BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Beaumont Heritage Society - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Beaumont Heritage Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://beaumontheritage.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Beaumont Heritage Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20250101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260501T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260731T170000 DTSTAMP:20260602T171100 CREATED:20260312T202042Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T151331Z UID:1863-1777622400-1785517200@beaumontheritage.org SUMMARY:SETX 250! DESCRIPTION:As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026\, the Beaumont Heritage Society is launching Southeast Texas 250\, a regional initiative to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial across Southeast Texas. \nThe effort will bring together museums\, historical organizations\, schools\, civic groups\, and local governments throughout the region to celebrate the people\, places\, and stories that have shaped Southeast Texas and its role in the broader American story. \nThe national milestone commemorates the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4\, 1776. Across the country\, communities are organizing programs leading up to the anniversary through the nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Southeast Texas 250 will serve as the regional framework for local participation in the celebration. \nLed by the Beaumont Heritage Society\, Southeast Texas 250 will encourage communities across the region to host events\, exhibitions\, oral history projects\, educational programs\, and heritage tourism initiatives that highlight local history while connecting it to the larger national narrative. \nThe initiative is expected to include collaborative programming with regional partners and special events leading up to and after the 250th anniversary of Independence Day in 2026. \n🏨 Making a weekend of it? Stay with our partner hotel! Hilton Garden Inn Beaumont 3755 I-10\, Beaumont\, TX 77705. Book online or call the hotel and reference client/company number 3553285 for a special rate. \nSee the SETX 250 Community Calendar and list of events below! \n_________________________________________________________ \nCommunity Barbecue and SETX  250 Kickoff | The Chambers House Museum | Saturday\, May 2nd\, 2026 | 12 – 4 p.m.\n  \n \nJoin us for a Community Barbecue at the Chambers House Museum on Saturday\, May 2\, 2026\, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. as we kick off Southeast Texas 250\, a regional celebration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary. \nBring your friends\, family\, and neighbors for an afternoon of good food\, community spirit\, and local history. This free event is a chance to gather together\, celebrate the stories that shaped Southeast Texas\, and launch a year of special programs and events across the region. \nThe Chambers House Museum\, operated by the Beaumont Heritage Society\, provides the perfect historic backdrop for this celebration. Come enjoy barbecue\, connect with your community\, and help us start the Southeast Texas 250 festivities in style. \n\nAMSET Film Crew Meeting | The Art Museum of SETX | Tuesday\, May 12th\, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.\n  \n \nJoin AMSET in celebrating America 250 by discussing one of the oldest art forms in America\, quilting. The two documentaries listed below provide insight into the history\, cultural significance\, and artistry of quilting with emphasis on how quilts tell diverse stories. Attendees will watch the documentaries on their own and come together for conversation.  This event is free to attend\, RSVP encouraged. Click the link below to get your free ticket.  \n  \nRSVP for Film Crew –> https://givebutter.com/america-250-amset-film-crew-4nrfvt \n– “Craft in America: Quilts” (Season 11\, Episode 1) on PBS (stream for free on PBS.org) \n– “The Quilters” on Netflix  (optional\, if participant does not have access to Netflix) \n  \nAmerica 250 Open House & SETX Speaks: Oral History Drive | The W.H. Stark House | Saturday\, May 16th\, 2026 | 10 – 2 p.m.\n\n\nCelebrate America’s 250th Birthday at The W.H. Stark House! We are kicking off a summer of celebration with the America 250 Open House on Saturday\, May 16\, from 10 am-2 pm. \nThe America 250 Open House will feature the Southeast Texas Speaks: Oral History Drive\, which invites our community to share and preserve their memories of Southeast Texas! Sign up for a timeslot today at whstarkhouse.org and help us see SETX history through your eyes. \nVisitors will also make their mark on a Community Painting\, add a wish to the Wish Wall\, and visit community partners on the grounds. The Stark House will be open for visitors to explore the people of The W.H. Stark House and its unique place in Southeast Texas history. Go to https://whstarkhouse.org/oralhistory/ to register. Visit https://whstarkhouse.org/america-250-open-house/ for more information. \n  \n\nAmerica 250: Three Presidents – Lincoln\, Grant\, and Garfield | Stark Museum of Art |May 16th – December 3rd\, 2026 \n \nTo celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States\, the Stark Museum of Art presents America 250: Three Presidents—Lincoln\, Grant\, and Garfield. This special focus exhibition features three watercolor paintings by Taos artist Oscar E. Berninghaus. Each painting shows a moment from the early life of Abraham Lincoln\, Ulysses S. Grant\, or James Garfield. These scenes remind us that these well-known leaders began as ordinary boys who worked hard and hoped for a better future. (Museum closed May 17th\, 18th & 19th) \n  \nVietnam Veterans of America Collection Exhibit Opening Event | The Tyrrell Historical Library| Thursday\, June 11th\, 2026 | 4:30 – 6 p.m.\n \nJoin the Tyrrell Historical Library for a special exhibit opening honoring Vietnam Veterans. \nThe Vietnam Veterans Exhibit will feature artifacts\, photographs\, and memorabilia highlighting the history and contributions of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The event will include a presentation by Sandra Womack\, who will discuss the chapter’s history and ongoing impact on the Beaumont community. \n  \nThe W.H. Stark House Book Club | The W.H. Stark House & John Jay French Museum | Thursday\, June 11th & June 18th\, 2026 | 6 p.m.\n \nCelebrate America’s 250th birthday with The W.H. Stark House Classics Book Club in a discussion of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a classic 1943 coming-of-age novel by Betty Smith\, following the life of Francie Nolan\, a resilient girl growing up in the immigrant communities of Brooklyn\, New York\, in the early 1900s. The story chronicles her childhood and adolescence\, focusing on her family’s struggles with poverty\, her father’s alcoholism\, her mother’s strength\, and Francie’s own dreams of education and becoming a writer\, symbolized by the tenacious tree growing in their yard. \nInspired by Miriam Stark’s own book club\, this event will explore America’s 250th birthday through a discussion of the novel’s themes\, American history\, and the “American Dream.” \nThis Book Club will be offered twice! The June 11 session will be hosted at The W.H. Stark House in Orange\, and the June 18 session will be hosted at the John Jay French Museum in Beaumont. The June 11 session will also include a brief tour of The W.H. Stark House. Guests are encouraged to register for the date of their choosing. \nAdvanced registration is encouraged and can be made online at https://whstarkhouse.org/classics-book-club/. \n  \nAMSET Book Club Meeting | The Art Museum of SETX | Tuesday\, June 16th\, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.\n  \n \n\nJoin AMSET in celebrating America 250 by reading Theo the Golden by Allen Levi. This new bestselling novel explores how art creates community and sparks acts of kindness in a small southern town. We will discuss the story\, how art plays a part in everyday life\, and how we can create community and connection in our own lives. Attendees will read the book on their own and come together for conversation. Free to attend\, RSVP encouraged. Click the link below to get your free ticket.  \n  \nRSVP for Book Club –> https://givebutter.com/america-250-amset-book-club-kwrbhq \n\n  \nAmerica 250: Community & Culture | The John Jay French Museum | Saturday\, June 20th\, 2026 | 10 – 2 p.m.\n  \n \nJoin us for Community and Culture\, a vibrant multicultural fair celebrating the people\, traditions\, and stories that make Southeast Texas unique. As part of the Southeast Texas 250 commemoration\, this event will bring together music\, food\, art\, and cultural traditions from across our diverse communities. \nEnjoy performances\, local vendors\, cultural demonstrations\, and opportunities to connect with neighbors while honoring the many cultures that shape our region’s history and future. \nCelebrate the rich heritage of Southeast Texas and be part of this special moment as we mark 250 years of the American story—together. \n  \nAmerica 250: Lecture: Log Cabin to White House | Stark Museum of Art | Thursday\, June 25th\, 2026 | 6 p.m.\n \nThis slide talk will highlight three paintings of U.S. presidents. Taos artist Oscar E. Berninghaus created scenes from the early lives of Abraham Lincoln\, Ulysses S. Grant\, and James Garfield. Curator Sarah Boehme will explain why Berninghaus chose these presidents and what inspired him to paint their stories. The talk will also look at the history and events that shaped these three leaders as they served their country. \nOffered in conjunction with the special focus exhibition America 250: Three Presidents – Lincoln\, Grant\, and Garfield on view through December 23\, 2026\, at the Stark Museum of Art \nAmerica 250: Star-Spangled Spectacular | Jefferson Theater | Saturday\, June 27th\, 2026 | 6 p.m.\nThe City of Beaumont invites the community to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a patriotic evening of music\, film\, and history at the Jefferson Theatre. \nGuests will enjoy a memorable lineup of performances and features\, including: \n\nA stirring rendition of the National Anthem performed by barbershop quartet\, The College Try\nA patriotic Armed Forces Medley honoring U.S. military branches\nInteractive sing-a-longs accompanied by the historic Robert Morton organ\, with vocals led by Hunter Courts\nA special silent film presentation of The General\, featuring live organ accompaniment by Tom Helms on the restored Robert Morton organ\nThis unique celebration highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Jefferson Theatre while honoring the spirit of America’s 250th anniversary.\n\nDoors open at 6pm\, and the program begins at 7pm. To purchase tickets\, visit: Star Spangled Spectacular. \n  \n\nThe Spirit of Port Arthur | Museum of the Gulf Coast | Wednesday\, July 1st\, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.\n \nThe Spirit of Port Arthur is a temporary exhibition developed in conjunction with America 250\, the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Rather than focusing on the events of 1776\, the exhibition interprets the broader ideals of American independence—resilience\, opportunity\, freedom of expression\, and civic identity—through the history and lived experience of Port Arthur\, Texas. Presented over a focused 3-month run\, the exhibition highlights how a single Gulf Coast community reflects the larger American story through industry\, culture\, adversity\, and perseverance. The exhibition positions Port Arthur not as a footnote to national history\, but as an active contributor to it. Included in regular Museum admission. \n  \n“America 250: A Beaumont History” by Judith Walker Linsley | McFaddin-Ward House Museum | Thursday\, November 12th\, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.\n \n  \nJoin the McFaddin-Ward House Museum for “America 250: A Beaumont History\,” a free public lecture presented by Judith Walker Linsley on Thursday\, November 12\, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Visitor Center Lecture Hall (1906 Calder Avenue\, Beaumont). In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary\, Linsley\, a sixth-generation Southeast Texan and local historian\, will explore the fascinating story of Beaumont\, beginning with the indigenous Ishak people and traveling through the Texas Revolution\, 1901 Spindletop oil boom\, and technological and industrial expansions leading up to the modern day. For nearly four decades\, Linsley has been a member of the McFaddin-Ward House Museum staff\, serving in a range of roles in interpretation\, education\, curation\, and research\, including her current role as research assistant. She has also conducted more than 100 oral history interviews for the Museum. McFaddin-Ward House Museum lectures are admission-free and open to the public\, but space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information\, call 409-832-2134. \n  \n  \n \n\n  \n  \n  URL:https://beaumontheritage.org/event/setx-250/ LOCATION:TX ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://beaumontheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SETX-250-OF-LOGO.png ORGANIZER;CN="Beaumont Heritage Society":MAILTO:info@beaumontheritage.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260620T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260620T140000 DTSTAMP:20260602T171100 CREATED:20260407T141514Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T200659Z UID:1973-1781949600-1781964000@beaumontheritage.org SUMMARY:America 250: Culture and Community DESCRIPTION:Join the Beaumont Heritage Society as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a vibrant multicultural fair highlighting the people\, traditions\, and stories that make Beaumont unique. \nHeld on Saturday\, June 20\, 2026\, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the John Jay French Museum (3025 French Road\, Beaumont\, TX 77706)\, this free\, family-friendly event invites the community to explore the many cultures that shape our city. Guests can enjoy local food trucks with diverse options for purchase\, browse a vendor fair\, view a special exhibit in the first floor of the museum\, and connect with cultural organizations from Southeast Texas and the surrounding areas\, who will be on-site sharing their missions\, histories\, and contributions to Beaumont. \nCultural organizations interested in participating can sign up for the event here! \nVendors interested in participating in the vendor fair can sign up for the event here! \nGuests are welcome to bring picnics to enjoy on the grounds. Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets; no glass containers\, tobacco and alcohol\, or pets (does not include service animals). \nAmerica 250: Culture and Community is a celebration of shared heritage\, community pride\, and the diverse voices that continue to define Beaumont—past\, present\, and future.  \nWe gratefully acknowledge the continued support of the Southeast Texas Arts Council and the Foundation for Southeast Texas for helping make this event possible! URL:https://beaumontheritage.org/event/america-250-culture-and-community/ LOCATION:John Jay French House\, 3025 French Road\, Beaumont\, TX\, 77706\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Beaumont Heritage Society":MAILTO:info@beaumontheritage.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260707T090000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260710T120000 DTSTAMP:20260602T171100 CREATED:20240411T224538Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T204536Z UID:886-1783414800-1783684800@beaumontheritage.org SUMMARY:Camp Lookinback 2026 DESCRIPTION:Join us for Camp Lookinback\, hosted July 7-10\, 2026 at the John Jay French Museum! *The French Museum will be closed to the public from July 7th-11th* \nCamp Lookinback is a fun and educational four-day summer camp held on the grounds of the historic John Jay French Museum. Children\, ages 6-11\, experience another time in Texas history while in an enriching environment. Each day\, children will get to perform hands on activities related to the 1800s. Camp Lookinback is fun for both boys and girls! \nRegistration is required and SPACE IS LIMITED to 45 CHILDREN and filled on a first come first serve basis. Cost per child is $75.00 for Non-Members and $65.00 for BHS Members. Refund policy: If you need your payment refunded\, please contact us prior to camp starting. We are unable to guarantee a refund once camp has begun. \n*Scholarship applications are now closed* \nComplete your camp counselor application here! \nCamp Schedule\nCamp Lookinback 2026 will be held in one session: Tuesday\, July 7th – Friday\,  July 10th\, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.\nCamp Lookinback is based on a three-year rotating curriculum for a new experience each year. Each day consists of three hands-on activities. This year\, activities include (subject to change): \nTEXAS HISTORY – Campers will take a tour of the John Jay French Museum\, learn the history of local indigenous peoples\, and hear from The Big Thicket about animals! Snack: Trail Mix \nWHOO LOVES HISTORY? – Campers will get a lesson on safety from the Beaumont Police Department\, hear from Tyrrell Park Nature Center about owls\, and learn about history from the McFaddin-Ward House! Snack: “Owl” Cookies. \nDEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS – Campers will learn about astronomy from Village Creek State Park\, visit with horses from Stable-Spirit\, and and hop on the “Energy Express” with the Texas Energy Museum! Snack: “Constellations.” \nSLITHERING INTO ‘HISS’-TORY – Campers will get up close and personal with live snakes from Snake Education Experience\, learn about plants from the Southeast Texas Native Plant Society\, and discover nature with a local yoga teacher! Snack: Dirt Pudding \nPlease complete the form below: \n\n \n \n Camp Lookinback Registration 2026\n \n \n Registration(Required)\n \n \n BHS Members - $65\n \n \n \n Non-members - $75\n Number of Campers(Required) Please enter a number from 1 to 999Camper(s) Name & Age(Required)In case of emergency\, and if the Beaumont Heritage Society is unable to contact any of the listed contacts\, do we have permission to have your child taken to the emergency room?Parent/Guardian Name\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Address \n \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n Address Line 2\n \n \n City\n \n \n State / Province / Region\n \n \n ZIP / Postal Code\n \n AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire\, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo\, Democratic Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzechiaCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea\, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea\, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine\, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena\, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyria Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzania\, the United Republic ofThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUS Minor Outlying IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands\, BritishVirgin Islands\, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland Islands\n Country\n \n \n Cell Phone(Required) Home Phone Work Phone Email(Required)\n \n \n Enter Email\n \n \n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n Emergency Contact #1\n \n \n \n Name\n \n \n \n \n Number\n \n \n Emergency Contact #2\n \n \n \n Name\n \n \n \n \n Number\n \n \n Allergies or other medical conditions we need to know about? (Including medications) If none\, type NONE.(Required)By registering\, you're agreeing for medical care to be procured for your child in case of an emergency if we believe medical care is requiredTo the fullest extent permitted by applicable law\, I will hold harmless and indemnify the Beaumont Heritage Society\, its agents and employees\, against any or all personal injury\, including death\, or property damage\, and all claims and actions\, against any and all claims and actions arising out of my child's/children's participation in the Camp Lookinback summer camp\, including\, without limitation\, expenses\, judgments\, fines\, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any liability\, suit\, action\, loss\, or damage arising or resulting from my child's participation in the Camp Lookinback summer camp.\n \n \n I Accept\n \n \n \n I Decline\n A signature will be required upon drop off on the first day of camp.Photography Permission: I authorize the Beaumont Heritage Society staff and agents permission to photograph and video my camper(s) while attending summer camp for the purpose of creating camp or memory books\, social media\, and advertising materials.\n \n \n I Accept\n \n \n \n I Decline\n A signature will be required upon drop off on the first day of camp.NumberNameThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n****PLEASE HIT ‘SUBMIT’ ABOVE**** \n \n\n \n*COMPLETE YOUR PAYPAL PAYMENT BEFORE EXITING PAGE* URL:https://beaumontheritage.org/event/camp-lookinback-2026/ LOCATION:John Jay French House\, 3025 French Road\, Beaumont\, TX\, 77706\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Beaumont Heritage Society":MAILTO:info@beaumontheritage.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR