"Our Town: Celebrating Christmas in the Neighborhood" is the historical interpretation of the McFaddin-Ward House Historic House Museum for Christmas 2012. The museum's curatorial staff work to select historical documentation and artifacts to portray what life was like for the McFaddins during the museum's era of interpretation--from the 1900s--1950. The Christmas exhibit will be on display through December 30, 2012. The McFaddin-Ward House was built in 1905-1906. The Beaux-Arts Colonial style home and its furnishings reflect the lifestyle of the prominent family that lived in the house for seventy-five years. For more information on the McFaddin-Ward House, follow the museum on Facebook or contact the museum at (409) 832-1906. Tours of the home are offered Tuesday through Friday and reservations are encouraged.

1. OUR TOWN: CELEBRATING
CHRISTMAS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
McFaddin-Ward House
Christmas Interpretation 2012

2. OUR TOWN:
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
“Homes, Churches, Hospitals, Jails All Celebrate Christmas”
“Beaumont’s 57,000, joined by the intangible spirit which pervades
Christmas, celebrated mutually Monday.” — Beaumont Journal,
December 25, 1933
During the first half of the twentieth century, Beaumont was a busy
community at Christmas. Even two world wars and a decade-long
Depression could not dampen the town’s holiday spirit. Each holiday
season brought a variety of events and activities, from caroling around
the city and holiday pageants to community Christmas trees and food
drives that enabled the poor to enjoy the holiday.
“Various groups of carolers will meet at the municipal Christmas tree
at 7 o’clock Christmas Eve and join in singing several Christmas
songs.” — Beaumont Enterprise, December 20, 1925
The McFaddins were active in their community, joining in the charita-
ble spirit of the season as well as the fun. Ida and Mamie worked close-
ly with their church and charitable organizations. Mamie personally
bought and wrapped gifts for the young girls at the Beaumont Day
Nursery. Both women also remembered their domestic employees,
office personnel, and even sales people with gifts at Christmas.

3. The Front Porch
The porch was an ideal spot for entertaining. In 1911 Ida and W.P.H.
gave a “porch dance” for Mamie, then 15, and her friend Leonora
Norvell.
“The merry throng danced out the Christmas season and welcomed
the New Year.” — Beaumont Enterprise, January 1, 1912
Beaumont homes and business were always decorated for the holi-
days. By the 1930s, colored outdoor lights were available to further
brighten the local scene. Ida and Mamie made sure that their home
was lighted up each Christmas.
“Glow of Soft-Colored Lights Illuminates Numerous Yards in City
As Result of Contest” — Beaumont Enterprise, December 20, 1936
“Tiny colored electric lights make your home a message of holiday
good wishes and cheer.” — Beaumont Journal, December 21, 1934

4. Entrance Hall
“In a hay-filled truck loaned them by Carroll Ward the girls and
boys [from the YMCA] rode down Calder Avenue caroling in front of
the homes….Mrs. McFaddin and Mr. and Mrs. Carroll E. Ward invited
the girls and boys in for fruit cake.” — Beaumont newspaper, Decem-
ber, 1944.
Collections: Sleigh bells (restored 2011)
White fox fur on bench
Props: Christmas postcards (copies from MWH archives)
Mamie McFaddin
Ward, ca. 1919

5. Parlor
At Christmas, the parlor needed only fresh flowers, such as roses and
poinsettias, to set off its ornate rose-and-gilt décor. The real roses set
off the handpainted roses on walls and ceiling.

6. Dining Room
McFaddins and Wards often entertained friends during the holidays.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Ward will entertain a group at the W.P.H.
McFaddin home, at which time Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kinney of Cleve-
land, Ohio, Miss Ruth Bassett of New Britain, Connecticut, Mr. and
Mrs. Douglas Monroe of Oklahoma City and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Latta
will be honored.”– Beaumont Journal, December 31, 1930
Collections: Limoges (France) china
Baltimore Rose flatware
Stemware and salt and pepper shakers made of glass
with gold oxide paint
Silver and mother-of-pearl carving set
Cutwork tablecloth and napkins

7. Butler ’s Pantry
When the McFaddins and Wards entertained, this room was one of the
busiest in the house. After Louis Lemon had prepared one of his deli-
cious meals, food was transferred to serving dishes in the butler’s pan-
try before being carried to the dining room by the butler or the maid.
Collections: Blenko tumblers with swizzle sticks on silver Art Deco
tray
Art Glass Pitcher

8. Breakfast Room
The breakfast room was an ideal space for Ida and Mamie to host small
luncheons during the holidays.
Collections: Red Blenko plates and glasses
Red etched fingerbowls (not Blenko)
Mary Chilton flatware
Cutwork tablecloth & napkins
Ansonia “Gloria Swinger” clock works again!
Portieres are up for first time in several years

9. Library
During the holidays, the McFaddins enjoyed gathering in the library af-
ter dinner or when friends came to visit.
Collections: Demitasse set
Electric candelabra
Silver coffee service

10. Sun Porch
Even in the winter, the sun porch was used, as it was a warm, sunny room
during the morning hours, and the McFaddins fitted it with gas heat.

11. Music Room
The music room would have been a favorite gathering place during the
holidays, especially in the years before radio became available. Music
was an important part of the McFaddins’ world; both Mamie Ward and
her brother Caldwell McFaddin took piano lessons growing up, and Ida
McFaddin sang in her younger years.
Props: ukulele, violin, music stand, sheet music

12. Master Bedroom
Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas activities, Ida would have been
glad to relax in the peace and quiet of her bedroom and perhaps put on
her warm silk kimono for a few minutes’ rest.
Collections: quilt on day bed
Kimono on chair
Props: Postcards copied from MWH archives

13. Green Bedroom
This room is set up for giftwrapping. Each Christmas, Mamie
wrapped most of hers and her mother’s gifts to others. She even
bought and wrapped gifts for the young girls at the Beaumont
Children’s Home.
Collections: quilt on rocker
Scissors
Tape dispenser
Wrapping paper, tape, labels, boxes
Prop: magazine, gifts on floor

14. Blue Bedroom
The blue bedroom was for guests. McFaddins always welcomed visitors,
especially at Christmas. Sometimes they would come well before Christ-
mas and stay into the New Year. Packing in the early 20th century in-
volved many suitcases and even large trunks, which were often sent on
ahead by train.
Collections: Oshkosh luggage set and all contents
Mink stole, gloves, gold mesh purse
Fondville Ambassador china, Blue Petal pattern
Mary Chilton flatware

15. Pink Bedroom
Each year Mamie sent out Christmas cards to friends and family.
She was an avid member of the Magnolia Garden Club, and some-
times Carroll gave her an orchid for Christmas.
Collections: Christmas cards copied from MWH archives
Pen
Stamp holder
Fur cape, hat and gloves on bed
Quilt on day bed
Vase for orchid

16. Kitchen
Eggnog was a McFaddin Christmas tradition, served on Christmas
morning.
Collections: All kitchen equipment, liquor bottles
Porcelain coffee percolator pot
Fruit-of-the-Month Club box
Props: Maxwell House coffee can