This March, the McFaddin-Ward House is set to host its third annual SOAR celebration, a month-long vibrant display of butterflies throughout the outdoor gardens that will feature several special events beginning with the admission-free SOAR Family Day on Sunday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the museum’s grounds (1906 McFaddin Ave.) in Beaumont.
Built in 1905-1906 in the distinctive Beaux-Arts Colonial style, the McFaddin-Ward House reflects the lifestyle of the prominent family which lived in the house for 75 years. The museum features admission-free tours, educational programming, year-round events, a Carriage House exhibit and gardens.
SOAR Family Day will include family activities, live music performances by “Fire & Rain” and “Crossroads Band,” food trucks, picnicking on the grounds, garden and butterfly related crafts, local artist Butterfly Garden display, butterfly ride-on bikes, the Houston Museum of Natural Science Bug Cart, booths from All Saints Episcopal School, Beaumont Botanical Gardens, Big Thicket National Preserve, Magnolia Garden Club, Moore Honey, Sabine-Neches Texas Master Naturalists and Tyrrell Park Nature Center, and more. Adding to the festive springtime spirit, a colorful outdoor installation of soaring butterflies will be on display throughout the grounds all month long.
“Engagement with our community is at the core of the museum’s mission,” said Bel Morian, director of public programming Bel Morian. “SOAR provides a delightful platform to welcome visitors to the historic site to enjoy a day filled with colorful visuals, interesting activities, delicious foods, and fantastic music. The event continues to grow and support the vision of the McFaddin-Ward House which is to inspire an appreciation for history, the arts, education, and civic involvement.”
New SOAR offerings during March will be SOAR Saturdays, which feature live piano music played on the McFaddin-Ward House baby grand piano during admission-free tours of the historic home on March 8, 15, 22 and 29, and SOAR Ceramics porcelain painting classes held in the museum Visitor Center on March 8, 15 and 22 from 9-11 a.m. SOAR Ceramics participants will be provided all materials to paint a small butterfly dish. Cost per participant is $25. Registration is required at (409) 832-2134. Reservation deadline is Feb. 17.
“SOAR Ceramics will explore the delightful lost art of porcelain painting, which was a cherished pastime once enjoyed by Ida and Mamie McFaddin,” Morian said. “Our Collection includes a 110-piece dinner service painted by Ida painted in 1912 and a pastel Art Nouveau tea set painted by Mamie circa 1907.”
According to Sarah Parker, MWH communications/marketing manager, SOAR was developed with the intention of becoming an annual spring event for which the museum would be known.
“Deeping connections and engagement with our local community is an important part of the museum’s vision, and SOAR provides us with a unique opportunity to achieve this goal through a festive community celebration of spring,” said Parker. “SOAR Family Day is the perfect time to visit the McFaddin-Ward House because the event truly has something for everyone, and the fun is open to all ages. You can ride a butterfly bike or spread out of the lawn with your lunch to listen to a live band or join in the festive activities like face painting or our new ‘Mac the Caterpillar’ Community Art Project.”
The month-long celebration will also include an admission-free “Music at the McFaddins’” event featuring “The Stringbenders,” a Houston-based group performing a mix of country, rock-n-roll and Zydeco-style music, on Friday, March 28. Gates open at 6 p.m. with music beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the McFaddin-Ward House lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and refreshments for a great evening of live entertainment.
“The return of our popular Music at the McFaddins’ series on March 28 will be the perfect close to the month’s activities,” said Parker. “Our outdoor music events always promise a good time, and with their dynamic mix of country, classic rock, Tex-Mex and Cajun spice, The Stringbenders’ are sure to have a style everyone can enjoy.”
Jennifer Lowrance, director of educational programming, explained that families are the backbone of the community and spending time together creating and learning something new builds great memories for children and families.
“Educational activities promote awareness of taking care of important pollinators like butterflies,” said Lowrance. “At SOAR , we have many craft and activity opportunities for children of all ages to enjoy, including making wildflower seed bombs and learning about flowers that feed butterflies. Create your own unique butterfly crown, string together a caterpillar necklace, and search high and low on the grounds to complete a scavenger hunt for a prize. Run and play on the lawn to the live music and enjoy the lawn games. For our youngest, we have Bingo dot butterflies to create and pom pom caterpillars to assemble! See how brave you are and ‘touch a bug’ with our Houston Museum of Natural Science.”
In case of inclement weather, SOAR Family Day and “Music at the McFaddins’” will be cancelled. For more information, call (409) 832-2134 or visit mcfaddin-ward.org.