Exhibits

Write this Way — Past Visitor Center Exhibit

May 22, 2013

In the last century, the tradition of writing was the main way to keep in touch with friends and family over long distances. Some writing implements and accessories from this era lent a certain luxury to this important social ritual that we relish, even today.

A dedicated letter writer, Ida McFaddin kept up with communication trends, and in the 1930s she purchased this portable Royal typewriter.

We can almost imagine Ida McFaddin, impeccably dressed, sitting at her writing table to compose a letter on her Royal typewriter. As she would have wanted everything “just so,” we envision her there with this cup and saucer filled with perfectly-brewed tea. Crown Staffordshire China Company, Ltd., Burslem, England.

The act of sitting down to write a letter may be somewhat lost on younger generations, but we history-lovers cannot help but smile when a hand-written note comes in the mail on beautiful stationery. This hand-embroidered Montag writing paper belonged to Mamie McFaddin. Montag paper was popular during the 1950s and 60s and was often given for special occasions, or even Christmas.

No writing desk was complete without a beautiful pen. This Waterman’s fountain pen, ca. 1920-30, had a metal “lever filler” on the reservoir.

This postal scale, ca. 1950, was made in England. Back before dashing off quick text messages or emails was possible, letters–oftentimes, very lengthy–were written, especially if there was a lot of news to include; often they took more than one stamp. This postal scale had counterweights that indicated the weight of the letter, letting the writer know how much postage to use to ensure that it reached its destination.

Tried and True: Traditions of a Southeast Texas Family — Past House Exhibit

May 22, 2013

Our summer edition of Tried and True: Traditions of a Southeast Texas Family, features some exciting details, including the winning place setting from our Click to Curate campaign. The exhibit, which includes Dresden, will be on display through November.

Dresden was made by the Saxonian Porcelain Factory, ca. 1920, in the town of Freital just outside of Dresden, Germany. The dining table, set in Dresden china, Baltimore Rose silverware, and cut glass, looks as if the McFaddins were about to walk in at any moment for dinner.

The butler’s pantry is set with the domestic employees’ preparations for the next course in both adjoining rooms. Here, aqua Blenko sherbet dishes, ca. 1930, perfectly match the luncheon set in the breakfast room.

The Dresden coffee service, set on a silver tray, is nearly ready to be taken in the dining room for the dessert course. The book, Coffee and Waffles by Alice Foote MacDougall, contains coffee trivia and household tips.

The appliqued, embroidered, cutwork tablecloth is the perfect backdrop for the Blenko luncheon place setting.

The tablecloth, ca. 1930-50, with appliqued flowers and leaves in delicate pastels, harmonizes with the room’s nature theme.

The scalloped-edge cotton and linen napkins match the tablecloth.

The blown-glass Blenko finger bowls were used for diners to rinse their fingers between courses.

Delicate doilies used beneath the finger bowls are decorated with a cross-bar hemstitch design.

Blenko wine glasses coordinate with the breakfast table’s finger bowls, iced tea glasses and place settings.

Blenko cocktail glasses were used for serving after dinner drinks.

Here in the library, Mamie would spend evenings relaxing, listening to the radio, and reading. She frequently consulted etiquette books to keep up with the latest trends in hospitality.

The sun porch’s informal atmosphere was the perfect place to spend leisure time. The Wedgwood hunting scene tumblers, ca. 1910, were likely used to serve a cool beverage, especially in the hot summer months.

The Gloria swinger clock, was manufactured by the Ansonia Clock Company in the early 20th century.

A conscientious hunter like Carroll Ward kept his guns maintained, using a gun cleaning kit like this one. This kit was manufactured by J.C. Higgins company.

The McFaddin “guys” enjoyed evenings in the billiard room, many times kicked back with a beer and a smoke, listening to the latest songs on the phonograph.

The game table is set up as if the boys are about to play block dominoes. The black “pips” are made of ebony and are set in ivory.

These stoneware and pewter beer steins were made in Germany around 1920.

To see the rest of the summer exhibit, see our tour information page or call (409) 832-2134 for reservations.

The Supporting Cast — The Current Carriage House Exhibit

April 30, 2011

In the early twentieth century, the wealthy employed large numbers of people to support their lifestyles. These working people were essential, both for their service, and for the status they brought to their employers.

Visit the carriage house for a step back in time! Tour the servant’s quarters and see how one of the McFaddins’ domestic employees lived. Explore the upstairs exhibit, The Supporting Cast, to learn about all the people required–mostly behind the scenes–to make the McFaddins’ lifestyle possible. The displays tell their stories–like that of Buck Sam, pictured left, the McFaddins’ farm manager, who brought the family produce daily.

Along with the history learned, guests will see the architectural ingenuity in the building’s construction, the fabulous cars driven by Mamie and Carroll Ward, and a carriage that dates back to 1908. According to the American Alliance of Museums, the carriage house is one of the best preserved in the country.