Tyrrell Historical Library Offers Workshop

As you may know, the McFaddin-Ward House Museum staff is gearing up for the weekend of April 13-15, 2012, to raise awareness about the "Old Town" neighborhood, one of Beaumont's oldest communities.

Interested parties have been asked to participate by researching and writing the "story" of their own home, which they would post on a sign in their yard. These homes would be featured in neighborhood tours during the weekend.

We are still on the look-out for more homes to spolight, and Bill Grace, Branch Manager at the Tyrrell Historical Library, wants YOU to become one of this year’s Preservation Celebration researchers!

The organization, along with The McFaddin-Ward House Museum, the Beaumont Heritage Society, and the Chambers House Museum, are asking all interested researchers to dig into Tyrrell’s new archive offerings Saturday, March 3, 2012.

The event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, is a free workshop designed to give historians an inside look at how to navigate the library’s Web site and hard copy collections. Reservations are not required, but are encouraged due to materials provided.

Here are just a few of the resources available:

• Permanent Collections
• Historical Research
• Digital Portal Web-site
• BPLS Web-site
• Local History Archives
• Genealogy Collections
• Texas History, Biography and Fiction Collections
• Art Books and American History Collections
• Online Library Card Catalog
• Computer Genealogy Databases
• Historical Exhibits

Their new annex building has more than doubled their storage capacity for personal papers, business city records, civic and fraternal organizations, to name a few. Several of these resources, including indexes, general information, an online library catalog, and a direct link to the digital portal site, where scanned and fully described items from archival collection are available from the comfort of your home, via personal computer.

These latest additions make the workshop a perfect and convenient opportunity to begin your journey into the past!

Please contact Bill Grace at (409) 833-2759 to sign up and to obtain more details. For more information on the neighborhood project or any of the upcoming events, contact the McFaddin-Ward House Museum at (409) 832-1906.

Tyrrell Historical Library to Offer Workshop

The McFaddin-Ward House Museum's second open forum proved to be another success! The community is very enthusiastic about the research project and many have already signed up to participate. Just as in the first forum, attendees heard about events the museum is planning for the weekend of April 13-15, 2012, in order to raise awareness about what would have been the McFaddin's  neighborhood: the area between I-10 and Smart Street, and First and Eleventh Streets. They were then asked to participate by researching and writing the "story" of their own home, which they would post on a sign in their yard. These homes would be featured in neighborhood tours during the weekend.

During the forum, Bill Grace, Branch Manager at the Tyrrell Historical Library, offered to host two workshops where those interested in researching their homes could learn about the library's offerings and get acquainted with the archives. The first workshop is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, with a second opportunity on March 3, 2012 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. The workshops are free; however, reservations are appreciated. Please contact Bill Grace at (409) 832-2759 to sign up and to obtain more details.

We look forward to the potential this project has on raising awareness about this historic area, one of Beaumont's oldest neighborhoods. For more information on the project or any of the upcoming events, contact the museum at (409) 832-1906.

McFaddin-Ward House Museum Hosts Events to Inspire Residents to Preserve History

     On Thursday January 19, the McFaddin-Ward House hosted an "open forum" inviting Beaumont residents from the area between I-10 and Smart Street, and First and Eleventh Streets, to come and learn about exciting events the museum plans for April.


     Attendees heard about events the museum is planning for the weekend of April 13-15, 2012, to raise awareness about the neighborhood, one of Beaumont's oldest. They were then asked to participate by researching and writing the "story" of their own home, which they would post on a sign in their yard. These homes would be featured in neighborhood tours during the weekend.


     Other events that weekend include a program on April 13 at 10:00 a.m. by Richard Gachot, Lamar University Professor and Architectural Historian, who will discuss the evolution of Beaumont's neighborhoods and communities. That evening, McFaddin-Ward House will partner with the Chambers House Museum for a kickoff tour, where visitors can walk, bike, or drive their way through the designated neighborhood to see these wonderful old homes and read their "stories."


   On Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, the public is invited to a "Preservation Celebration" to celebrate the history that has been preserved in our town. There will be music, children's activities, museum tours, and more.


   If you live in this neighborhood but missed the first meeting, it's not too late to join us! On Thursday, January 26, the museum will hold another forum. Darlene Chodzinski, Director of Beaumont Heritage Society, Bill Grace, Branch Manager of the Tyrrell Historical Library, and Judy Linsley, Curator of Interpretation and Education at McFaddin-Ward House, will be there to provide guidance and insight into researching house histories.


    For more information on the project or the upcoming events, contact the McFaddin-Ward House Museum at (409) 832-1906, or email Judy Linsley at jlinsley@mcfaddin-ward.org.