The North Bedroom aesthetic is a stark contrast to the other bedrooms and experienced the most change of all the rooms on the second floor. The bedroom was added in 1907 by enclosing two small service rooms and a small porch at the rear of the back hall on the second floor. Henry Conrad Mauer, original architect, designed the renovation. It's assumed that Ida wanted her young boys close to her as this was their bedroom until about 1912, at which time they moved to the third floor.
The bedroom transitioned to W.P.H.'s dressing room. By utilizing this space W.P.H. wouldn't wake a sleeping Ida when he left for the McFaddin's ranch early in the morning. After W.P.H.'s passing in 1935, Carroll Ward used the room as his dressing room. Then, after his passing in 1961 Mamie invited long-time staff member Cecelia Smith to live in the space so they could look after one another in old age.
The aesthetic is more about functionality instead of popular decorating styles of the times.
Floor 2 Second floor of the McFaddin-Ward House Museum
North Bedroom
General Audience
The North Bedroom aesthetic is a stark contrast to the other bedrooms and experienced the most change of all the rooms on the second floor. The bedroom was added in 1907 by enclosing two small service rooms and a small porch at the rear of the back hall on the second floor. Henry Conrad Mauer, original architect, designed the renovation. It's assumed that Ida wanted her young boys close to her as this was their bedroom until about 1912, at which time they moved to the third floor.
The bedroom transitioned to W.P.H.'s dressing room. By utilizing this space W.P.H. wouldn't wake a sleeping Ida when he left for the McFaddin's ranch early in the morning. After W.P.H.'s passing in 1935, Carroll Ward used the room as his dressing room. Then, after his passing in 1961 Mamie invited long-time staff member Cecelia Smith to live in the space so they could look after one another in old age.
The aesthetic is more about functionality instead of popular decorating styles of the times.
North Bedroom Bath
The bathroom and closet for the North Bedroom were added in 1912, designed by Henry Conrad Mauer when it's believed the McFaddin boys moved to the third floor. This bathroom is the only one with no bathtub. Instead, there is a six jet shower and a foot bath. General Audience Tour
(Home Feature)
The bathroom and closet for the North Bedroom were added in 1912, designed by Henry Conrad Mauer when it's believed the McFaddin boys moved to the third floor. This bathroom is the only one with no bathtub. Instead, there is a six jet shower and a foot bath.
Painting
This painting by artist Estelle Avritt ca. 1930 marks a moment in history that forever changed not only the McFaddin family but the entire nation.
Spindletop Hill was located on land owned by the Beaumont Pasture Company of which W.P.H. was part owner. McFaddin and others in Beaumont quickly organized an oil company after the Lucas well hit oil on January 10, 1901, while still managing his other agricultural pursuits. The profits from oil were extraordinary for area landowners when oil was found.
Oil discoveries in Texas revolutionized American transportation and industry, created entire new fields of study, and created communities and jobs. Texas transitioned from a rural state to an urban state as workers relocated to the cities where oil was drilled and refined. Texas gained national importance as it became an economic force.
General Audience Tour
(Object/Artifact)
This painting by artist Estelle Avritt ca. 1930 marks a moment in history that forever changed not only the McFaddin family but the entire nation.
Spindletop Hill was located on land owned by the Beaumont Pasture Company of which W.P.H. was part owner. McFaddin and others in Beaumont quickly organized an oil company after the Lucas well hit oil on January 10, 1901, while still managing his other agricultural pursuits. The profits from oil were extraordinary for area landowners when oil was found.
Oil discoveries in Texas revolutionized American transportation and industry, created entire new fields of study, and created communities and jobs. Texas transitioned from a rural state to an urban state as workers relocated to the cities where oil was drilled and refined. Texas gained national importance as it became an economic force.
Object Details:
Rectangular painting of gushing oil well in molded gilt frame.
circa 1930
Wardrobe
The extending racks in the wardrobe made planning for the work week easy. All suit pieces needed for the week were placed in the desired order. The piece was manufactured by Berkey & Gay Furniture, Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan then purchased by the McFaddins from the B. Deutser Furniture Company in Beaumont.
General Audience Tour
(Object/Artifact)
The extending racks in the wardrobe made planning for the work week easy. All suit pieces needed for the week were placed in the desired order. The piece was manufactured by Berkey & Gay Furniture, Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan then purchased by the McFaddins from the B. Deutser Furniture Company in Beaumont.
Object Details:
Double doors, automatically extending clothes racks, 12 finished drawers and compartments, adjustable mirror inside left door.
1906, Grand Rapids, MI
Pocket Watch
The pocket watch displayed in the North Bedroom was a Christmas gift from Ida to her husband, William Perry Herring McFaddin. The watch is highly customized, with an engraving of Ida's name and her likeness depicted as the clock's face. The watch even holds a lock of her hair!
The Victorian era saw a drastic change in the way marriage was viewed between men and women, focusing more on mutual affection and companionship rather than business and propriety. Giving your significant other a lock of your hair was a sign of a deep, intimate bond, so it is clear Ida thought fondly of her husband.
General Audience Tour
(Object/Artifact)
The pocket watch displayed in the North Bedroom was a Christmas gift from Ida to her husband, William Perry Herring McFaddin. The watch is highly customized, with an engraving of Ida's name and her likeness depicted as the clock's face. The watch even holds a lock of her hair!
The Victorian era saw a drastic change in the way marriage was viewed between men and women, focusing more on mutual affection and companionship rather than business and propriety. Giving your significant other a lock of your hair was a sign of a deep, intimate bond, so it is clear Ida thought fondly of her husband.
Object Details:
Pocket watch, depicting photograph of Ida Caldwell McFaddin on face, with "Perry McFaddin" (nickname for WPH McFaddin) in place of the clock numbers. "Ida" engraved on front exterior. The back holds a lock of Ida's hair, as the watch was a gift to her husband, Perry.
North Bedroom
