Beaumont Heritage Society

08/03/2025

This International Women’s Day, we honor the incredible women who shaped the history we preserve and those who continue to make it possible today.

At the John Jay French Museum and Chambers House Museum, women played vital roles in their families, businesses, and communities. Sally French, the matriarch of the French family, helped manage the household and trading post that supported her family's frontier life. Edith Chambers, matriarch of the Chambers family, was a gifted musician who managed the household while raising two strong, independent women. Ruth and Florence Chambers, who lived in their family home for nearly a century, witnessed and adapted to changing times while preserving their family's legacy.

We also recognize the dedicated women of our staff, whose passion for history, education, and preservation keeps these stories alive. Their hard work ensures that the voices of the past continue to inspire future generations.

08/03/2025

Good morning, BHS friends!

We are closed to the public today to attend the Mural Festival held at the Civic Center in downtown Beaumont. Stop by our table and take home a fun kid's craft!

We will reopen for normal tour times on Tuesday, March 11th, at 10AM, 12PM, and 2PM!

08/03/2025

Looking for your next date night idea? We've got you covered! 🍷🍺

Join us for our next Heritage Happy Hour event, held at the historic Magnolia Cemetery on March 20, 2025 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm.

Admission:
– Free for all Beaumont Heritage Society members
– $10 for all non-BHS members 21+

06/03/2025

TONIGHT:

Exhibit Opening: “Between Surface Noise and Song"

For The Record is set up with some great selections!

06/03/2025

👝You're Invited👝

Event: Exhibit Opening: “Between Surface Noise and Song"
Date: March 6, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: 2240 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77701
Cost: FREE

We hope to see you at tonight's event! Did we mention it's free? 😉

06/03/2025

TOMORROW:

Exhibit Opening: “Between Surface Noise and Song"

We hope to see you there!

04/03/2025

Applications for our 2025 Summer Internship are still open!

Click the link to learn more about this exciting opportunity 😃

Summer Internship Applications are now open for our Summer 2025 internship! The Beaumont Heritage Society and Chambers House Museum are committed to fostering education for the next generation of museum professionals. About Beaumont Heritage Society: When Ms. Florence Chambers formed the C. Homer a...

27/02/2025

It's National Retro Day!

Here at the Chambers House Museum, we’re all about keeping it old-school—literally. Step into our time capsule and cruise back in time to when the Chambers family called this place home.

No need for a DeLorean or a time machine—just swing by the museum and get your kicks the old-fashioned way! From vintage vinyl to classic decor, we’ve got more retro vibes than a soda shop jukebox.

So don’t be a square—celebrate National Retro Day with us! What’s your favorite blast from the past?

26/02/2025

Honoring Black History Month: Fannie Porter Bowie

As part of our efforts to honor the lives and contributions of the domestic employees who worked for the Chambers family, this week we are focusing on Fannie Porter Bowie.

Born sometime between 1882 - 1883 in Texas, Fannie (Francis) Porter McKellar married Costman Bowie in 1898, and together they had seven children. Sometime after 1918, she left her home near Tyler, Texas, and by 1920, she was living and working in the domestic employee's quarters of what is now the Chambers House Museum. Curiously, Fannie never returned to her family, continuing to work as a domestic employee in Beaumont before relocating to Jasper County in her 50s. By 1940, she is documented as being a single woman, head of household, living in the woods between Kirbyville and Jasper. Her occupation is listed as a farmer.

Much about Fannie’s journey remains unknown. Why she left her family and the circumstances surrounding her later years are questions we are still working to uncover. Her story, like so many others, reflects the resilience and complexities of Black domestic workers in the early 20th century.

As we work to uncover more about Fannie's life, including any possible photographs she may appear in, we invite the community to share any stories, documents, or images that could help us better represent and honor her legacy. If you’d like to learn more about our research into Fannie’s life and contributions, we welcome you to visit the Chambers House Museum. Normal business hours are Tuesday - Friday from 9 am-4 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am-1 pm. Tour times are scheduled Tuesday-Friday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, and Saturdays at 10 am and 12 pm.

25/02/2025

🎶 Between Surface Noise and Song: A Curated Selection of Music from the Chambers Family Collection 🎶

Music had a lasting influence on the Chambers household, shaping their leisure time, cultural interests, and even family traditions. In this week's "Between Surface Noise and Song" series, we turn our attention to Edith Chambers, whose love of classical music left a lasting mark on the family. One piece that stands out is "Minuet in G, No. 2" by Beethoven, performed by the renowned violinist Mischa Elman in 1910.

Mischa Elman (January 20, 1891 – April 5, 1967) was a Jewish violinist born in Ukraine, whose career spanned his entire life. He began performing in the homes of wealthy Russian patrons in 1903 and was renowned for giving an estimated 107 performances over a 29-week concert period. His contributions to classical music played a significant role in boosting the sales of Victrolas from the Victor Talking Machine Company, as classical music was instrumental in popularizing the device and record sales in general.

Edith Fuller Chambers, both a musician and a classical music enthusiast, was instrumental in cultivating this appreciation in her daughters by ensuring they learned to play the piano. Additionally, the presence of classical records in the collection suggests that the entire family valued the genre enough to invest in them.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3t2G8CJgc&t=2s

📸 Photos (left to right): Edith Chambers, "Minuet in G, No. 2" record, Mischa Elman.

Join us for the opening reception of "Between Surface Noise and Song" on March 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Chambers House Museum!

21/02/2025

Honoring Black History Month: Etta Mack

As part of our efforts to honor the lives and contributions of the domestic employees who worked for the Chambers family, this week we are focusing on Etta Mack.

Born in 1902 in Louisiana, Etta moved to Beaumont, Texas, in the 1920s and worked for several families in the area. From around 1930 to 1935, she was employed by the Chambers family, where she played an essential role in the household. Etta had a passion for gardening and often provided fresh vegetables for family meals, ensuring the Chambers family had homegrown ingredients on their table.

Sometime after her time with the Chambers family, Etta relocated to San Antonio, where she pursued her dream of business ownership. She successfully ran her own beauty salon in the area until at least 1988, showcasing her resilience, independence, and entrepreneurial spirit. In the 1950 census, Etta was listed as "widowed," though we have not been able to locate marriage records.

Despite moving away, Etta stayed in touch with the Chambers family, even sending them a Christmas card on December 13, 1950, along with her business card from the salon she helped run. Though much of her life story remains unknown, she was remembered fondly by Florence Chambers. Her journey from domestic work to business ownership is a testament to the strength and determination of many African American women who sought greater opportunities in the 20th century.

As we work to uncover more about Etta’s life, including any possible photographs, we invite the community to share any stories, documents, or images that could help us better represent and honor her legacy. If you’d like to learn more about our research into Etta’s life and contributions, we welcome you to visit the Chambers House Museum. Normal business hours are Tuesday - Friday from 9 am-4 pm and Saturday from 9:30 am-1 pm. Tour times are scheduled Tuesday-Friday at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm, and Saturdays at 10 am and 12 pm.

Photos: Christmas card sent from Etta Mack to the Chambers family on Dec. 13, 1950, Etta Mack's business card for the salon she ran.

21/02/2025

Join us for the launch of our newest exhibit "Between Surface Noise and Song: A Curated Selection of Music From the Chambers Family Collection" on March 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Chambers House Museum.

"Between Surface Noise and Song" offers a glimpse into Beaumont’s cultural and musical landscape through the lens of the Chambers family. This exhibit showcases the records they treasured, the evolving technology that filled their home with music, and the profound role music played in their daily lives.

We hope to see you there!

20/02/2025

🚨 Summer Internship Opportunity at the Chambers House Museum! 🚨

Ready to dive into history this summer? Join us at the Chambers House Museum and gain hands-on experience in museum education, curatorial work, and cultural preservation.

We’re looking for a passionate and motivated intern to assist with exhibits, programming, and research while learning the ins and outs of museum operations. This 8-week internship is available between the months of May and September and works primarily in Collections under the direction of our Collections Manager.

Click the link below to learn more!
https://chambershouse.org/summer-internship/

18/02/2025

🎶 Between Surface Noise and Song: A Curated Selection of Music from the Chambers Family Collection 🎶

For our next feature in "Between Surface Noise and Song," we're focusing on Homer Chambers and a playful tune from 1928 that might have found its way into his world, "It Goes Like This That Funny Melody" by Johnny Johnson and His Statler Pennsylvanians

Johnny Johnson and his Statler Pennsylvanians made dozens of recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Co. from 1923-1936. Johnny Johnson was a well-known band leader during the 1920s and 1930s, but retired from the music industry in the 1940s and taught piano lessons in New Jersey. Not much information is known about the other singer featured on the record, Bob Treaster.

Although married to a musician and fostering an environment that encouraged artistic pursuits, it is unclear whether Homer Chambers played an instrument himself. As a businessman, he was likely well-informed about politics and world affairs, enough at least to understand the comedic context for 1928.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FslMQqZjtQ8

📸 Photos (left to right): Homer Chambers, "It Goes Like This That Funny Melody" record, Johnny Johnson.

Join us for the opening reception of "Between Surface Noise and Song" on March 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Chambers House Museum!

17/02/2025

Did you know Presidents’ Day was originally established in 1879 as Washington’s Birthday? Over time, it became a day to recognize all U.S. presidents and their contributions to the nation’s history. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved the holiday to the third Monday in February, creating the long weekend we know today.

Click the article to read more about the history behind the holiday:

Read all about President's Day and the truth behind the holiday.

14/02/2025

💌 Vintage Valentines from the Chambers Family 💌

Love is in the air—and in the archives! ❤️ This Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing a few sweet treasures from the Chambers House Museum collection.

📜 The first Valentine (left) was sent by Ruth Chambers to her sister, Florence—a heartfelt reminder of the strong bond between them.

💐 The second card (right) was given to Ruth, but the sender is unknown.

These little keepsakes remind us that love and friendship never go out of style! Visit the Chambers House Museum to step back in time and discover more about the everyday moments the Chambers family cherished.

14/02/2025

💖 Happy Galentine’s Day! 💖

Before Valentine’s Day comes a day all about celebrating the incredible women in our lives—our best friends, sisters, and lifelong confidantes!

This photo captures Edith Chambers (second from left) sharing a laugh with her friends, a perfect reminder that some of the best love stories are the ones we share with our closest gals. Whether it was an afternoon tea, a shopping trip in downtown Beaumont, or just a good chat on the porch, these friendships stood the test of time.

Tag your favorite ladies and let them know how much you appreciate them today!

12/02/2025

🎶 Between Surface Noise and Song: A Curated Selection of Music from the Chambers Family Collection 🎶

For our next feature in "Between Surface Noise and Song," we turn to Ruth Chambers and the spirited sounds of the 1920s with "Collegiate - Shimmy Fox Trot" by Waring’s Pennsylvanians (1925).

The Waring's Pennsylvanians, formed by Fred and Tom Waring at Pennsylvania State University, were a defining dance band of the Jazz Age. Their hit "Collegiate" captured the exuberance of the era, painting a picture of young people reveling in campus life, complete with fur coats, secret speakeasies, and the unmistakable energy of the flapper generation.

Our resident 1920s "collegiate," Ruth Chambers, attended college from the fall of 1919 to the fall of 1925. Coming of age during the rise of the Flapper, Ruth developed a unique perspective influenced by her conservative Edwardian upbringing and her firsthand observations of her peers embracing the Flapper aesthetic—bobbed hair, shorter skirts, and dating without a chaperone. With the Waring Pennsylvanians being popular acts at colleges, it's possible that Ruth Chambers witnessed their performances during her time at Randolph Macon College.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8NAyyQhQFM&t=58s

📸 Photos (left to right): Ruth Chambers, "Collegiate - Shimmy Fox Trot" record, The Waring's Pennsylvanians.

Join us for the opening reception of "Between Surface Noise and Song" on March 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Chambers House Museum!