VIEWPOINTS McFADDIN-WARD HOUSE
September 2015 Vol. 31/No. 4
Thoughts about the heat in Southeast Texas BY ARLENE CHRISTIANSEN Recent temperatures in Sutheast Texas have soared into the triple digits. Our cars aren’t much better. We are such a spoiled group of people in this country; we can hardly walk from the car to a building without air conditioning. When I was growing up, we lived in a twostory house in Port Arthur with no air conditioners at all — just a huge window fan (about 60 inches across). It was in the kitchen in a huge opening made especially for that purpose. At night we would raise the windows about two or three inches and the fan would almost pull the sheets off of the bed. My mother planted night-blooming jasmine under the windows; the fan pulled that scent in and it went all over the house. I can still remember how it smelled. The school I went to didn’t have air conditioning; I don’t even remember fans there. Somehow, though, I don’t recall ever being hot in class. I was hot when we were outside playing kickball or softball, but not once I got inside. The stores weren’t cooled either, and the first time I went to an air conditioned movie I got really cold. Being a small child, I was acclimated to the heat, and the cool air in the theater
See THOUGHTS, page 4
THE MCFADDINS AND EDUCATION BY JUDY LINSLEY From generation to generation, the McFaddin family has valued education highly. Patriarch William McFaddin received very little formal education, because his school years were spent in frontier Texas in the 1820s, when almost no schools existed. That lack of schooling made him even more determined to see his children educated, however, and he brought in tutors who boarded with him and his wife Rachel, conducting school in their home. After his home tutoring, William’s son William Perry Herring McFaddin, born in 1856, went on to Texas Military Institute and finished up with business courses at Jones Commercial College in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1890, a hardworking rancher and businessman with a young family, W.P.H. still found time to serve on the Beaumont School District Board. W.P.H.’s wife, Ida Caldwell McFaddin, was also a firm believer in a good education; and together the two made sure their children received the best education possible. Mamie McFaddin, born in December of 1895, attended Belle Austin Institute, a “select school,” according to the 1909 Beaumont Directory, offering “intermediate high school and seminary grades.” About the time Mamie entered first grade, Miss Austin moved her school into the brand-new Oaks Hotel, conveniently located across the street from the McFaddin home at 1316 Calder. Brother Perry, born February 1897, also attended Belle Austin. Caldwell, born in April 1901, began his education about 1905 in the Misses Cahn’s Kindergarten, located at 1196 Broadway and run by two sisters. In spite of its name, the school went through seventh grade; Miss Isabelle taught kindergarten, while Miss Rosalie taught the primary grades. Mamie probably attended Belle Austin until
Mamie McFaddin and friends in a dorm room at Gunston Hall.
the fall of 1909, when she went away to Gunston Hall, a girls’ finishing school in Washington, D.C. Many well-fixed Beaumonters sent their daughters to finishing school, and Ida herself had gone to Mary Baldwin Seminary in Staunton, Virginia. Mamie would be exposed to East Coast culture and be near Ida’s family home in West Virginia. Besides, her childhood friend, Tassie
See EDUCATION, page 3
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-- Director’s Desk --
‘VISITOR-CENTERED’ By ALLEN LEA
In a day when many museums are hurting for visitors, many of them change their exhibits or have special ticketed events in order to attract new patrons. But after traveling around the state for the past few years, I began to realize that a huge portion of the general public is not what you’d call regular “Museum goers.” So, we at the McFaddin-Ward House made it our mission to get those people to the museum, make them like it and make them return again. And it worked! The younger generations want to be outside, want to be entertained, want to interact with each other, and want their experience to be inexpensive or even free. Since we have become more visitor-centered, we’ve brought in people who would otherwise never come here, and even better than that, they’re coming back! Collaboration between other nonprofits and educational venues is another avenue that we use; it not only helps increase traffic, it raises awareness for all included institutions. Over the past two years, we have held outdoor public picnics, partnering with local bands, food trucks and artists.
We even host a monthly Yoga that we call “Mondays at the Museum” on the main house lawn. And we have free movie nights during the latter half of the year. We have gained a new respect and following and it just keeps growing, so much so that occasionally we run out of parking, reach max building capacity and sadly have to turn people away due to fire codes. Our yearly lecture series has also been among our most popular events. We cater to those in the local community who want to learn in an enjoyable, informal environment by offering free, and most importantly interesting, lectures, talks and discussion panels. It also helps that all of our amazing volunteers busily create décor, floral arrangements and tasty treats for each event. Our volunteers are our most valued (and coveted) resource, so we even host special events as a thank you to them. With 2016 quickly coming upon us, we are busy planning the next slate of events to attract both new and returning visitors to the museum, and we always welcome them. The McFaddin-Ward House is a well-oiled machine and the staff and vol-
The picnic is one of many events at the museum that encourages the community to use our grounds as a public space.
unteers are welcoming, knowledgeable and gracious. No wonder so many people who enter our doors as guests leave as friends.
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Education Continued from page 1 Polk, was already at Gunston Hall. Enough Texas girls attended to justify a “Texas Club” on campus. Even with the comfort of Tassie and the many friends she made, Mamie missed her home and family. In 1910, when Ida, who came up with her, returned to Texas on the train, an already-homesick Mamie wrote in her diary, “sure did hate to see her go.” Home for Christmas, she remarked “sure was glad to get here;” and on her return to school in January, “sure did hate to go — nearly died,” followed by “thought of home all day” a few days later. On her small diary calendar, she wrote “school” over each month from October through May, and wrote “glorious” over June, July, August, and most of September. Gunston Hall students took the basics — English, History, Mathematics, Science, and Latin; the school also offered broader courses: Italian, German, Spanish, every sort of music skill, fencing, dancing, handicrafts, and even economics. Required “physical culture” classes and afternoon walks reflected the current awareness of the benefits of exercise. Although she didn’t go in for athletics (though she once kept score at a basketball game), Mamie played on the tennis team. Young ladies at Gunston Hall received extensive cultural and social training. Sometimes they attended the Washington Symphony. Occasionally they were invited to a Sunday afternoon reception at one of the grand embassies on Massachusetts Avenue. They wore their nicest daytime outfits, including hats and gloves, of course. After the butler, dressed in livery, received them at the door and a maid took their wraps, the girls entered a receiving line, where the butler announced them. They then heard a musical concert in the ballroom and adjourned to the dining room for introductions and refreshments. Years later, Mamie fondly recalled these special events, saying they couldn’t have been “more perfect.” The 1912 Bachelor Girl, the Gunston Hall yearbook, highlights Mamie’s memberships in Kappa Delta Sorority, the German Club, the Texas Club, and the Wanderers (an unidentified group dressed in what appear to be bedsheets). The “Familiar Expressions” section reveals Mamie’s fondness for saying “Heavens, Maude!” while a cryptic entry reads “Lost —By Mamie McFaddin, a fine case of meningitis.”
Mamie and Perry Jr. at Belle Austin School, ca. 1902. Clues to her personality lie in interesting autographs left by friends in her school scrapbook: “Mamie has many troubles but most of them never happen”; “Oh you of the soft hair”; “She stayed up one night till four o’clock to beat me out. It’s just like her”; “Best dancer in school”; and “To the sweetest of the Sweet.” Mamie came home for good from Gunston Hall sometime in 1912. Judging by postcards she received, it’s possible that illness forced her to leave. Given her feelings about being away, she might not have minded too much anyway. Both Perry and Caldwell attended Beaumont High School, located at that time downtown on College and Neches streets. In
Caldwell, second from right, and teacher Mary Campbell at Beaumont High School in 1915.
those days, students went for eleven, not twelve years, typically graduating at the age of 16 or 17. Perry graduated in 1913, enrolling that fall at Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, — now Rice University — a college that had opened in 1912 in Houston, Texas. At that time it was far from downtown — students had to travel an unpaved road to the campus and go through two cattle gates. Perry graduated from Rice in the spring of 1917, just after the U.S. entry into World War I. Just a few months later, Caldwell entered Rice, after his graduation from Beaumont High in the spring of 1917 as valedictorian of his class. Soon after, the U.S. government established the Students’ Army Training Corps at a number of colleges, Rice included. Caldwell attended an ROTC training camp in Illinois in the summer of 1918 and narrowly avoided being drafted as a commissioned officer. The war ended in November 1918, negating the need for more young men in the military. After graduating from Rice in 1921, Caldwell immediately went on to get his degree from Harvard Law School. Education dominated the growing-up years of Mamie, Perry, and Caldwell McFaddin. Both in duration and in quality, their schooling surpassed that of most young Americans of that era. When they became adults, their learning served them well; the museum archives bear witness to their intellectual ability and communications skill. In addition, their deeds and legacies stand as proof that they carried on the McFaddin family tradition of valuing and supporting education.
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Thoughts Continued from page 1 seemed strange. Of course, now is a different story; if the air went out I would probably die. I don’t remember when we first got air conditioning at home, but it must have been in the late 50s or early 60s. The McFaddin-Ward House, like most homes in this area, was built with southfacing openings in most rooms to take advantage of the breezes coming from the Gulf. Early on, there were also numerous ceiling fans in the house, especially in the kitchen, sun porch, music room, and breakfast room on the first floor, and the sleeping porch and blue, green and north bedrooms on the second. Mrs. McFaddin had a window unit in the master bedroom as early as 1938. Units were added to other rooms in 1940 and 1948 with the “central” system (which only cooled two bedrooms) added to the pink bedroom in 1952 and to the master bedroom not long afterward. When the bulk of the “living” was going on at the McFaddin home in the early part of the 20th century, there were only the ceiling fans. It’s hard to fathom how the ladies who were covered from head to foot in ungainly undergarments, stockings, and heavy dresses were able to stand the heat. I’ve heard that Ida and Mamie’s daily facial toilette consisted of closing their pores with ice to keep their skin looking youthful. I’ll bet in the summer time they used the ice partly just to keep cool. The domestic employees had it much worse than the McFaddins, of course. It took a lot of hard physical labor to run such a large house and yard. And then there was the cook in the kitchen baking, roasting, and frying three meals a day every day — and if the cook was Louis Lemon, doing it all on a wood stove that continuously radiated heat. Back when we lived without air conditioning, we didn’t seem to notice the heat; but once we got used to cool air, did we ever notice it. For my part, the older I get, the more it bothers me. I’ve always said that the inventor of the air conditioner and the TV remote can be blamed for the downfall of this nation. These two items have turned most of us into air-conditioning dependent couch potatoes. The McFaddins and their employees were made of tougher stuff. I wonder what they would think of us?
Busy having a good time For a lot of places, summer means slowing down and taking a few moments to rest and relax. The McFaddin-Ward House eschews that notion, with summer being one of the busiest seasons around. On top of regular tours and other scheduled events, the last week in July is our summer kids’ camp. The whole museum is abuzz with kids and fun and plenty of noise. These pictures capture just a few moments from this year’s camp, “Growing Up McFaddin.”
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Zachary Defrancis teaches campers the history and background of a popular pastime, badminton.
Experiences gained, memories made at summer internship BY ZACHARY DEFRANCIS As my summer internship draws to a close, now is a good time to look back at all I have learned and accomplished. Over the last ten weeks, I have created an exhibit, organized, indexed, and partially digitized a collection, inventoried part of the house, conducted historical research, and aided in educational programming for the museum. To say the least, it has been a very busy ten weeks, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the museum and am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about museum work. For as long as I can remember, I have found history to be an interesting subject. I remember sitting in class in third grade, learning about the history of Port Arthur and Southeast Texas. Everyone else seemed bored, but I found a genuine interest in it. As I grew, so did my love for history as I learned more not only about our unique local history, but about U.S. history and world history as well. This interest led me to become a history major at Lamar University and, ultimately, to this wonderful internship. While at the McFaddin-Ward House, I have learned about and experienced the many aspects of museum work. With Judy Linsley, Curator of Interpretation and Education, I
learned about the historical research process, the museum’s archives, and education outreach. With Sam Daleo, Curator of Collections, I learned about preservation and the museum’s vast collection. With Michelle Cate, Registrar, I learned even more in-depth information about the house and collections and also how to arrange and digitize a collection. Of course, I have worked with many other of the museum’s staff members to learn even more about the house and museum work in general. The main project I have been working on all summer focuses on an individual closely involved with the story of the museum who is often overlooked: Henry Conrad Mauer. Mauer is the noted Beaumont architect who designed and built the McFaddin-Ward House and many other recognizable houses and buildings all over the Golden Triangle. Personally, I find that among the most interesting aspects of history are the buildings and architecture that formed the backdrop of both famous events and everyday life, so this project was right up my alley. From the start, I looked at this project with a wide scope. Mauer designed this beautiful home, but he also designed many other architecturally important buildings in the area and I wanted to be sure to include a wide selection of
Mauer’s buildings in my exhibit. The exhibit, titled “Builder of Beaumont: The Life and Work of Henry Conrad Mauer” covers Mauer’s life and a selection of his works that are still standing. Though the scope of this exhibit falls slightly outside of the usual museum interpretation, I believe that it will be useful in bringing attention to Mauer, the museum, and the many historic buildings of Beaumont. I have had a wonderful time working at the McFaddin-Ward House. Since I’ve been in high school, it has been my dream to work in a museum; now I can see that my dream can become a reality. The experience I have gained at the museum will surely come in handy in the future as I try to find my way into the field. Above all else, I have enjoyed my time here and made many unforgettable memories. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to show my talents and gain valuable experience in the field. I also want to thank all of the museum staff for their politeness and constant help throughout this whole experience. Lastly, I would like to thank all of the volunteers at the museum who give their time to this wonderful place. I have learned a great deal from everyone and for that I am truly thankful.
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Viewpoints from the Visitor Center By BECKY FERTITTA
The summer months at the McFaddin-Ward House have always been more than a little bit about children (teens included) than adults. You rarely have bus groups of senior adults out sightseeing in 95-degree temps. We do have quite a few families with children stopping in while on vacation or grandmothers and grandfathers dropping in for a tour — they’re helping out with the kids during the summer while mom and dad are working. Summer is also when we train our junior interpreters, teenagers who study to become museum tour guides. And because teens are out of school in the summer, we capitalize on that availability and schedule JIs to give tours during the month of July. Our teen volunteers also assist with other activities, like the McFaddin-Ward House summer camp. This kid-friendly event is not like most other camps, though. Our camp is three days of fun-filled learning and activities, with the same 24 children attending every day. We offer camp once during the summer, and then all the grown-ups involved REST!
Docent Melissa Campbell, in green, shows camp counselors (from left) Katy Moorehouse, Noel Smith, and Christina Abel, how to cut out pennants from felt.
During this year’s summer camp in July, our junior interpreters — 10 to 11 of them each day — jumped right in to be hands-on with our campers, sharing in the fun but working to keep activities on track and the program running smoothly. In the background were the adult volunteers who, after assisting with months-long planning and preparation, pitched in to help. And they helped in so many ways, with presentations, leading activities, setting up, cleaning up, even preparing food for the campers! So many thanks to all of the volunteers, adult and junior, who made this year’s summer camp the best ever: Christina Abel, Laura Assunto, John Ayres, Melissa Campbell, Karen Chapman, Joyce Gaskin, Sarah Gerstenberg, Lisa Hitt, Lyndia King, Fran Landry, Linda Martin, Priscilla Rouse, Barbara Smith, Sylvia Luquette, George Ann LaGrappe, Denavia Barabin, Jacob Gerstenberg, Anna Gerstenberg, Julianne Haidusek, Valerie Hill, Karah Jackson, Zoe Mabry, Katy Moorhouse, and Noel Smith. The summer of 2015 was a very active one for the McFaddin-Ward House
Volunteer Service Council (VSC) as well. The Social/Hospitality committee of the VSC has been front and center with preparations for the receptions that followed two excellent lectures in July and August. Committee leaders Laura Assunto (chair) and Kim Williams (co-chair), along with other volunteers, made it possible for the museum to provide lovely refreshments for guests at the lectures and have beautiful table arrangements for decoration. The committee also organized the VSC meeting in July, where volunteers brought delicious homemade food to share and had a great time trying to learn some vintage dances with Ballroom dance teacher Rebecca Woodland. The volunteers will again be on hand, working hard and making it look easy, when the museum hosts additional lectures in September and October. The museum staff enjoys working events with the volunteers — they make everything seem like play instead of work! Many thanks to all the McFaddin-Ward House volunteers, adult and teenage, for your interest and participation in the activities and programs the museum provides.
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VIEWPOINTS
The McFADDIN-WARD HOUSE
McFADDIN-WARD HOUSE
Historic House Museum
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID BEAUMONT, TX PERMIT NO. 271
725 North Third Street BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77701-1629 Return Service Requested
Vol. 31, No. 4 September 2015 Published quarterly for volunteers of the McFaddin-Ward House and others interested in cultural and educational aspects of the museum. (409) 832-1906, office (409) 832-2134, visitor center www.mcfaddin-ward.org 2013 Press Club of Southeast Texas Excellence in Media Award winner for Best Newsletter
www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums
Events Calendar Thursday, September 10 Free Movie Night: “Rebel Without A Cause” Lecture Hall 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 15 Community Picnic & Outdoor Movie Main House 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 8 Free Movie Night: “Teenagers from Outer Space” Lecture Hall 6:30 p.m.
Monday, September 7 Labor Day Staff Holiday Monday, October 26 VSC General Meeting
Thursday, September 17 Lecture: “Noble Vines (A Tasting)” Lecture Hall 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 28 Mondays at the Museum East Lawn 6:45 p.m.
Volunteer Calendar
Monday, November 9 MWH Book Club Lecture Hall 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 16 Volunteer Bus Trip
Thursday, October 22 Lecture: “Stuff, with Carey Maloney” Lecture Hall 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 28 Junior Interpreter Guide Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 Christmas Photo Opportunity Noon – 4 p.m. Main House
Wednesday, December 2 Volunteer Christmas Preview Visitor Center 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.