The McFaddin-Ward House

Historic House Museum in Beaumont, Texas

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Museum Docents

(Volunteer Opportunity)

The McFaddin-Ward House Museum, an AAM accredited historic house museum in Beaumont, Texas, is looking for Volunteer Docents. Built 1905-1906, the Beaux-Arts Colonial mansion was the home of the prominent McFaddin family for 75 years. The Museum, which opened in 1986, ranges over three city blocks and includes the Historic House, a Carriage House, Gardens, a Visitor Center, an Administrative Office, and a Collections Office Building. An enjoyable and successful visitor experience is dependent upon interaction with Museum volunteers. From guest greetings at the Visitor Center to departing farewells, the enjoyment and satisfaction our guests experience is in the hands of our volunteers, highlighting the importance of the volunteer to the successful operation of the McFaddin-Ward House Museum.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • The primary responsibility of a Docent at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum is to interpret the museum and its collection for the visiting public.
  • Through thorough training, Docents are equipped to provide a variety of tour experiences for all audiences.
  • Most often, Docents offer an individualized guided tour for the general public.
  • The museum also trains Docents to give tours structured for specific audiences, such as school children. In the stationed tour format, Docents provide guests with information pertaining to one specific room.
  • Additional volunteer opportunities include working on special projects and programs as a Department Volunteer in museum departments such as Education and Collections.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Applicants must have an interest in history and decorative arts.
  • Applicants must be able to devote time to training and volunteering.
  • Ideal docents will have a strong desire to share knowledge with the public, a sincere willingness to learn and study, and a pleasant and positive attitude.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Monthly Docent Commitment: The minimum requested Monthly Docent Commitment is 2 shifts of 2 hours each. Vacations, illness, etc. arise and accommodation is made where needed. For group and school tours, Docents are contacted on an as needed basis. For Holiday Open House tours, Docents are contacted for station tour shifts.
  • Training Course: Docents must complete a four-week Training Course (meeting one day per week for approximately 2 hours) followed by Shadowing Sessions with experienced Docents (1 hour each). A Tour Review and final Tour Assessment will be conducted.
  • The position requires a moderate level of mobility and stamina to be able to negotiate stairs and the distance to the Historic House and Carriage House.

NEW DOCENT TRAINING COURSES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2025.

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Please submit a cover letter by mail, fax, or email to:

    Bel Morian
    Public Programming Director
    McFaddin-Ward House Museum
    725 North Third Street
    Beaumont, Texas 77701
    P: (409) 832-2134
    F: (409) 832-3483
    Email: bmorian@mcfaddin-ward.org

Summer Internship

(Temporary Position)

The McFaddin-Ward House Museum in Beaumont, Texas, is offering a paid summer internship in its collections department. The intern primarily will perform collection-related duties while gaining general experience in archival and educational operations of a historic house museum.

Built in 1905 to 1906, the Beaux-Arts Colonial mansion was the home of Mamie McFaddin Ward, who left it as a historic house museum in 1982. The museum, which opened in 1986, ranges over three city blocks and includes the main house, carriage house, visitor center, administrative office, facilities building, and collections office building.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Cataloging and digitizing archives, oral interviews, and artifacts into the museum’s collections database.
  • Assisting with inventory, object photography, collections storage, and collections research, as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in public history, museum studies, or a relevant history-focused discipline (such as history, art history, or American studies).  
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to perform detail-oriented tasks.
  • Knowledge of proper artifact handling is preferred.
  • Experience with collections management software is preferred.
  • Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Requirements:

  • Interns must provide their own housing and transportation.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS:

  • Ten (10) weeks at 40 hours per week with a $3,100 stipend (taxes will be withheld).
  • Flexible work dates between May and September 2025.
  • On-site in Beaumont, Texas.
  • Office staff can assist with the necessary paperwork for interns to obtain course credit.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

  • Friday, April 11, 2025

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Please submit a cover letter and current resume with three references, at least one of which should be a past supervisor, by mail or email to:

Victoria Tamez, Curator of Collections
McFaddin-Ward House Museum
725 North Third Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Email: vtamez@mcfaddin-ward.org

The McFaddin-Ward House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.