Butterflies will take center stage at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum when the historic Beaumont landmark opens its gates to families for the fourth annual SOAR Family Day on Sunday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free, community-wide event will transform the museum grounds at 1906 McFaddin Ave. into a springtime celebration of nature, creativity and learning. Designed with families in mind, SOAR Family Day offers a full afternoon of butterfly-themed fun, from garden-inspired crafts and ride-on butterfly bikes to live performance artists and the popular Bugs on Wheels program from the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Guests can also explore the Butterfly Art Garden display by a local artist while enjoying live music by Ward, Pierce and Steinman.
Food trucks will be on site throughout the day, or attendees may choose to spread out a picnic on the lawn and soak in the music and activities.
A wide range of community partners and exhibitors will be present, including All Saints Episcopal School, Beaumont Botanical Gardens, Beaumont Heritage Society, Beaumont Independent School District, Magnolia Garden Club, Houston Audubon, Sea Rim State Park, Texas Master Naturalists – Sabine-Neches Chapter, Tyrrell Park Nature Center, Village Creek State Park and the W.H. Stark House Museum, among others.
New this year, visitors are invited to take part in a hands-on community art project – painting butterfly wings that will become part of the SOAR Butterfly Art Garden. Volunteers from the Kind Kaygan Foundation will guide participants, and the completed wings will remain on display throughout March. Adding to the seasonal flair, a colorful outdoor installation of soaring butterflies will decorate the gardens all month long.
“SOAR Family Day reflects our belief that history, nature and creativity are intertwined and best experienced together – and that meaningful connections begin when a community gathers,” said Jeffrey Richardson, executive director of the McFaddin-Ward House Museum. “We look forward to welcoming you and your family to the McFaddin-Ward House Museum for a fun and informative day on the grounds.”
The museum’s spring offerings continue later in the month with Music at the McFaddins, an admission-free outdoor concert featuring Houston-based band The Stringbenders. The group will perform a lively mix of country, rock-n-roll and Zydeco-style music Friday, March 27. Gates open at 6 p.m., with music beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the McFaddin-Ward House lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments.
Both SOAR Family Day and Music at the McFaddins will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Completed in 1906, the McFaddin-Ward House is a fully restored Beaux-Arts Colonial-style mansion and a Beaumont historic landmark. The museum offers free tours of the historic home, carriage house and gardens, along with educational programs and events throughout the year.
For more information, call (409) 832-2134 or visit mcfaddin-ward.org.