The McFaddin-Ward House

Historic House Museum in Beaumont, Texas

The museum is currently closed due to COVID-19 concerns.
Tentative reopening in September 2020.

Free Lecture: Scent and Subversion

Scent and Subversion: Decoding a Century of Provocative Perfume

Take a whiff on the wild side of 20th century perfume! From the colorful world of provocative scents comes the remarkable history of vintage Barbara Herman, authorperfumes. How were they marketed? What role did they play in our culture? Famed perfume authority and author Barbara Herman will be here to decode some myths and unravel the secrets. She even has her own perfume line at http://www.erisparfums.com/shop-books/scent-subversion-decoding-a-century-of-provocative-perfume.

Please join us!

 

Free Day Lecture: All Dolled Up

Mamie’s Paper Dolls

You’ve been asking. We deliver.
 
A FREE LECTURE DURING THE DAY! And this is one you don’t want to miss, especially if you have that special little someone at home this summer who loves to play dolls.
 
Not only do paper dolls show popular fashion, they transport us to simpler times of entertainment. Join us for a presentation and tour that will compare social trends to the fashions represented in paper dolls of the 1900’s. Through items from the McFaddin-Ward House collection, you can take a trip back to childhood memories while discovering popular fashion trends of the early 1900’s.
 
Presented by Emily Fischer
Summer Intern
Muskingum University

 

Free Lecture – DNA Kits: Who’s Been Climbing Your Tree?

DNA: the New Way to Meet Your Relatives

A hundred years ago when Ida Caldwell McFaddin researched her family’s genealogy, she may have become frustrated. The methods were not easy at that time; she no doubt painstakingly poured through hundreds, if not thousands of family documents and government records to trace her family ties.

How wonderful that times have changed! We have the internet AND over-the-counter DNA kits to help. Millions of people are racing to buy commercial DNA kits these days which is opening the door for millions to learn about family history, anscestry, and medical information.

Join us this month as we welcome the founder of the world’s first commercial DNA kit, Family Tree DNA. Bennett Greenspan will speak about the new popularity of DNA science and how it’s helping people around the globs to discover their roots.

Come early. We expect a crowd and there is no saving seats. Doors open at 6:00.

MWH Brings”Best Book” Writer Back Home

The McFaddin-Ward House is proud to bring New York writer Jamie Brickhouse back home to Beaumont to speak for its 2017 Lecture Series. Mr. Brickhouse is the son of Earl and Jean Brickhouse, a prominent couple in Beaumont’s past philanthropic circles and social society. His memoir, entitled Dangerous When Wet, details his life growing up with a flamboyant mother, coming out as a gay man, plunging into addiction, and finding redemption getting sober. He will present his lecture, “From Page to Stage” at the museum’s Visitor Center on March 9, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

About the Book

“A blisteringly funny, wrenching account of wrestling way too close to – and later loose from – booze, sex and drugs and his adorable, infuriating mother. Bravo!” —Mary Karr, New York Times bestselling author of The Liars’ Club

“Whoever said you can’t get sober for someone else never met my mother, Mama Jean. When I came to in a Manhattan emergency room after an overdose to the news that she was on her way from Texas, I panicked. She was the last person I wanted to see on that dark September morning, but the person I needed the most.”

So begins this astonishing memoir – by turns both darkly comic and deeply poignant – about this native Texan’s long struggle with alcohol, his complicated relationship with Mama Jean, and his sexuality.

The Author and Critical Acclaim

Jamie Brickhouse is a writer, performer, and public speaker. He is the author of the critically acclaimed Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir of Booze Sex and My Mother. It’s “Required Reading” in Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir; Amazon named it a “Best Book of May 2015,” and Book Chase named it a “2015 Nonfiction Top 10.” It received stellar reviews from publications such as Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, Interview, and The Washington Post. Brickhouse has been published in the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Salon, Out, Amtrak’s Arrive, Lambda Literary Review, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness, Australia’s The Daily Life, The Fix.com, the Latin American travel magazine Travesía, Addiction/Recovery eBulletin, and is a guest blogger for the Huffington Post and POZ. He has appeared on the national radio shows “The Michelangelo Signorile Show,” “The Marilu Henner Show,” “The Mother Love Show,” KPFA San Francisco’s “Book Waves with Richard Wolinsky,” and Northeast Public Radio’s “The Book Show.”

Jamie’s Solo Show

Brickhouse, a comedic storyteller, debuted his solo show based on Dangerous When Wet in New York City at The Tank’s 2016 Pride Fest and will be performing it at the FRIGID NYC Festival in February and March 2017. He is a two-time StorySLAM champion of The Moth, the acclaimed, not-for-profit worldwide organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling, a Literary Death Match champion, and has performed at live storytelling shows throughout New York, including Risk! He has also performed stand-up comedy and recorded voice-overs for the legendary cartoon TV show Beavis and Butthead.

 

More about Jamie…

Brickhouse spent over two decades in the publishing industry, most recently at two major houses as head of their publicity and lecture divisions. He is founder and CEO of redBrick Agency, a lecture bureau for authors. A native of Beaumont, Texas, he is a graduate of Trinity University (San Antonio) and the Radcliffe Publishing Course (now the Columbia Publishing Course). Brickhouse lives in New York City with his common- law husband Michael. He is at work on his next book, I Favor My Daddy, a memoir about his father Earl. You can friend him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @jamiebrickhouse, or visit www.jamiebrickhouse.com.

 

 

Free Lecture

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’LL FIND! 

ADVENTURES IN COLLECTING ANTIQUES, PORCELAIN, POTTERY, AND GLASS 

The 2016 McFaddin-Ward House Lecture Series continues with a special evening of antiques. If you love collecting old objects, you won’t want to miss this presentation. Antique, Art, Pottery, Porcelain, and Glass expert, David Lackey, brings his knowledge and talent to the McFaddin-Ward House in its continuing 2016 Lecture Series.

Speaker, David Lackey graduated from Baylor University, dealt in antiques for several years, then did intensive study at Christie’s Fine Arts in London. He has been a collector for most of his life, starting at the young age of 6 when he received an antique penny bank in the shape of a house. This simple gift ignited David’s passion for collecting old objects, and he began to shop with his parents at flea-markets and garage sales. By the age of 12, he was selling at weekend antiques fairs and to other dealers who appreciated his keen eye for quality items.

David Lackey presently owns an antique shop in Houston, creates his own art, and can be seen appraising collectibles on the enormously popular PBS series Antiques Roadshow. Please join us for this enlightening lecture and find out how he determines what your special “something” is worth.

For more information on David Lackey, please visit our news site at https://mcfaddin-ward.org/category/news/

Our lectures are FREE and open to the public, but seating is limited. We take the first 90 visitors who arrive. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

 

Antiques Road Show Expert to Speak Here

If you love antiques at the McFaddin-Ward House, chances are you’ve heard of Antiques Road Show. Items in our collection would be dream-finds on the popular PBS Series where Average Joes and Janes rustle up antiques and collectibles for a televised appraisal. From garage sales to grandpa’s attic, it’s an array of everything from the beautiful to unusual. Sometimes, they hit it big.

One popular appraiser on the show is David Lackey, a Houston antique and art dealer, collector, and expert. In addition to creating his own art, Mr. Lackey owns an antique store in Houston. The McFaddin-Ward House has invited Lackey to speak at a free lecture in May.

David Lackey “grew up” in the antique business so-to-speak. On his sixth birthday, someone gave little David an antique penny bank in the shape of a house. This simple gift ignited David’s passion for collecting old objects, and he began to shop with his parents at flea-markets and garage sales. By the age of 12, he was selling at weekend antiques fairs and to other dealers who appreciated his keen eye for quality items.

After graduating from Baylor University, David worked as a buyer for Foley’s Department Store, although he continued to sell collectibles on weekends. He sold china and crystal he’d bought at estate sales, and pretty soon, David became known as a local expert in ceramics and glass.

By 1983 David Lackey was dealing antiques on a full-time basis, but he longed to further his knowledge. Two years later, he liquidated his business and enrolled in an intensive year-long course at Christie’s Fine Arts in London. David returned to Houston in 1986 and re-opened his business which flourished.

Ten years later, along came Antiques Roadshow. In the first season, David was asked to appraise pottery and porcelain for a filming in San Antonio, Texas. His appraisal aired on the show and David was invited to other venues. Since 1998, David has appraised at every Antiques Roadshow filming and traveled to over 100 cities.

David Lackey’s lecture on Antiques, Porcelain, Pottery, and Glass will be held Thursday May 12th at the McFaddin-Ward Visitor Center, located at 1906 Calder in Beaumont. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The lecture starts at 6:30. The lecture is free, but seating is limited to the first 90 people who arrive.

 

 

Lecture: “Making Heads & Telling Tales”

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Join us for  a very special lecture, as we kick off our 2015 Lecture Series at the museum.

On Thursday, January 29th, Amanda Danning will join us. A forensic sculptor specializing in historic facial reconstructions, she has worked in collaboration with more than thirty museums, including several projects with the Smithsonian Institution.

Her talk will weave science and art in a unique and provocative way to tell a dynamic story you won’t forget.

This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the lecture beginning at 6:30.
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Diverse and dynamic lineup of guest lectures for 2015

Here at the museum, we work hard to bring you lectures that are both fascinating and educational. Last year, we had talks over the business of wine in Napa Valley, duck hunting, the early days of Beaumont, art forgeries, and the gardens at Monticello.

This year, our 2015 Lecture Series is also shaping up to be yet another exciting year.

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On January 29th, we welcome forensic sculptor Amanda Danning, who will kick off the series. Danning has gained international recognition as a forensic sculptor, having been commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution for reconstructions of Jamestown settlers, Buffalo Soldiers, ancient Paleo-Americans, and many others. Dr. Douglas Owsley of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History says, “It is rare to find someone whose work can help interpret and bring to life the past for so many people.” Danning’s work is on display at the NMNH and more than thirty U.S. museums. She’ll be giving her talk “Making Heads and Telling Tales” on January 29th.

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On March 19th, the man with the best job in Texas will be here; Daniel Vaughn is the Barbecue Editor for Texas Monthly, and he’ll share the history of barbecue in the Lone Star State.

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Roger Wood, a retired college professor and author of three acclaimed books on zydeco music, will be here on May 7th. “Lone Star Lala: Texas and Zydeco Music” is his fascinating talk, and he’ll share the unique role of southeast Texas in the shaping of this beloved genre of music.

 

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And on October 22nd, a name familiar to many of you will round out our list of lectures. Carey Maloney, an award-winning architect and designer, will talk about his approach to design and the culture of “stuff.”

It’s an eclectic list, to be sure, but one we think will interest a broad audience and further our goal of educating and enlightening southeast Texans. Join us next year for one–or all—of these lectures!

Lecture: “Early Beaumont”

Many of us know the story behind the Lucas Gusher at Spindletop, the event that changed the history of Beaumont forever, and pushed the city into the 20th century.

But the town of Beaumont was born on the thickly wooded banks of the Neches River nearly a hundred years before that day in January 1901.

Join us September 18th, as Rob Blain joins us to talk about his new book Early Beaumont. A native son of Beaumont—educated at both Beaumont High and Lamar University—Blain’s new book is the latest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular “Images of America” series.

In his talk at the McFaddin-Ward House, Blain will detail the story of those early days in Beaumont, from the settlers at Tevis Bluff, to that infamous oil gusher, on through the second Spindletop in 1925; all events that ushered in a new era in southeast Texas, and the building of a gracious city.

As always, this lecture is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the talk begins at 6:30. A reception will follow, along with an opportunity to buy signed copies of Early Beaumont. Call (409) 832-1906 for more information.

Free Lecture: Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden

The McFaddin-Ward House is excited to bring Peter Hatch to Beaumont, TX. With 38 years of experience in the restoration and care of historic landscapes, Mr. Hatch spent 35 years as the Director of Gardens and Grounds at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate  in Virginia. While there, he was responsible for the maintenance, interpretation, and conservation of its 2,400 acre landscape. He has written a total of four books about the “revolutionary” garden, including his latest A Rich Spot of Earth.

Along with his time at Monticello, Hatch’s impressive background includes consulting on public and private gardens and estate landscapes, including his work as an advisor on the White House’s kitchen garden.

You won’t want to miss this chance to hear an expert in horticulture offer his unique perspective on gardens and grounds!

It starts at 6:30 pm at the McFaddin-Ward House Lecture Hall on Thursday, May 8th. It is completely free and open to the public.

Call (409) 832-1906 for more information!

Free Lecture on Amizetta Wine

Join us for an exciting lecture featuring Perry McFaddin Clark , general manager of Amizetta Vineyards!

perry-profilePerry McFaddin Clark earned his undergraduate degree from University of California at Davis in Viticulture and Enology and a MBA from the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis. During college, Perry spent his summers working at Sterling Vineyards and Louis Martini Winery. These internships helped him gain a better understanding of how the “bigger” wineries operated. After completing his degrees, he spent two years working in financial services with Blackstone Funds in New York City. Perry has since taken his wide breath of work experience and focused his attentions back at the family winery as the general manager. 

Fakes and Forgeries in the Art Market

Join us for an exciting evening with Meredith Meuwly to learn about Fakes and Forgeries in the art market!

Meredith earned her Bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies and Art History from Duke University in 2000, and a Master’s degree in Modern Art, Connoisseurship, and the History of the Art Market from Christie’s Education in New York in 2001. She spent the next five years in the Christie’s New York Antiquities Department as sale coordinator and cataloguer of ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Near Eastern works of art. During her time at Christie’s, she worked on numerous high profile auctions including the Doris Duke Estate, Ancient Egyptian Art from the Harer Family Trust, and the John W. Kluge Morven Collection of Ancient Art.

Meredith joined Heritage Auctions in 2007 as Senior Consignment Director in the Fine & Decorative Arts Department, overseeing two auctions each year. In January 2010, she became the Director of Appraisal Services, preparing formal appraisals for more than 35 specialist categories.

In addition to her duties at Heritage, Meredith participates as an appraiser for the Antiques Roadshow on PBS, specializing in Glass, Silver, and Decorative Arts. Meredith is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers, serving on the Fine Art committee. She is also a board member of the Foundation for Appraisal Education.