaddin-Ward House Museum will present “Preserving the Past, Cultivating the Future: The Antique Rose Emporium Journey,” a free public lecture by Jim Keeter Jr. on Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont).

For the past 40 years, the Antique Rose Emporium, an eight-acre rose garden, nursery, gift shop and popular tourist destination in historic Independence, Texas, has championed the charm and resilience of old garden roses.

“It’s one of those places you really have to experience in person,” Keeter, Antique Rose Emporium co-owner, said. “You can see roses growing in a real garden setting—not just in pots—and get ideas you can actually take home and use. Plus, since we’re a nursery, gift shop, and working rose breeder and grower, people can leave not just inspired, but with everything they need to get started.”

During his lecture, Keeter will share the Emporium’s story, tracing its rise from humble beginnings to national recognition and detailing how its legacy inspires a “bold, blooming future” for roses and gardeners alike.

“A key highlight is the role of the Rose Rustlers in rediscovering and preserving heirloom varieties that might have otherwise been lost,” Keeter said. “I’ll also talk about where we’re headed—how breeding, sustainable practices, and education are shaping the future of roses and gardening.”

Keeter developed a lifelong love of plants and sustainable landscapes while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in range land ecology and management at Texas A&M University in 1983. His passion for plants has carried him through a versatile career in ranch brokerage, landscape planning, and plant sourcing. Working first with his father’s firm and then building his own business, Keeter has learned every facet of horticulture and land design from project management to creative planting strategies.

“My grandmother had an orchid greenhouse, and my dad, who was a landscape architect, was really ahead of his time in using native plants in Texas landscapes, so that appreciation for plants and how they function was just part of growing up,” Keeter said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work in many different areas of the industry, and each has taught me something valuable, but the most rewarding part has been helping people connect with the land and seeing them succeed in creating spaces that thrive.”

In 2022, Keeter and his wife Kim purchased the Antique Rose Emporium, where he now shares his passion for resilient roses and ecological gardens with thousands of visitors from across the country who come to explore the vibrant blooms, experience the artistry of horticulture, and feel connected to a legacy that has transcended generations.

“I hope attendees leave [the lecture] feeling encouraged that sustainable gardening will enhance the beauty of their environment,” Keeter said. “My background has shown me that when you work with nature instead of against it, you get much better long-term results. If people walk away inspired to try a few hardier, more resilient plants—or to rethink how they approach their landscape—then I’ve done my job. I hope people leave feeling like this is doable.”

McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are admission-free and open to the public, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call 409-832-2134.

For those unable to attend, the full lecture will be available for viewing on the museum YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@mcfaddinwardhouse), Facebook (facebook.com/McFaddinWardHouse) and website (mcfaddin-ward.org/about/videos) after the event.

Completed in 1906, the McFaddin-Ward House is a fully restored Beaux-Arts Colonial-style mansion and historic landmark in Beaumont, Texas, that offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of the prominent McFaddin family and their enduring contributions to the economic, social, and cultural history of the region. The museum offers admission-free tours of the Historic Home, Carriage House, and Gardens, as well as educational programming and year-round events.