Beaumont Heritage Society - Beaumont, Texas

Tuesday July 21, 2009
Camp Lookinback 2009
  <tr>Camp Lookinback 2009 will be held at the John Jay French Museum in two sessions. The same four courses will be held both sessions. </tr> Session 1: July 21-24, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Session 2: July 28-31, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. AGES: 6 to 12 years FEE: $60.00 SPACE IS LIMITED. Preregistration is strongly recommended to ensure your child's spot. To register call Amy Briggs at: 409-898-0348 or Email Amy Briggs at: amybriggsbhs@sbcglobal.net 2009 Courses: A SOLDIER'S LIFE: Imagine what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War. Learn how important leather goods were during the war from our Tanner, and make a period leather craft. See how a soldier would have lived. Learn to march and drill just like a real soldier, and how to fire a Civil War cannon! DIGGING INTO THE PAST: Have you ever wondered who was here before us? How did they live? What kind of tools did they use? How did they hunt for food? Here's your chance to be an archeologist for the day! Archeologist Charlie Bollich and Educator Brenda Jackson will be here to help children experience archeology first hand during a simulated dig. Kids will even get to bring home one of their finds! ON THESE GROUNDS: Did you know there weren't always grocery stores? In the 1800's, people on the frontier had to plant their own fruits and vegetables, and raise livestock to sustain their families. We have created a unique hands-on experience by planting a garden on the grounds of the museum. Children will see how fruits and vegetables grow, and experience how to care for and harvest them. An Entomologist will also be on hand to teach kids about insects and how they affect crops in our area. We will even have a visit from a few farm animal friends! RISE AND SHINE WITH SALLY FRENCH: Experience a day on the French family homestead. Sally would have risen before the sun each day to begin her chores. Kids will get to do chores like washing clothes by hand and sweeping the yard. They will also learn how to make butter, soap, and candles. A tour of the French Museum will also be provided. Come see what life was really like before television, cell phones, and iPods!
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      he Beaumont Heritage Society is organized for educational and civic purposes, to preserve and assist in the preservation of landmarks, (including but not limited to the John Jay French House), documents, pictures, names, mementos, and instruments of historical value, and to preserve the natural beauty of Beaumont, Texas.

    Our organization has been in existence since 1967 when concerned citizens saw the need to curb the rampant destruction of historic structures in the city. At that time, with a matching grant from the Beaumont Junior League, we acquired and restored the John Jay French House, which now operates as a unique museum to demonstrate the life of a prosperous Texas pioneer family from 1845-1865. The historic pioneer settlement, built by John Jay French, tanner and merchant, is replete with antique furnishings, clothing and pioneer household utensils. Outbuildings on the grounds include a blacksmith shop, tannery, privy and smokehouse.

    In 1990, the Society acquired and restored the David French House, circa 1850, which now serves as offices. Our most recent project is our second Historical House Museum, the Chambers House. We have been overseeing the restoration of the Chambers House since 2005 and the house opened for tours in May of 2007. We have also been responsible for helping develop programs such as: SPARE Beaumont, “Beaumont, USA Our Built Environment”, Landmark Commission, and preservation efforts of Munro House, the Dixie Hotel, and the Tyrrell Historical Library.

    In addition to our general museum services, we provide tours for 7th grade BISD students as a part of the Texas history curriculum, a Christmas Candlelight tour; summer camp; and other miscellaneous events and services. We have also recently been involved in preserving two historical houses in the city of Beaumont that were slated for demolition. The Beaumont Heritage Society will continue to work to become a strong voice for preservation of the community.





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