McFaddin-Ward House Announces Spring 2026 Public Programming
Beaumont, TX; Dec. 15, 2025 – The McFaddin-Ward House announces its Spring 2026 public programming lineup, which will include the continuation of the museum’s popular lecture series, as well as the fourth annual SOAR Celebration and Music at the McFaddins’ outdoor concert series.
Russell “Rusty” Chimeno, lead docent tour guide at Beaumont’s iconic Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, will explore St. Anthony’s multi-million-dollar restoration that converted the sacred space into a breathtakingly beautiful local landmark.
During his 13-year tenure as chief financial officer of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, Chimeno, who retired as firm administrator for Mehaffy Weber, P.C. in 2022, oversaw the financial aspect of St. Anthony’s repairs and renovations. Today, he serves St. Anthony as lead docent, sharing the history and symbolism of the Cathedral Basilica with visitors from across the world.
Texas Citrus Mutual President Dale Murden will highlight the rich history, current farming practices, and promising future of Texas citrus orchards.
A fifth-generation Texan with a love of the land and farming, Murden has held numerous positions within the citrus industry. Since 2014, he has passionately served agriculture farmers and ranchers through his role as president of Texas Citrus Mutual and its subsidiaries.
March 1: SOAR Family Day | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Museum Lawn (1906 McFaddin Ave., Beaumont)
The McFaddin-Ward House Museum will present the 4th Annual SOAR Celebration in March 2026. This month-long colorful display of butterflies throughout the outdoor gardens will feature the admission-free SOAR Family Day on Sunday, March 1, with live music performances, food trucks, picnicking on the grounds, family activities, garden and butterfly related crafts, local artist Butterfly Garden display, butterfly ride-on bikes, and a variety of booths from community partners.
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 in the historic home’s gardens to enjoy a great evening of live entertainment.
Medill Harvey, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ruth Bigelow Wriston curator of American Decorative Arts and manager of the Henry R. Luce Center for the Study of American Art, will give a glimpse into the exceptional artistry, symbolism, and history of 19th century American silver, highlighting exquisite pieces in The Metropolitan Collection. From grand vessels that graced the homes of affluent patrons to intimate domestic, ecclesiastical, and personal items, each piece tells a story.
In conjunction with the lecture, Harvey will offer a free Silver Identification Clinic for the community to be held at the Museum Visitor Center on Thursday, April 16, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (reservations recommended). Item limit is three pieces per person.
The McFaddin-Ward House Museum will present an evening of fantastic music in its beautiful gardens. Performer to be announced. Gates open at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and refreshments.
For the past 40 years, the Antique Rose Emporium, an eight-acre rose garden and popular tourist destination in historic Independence, TX, has championed the charm and resilience of old garden roses. Co-owner Jim Keeter Jr. will explore the Emporium’s fascinating journey from humble beginnings to national recognition and how its legacy inspires a bold, blooming future for roses and gardeners alike.
All McFaddin-Ward House Museum events are admission-free and open to the public. For lectures and music events, doors/gates open at 6 p.m. Seating for lectures is limited.
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.
For more information, call 409-832-2134.
2025 Holiday Installation