Historian to Explore Golden Age of Ocean Liners at McFaddin-Ward House Museum Lecture on June 11

Historian to Explore Golden Age of Ocean Liners at McFaddin-Ward House Museum Lecture on June 11

Beaumont, TX; May 26, 2026 – Historian Brian Dudley will navigate titanic tales of the illustrious ocean liners that once traversed the North Atlantic during his free public lecture, “The Golden Age of Ocean Liners: A Short History from 1897 to the Present,” presented by the McFaddin-Ward House Museum on Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont).

Dudley’s lecture will trace the technological, architectural, and decorative evolution of transatlantic ocean liners and explore how these impressive ships shaped world events and impacted history in the 20th century.

“My lecture will be profusely illustrated, so I hope to convey the actual experience of being on board,” Dudley said. “I try to evoke the tradition, romance, and grandeur of these magnificent ships. Ocean liner history involves so many disciplines that there is something for everyone. The great liners either had an impact on or reflected world history, represented technological advances, and were often the catalyst for modern interior design and artistic expression.”

Since the age of four, Dudley has been fascinated by ocean liners. Throughout his life, he has researched the captivating history of these grand ships in museums and libraries across the country and has acquired a personal library of more than 200 ocean liner-related books, as well as a vast collection of ocean liner memorabilia.

“The story of the Titanic grabbed me by the shoulders when I was four and wouldn’t let go,” Dudley said.  “From then on, I couldn’t learn enough about all the great liners. As an engineer, I love studying the technical details of their design and construction and the science behind naval architecture. Also, the creative side of me loves looking at the evolution of style and decoration of these ships.”

Dudley has made several transatlantic crossings on the France, the Queen Elizabeth 2, and the Queen Mary 2, experiencing the wonders of an ocean liner voyage firsthand. He says he enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge of these legendary ships and hopes the audience walks away loving ocean liners as much as he does.

“Being part of the community of liner enthusiasts has allowed me to form friendships with some wonderful people,” Dudley said. “Lecturing about them has allowed me to share my knowledge with a variety of groups and has now given me the opportunity to visit Texas. I hope the audience is entertained, educated, and, perhaps, inspired to learn more about them or even take a voyage.”

McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are admission-free and open to the public, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. For those unable to attend, the full lecture will be available for viewing on the Museum’s YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@mcfaddinwardhouse), Facebook (facebook.com/McFaddinWardHouse), and website (mcfaddin-ward.org/about/videos) after the event.

In conjunction with the lecture, the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (500 Main St., Beaumont) will offer lecture attendees and enthusiasts a private tour of its exhibition, “Julius Stockfleth: Dawn of a Century,” on Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m. The exhibition features the work of marine and landscape painter Julius Stockfleth, whose most notable paintings include famous ships that sailed during the late 1800s and early 1900s. One of the paintings on display depicts the HMHS Britannic, which was built by White Star Line and launched in 1914. The younger sister of the RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic, Britannic was intended to enter service as a transatlantic passenger liner but was lost during World War I. 

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.