Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum
Take a step back in time to 1901 during the discovery of Spindletop - an event that would forever change the oil industry in Texas. At the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, visitors can tour a replica of what that boomtown city used to be like in the early 20th century. Travelers can take a tour of the "city" - including a visit to the local barber shop, and printing shop and saloon, among other places. Reenactments and vintage baseball games are just some of the activities patrons can enjoy.
Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum is located at 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for children age 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. For more information, visit www.spindletop.org.
McFaddin-Ward House
Built in 1906 by local architect Henry Conrad Mauer, the McFaddin-Ward House Museum reflects the lifestyle of the prominent family who lived in the home 75 years ago. The house has a distinct Beaux-Arts Colonial style and was one of the grand residences built in Beaumont during the early 20th century after the Spindletop oil boom.
Along with tours of the home and carriage house tours, visitors can enjoy a unique history lesson on their visit. Various programs are offered for adults such as Victory Gardening, where participants can learn how to start an organic garden, and Remember When, which takes visitors back to the 1940s. Plenty of interactive programs are also available for children.
The McFaddin-Ward House Museum is located at 1906 Calder Ave. Tours are available at various times Tuesdays through Saturdays for $3, or Sunday afternoons for free. For more information, visit http://mcfaddin-ward.org/.
John Jay French Museum
Built in 1845, the John Jay French Home is the oldest house in Beaumont. The home has been restored to its original state and is one of the first two-story houses built in the city. Today the museum offers plenty of learning opportunities with its four-day summer camp and various courses where children can get a hands-on take of life during the 1800s - from making butter and biscuits from scratch to learning about life before the camera.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for students. The John Jay French Museum is located at 3025 French Road. For more information about the museum, visit www.jjfrench.com.
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