Museum Madness Weekend

Halloween is vastly approaching and there is no better way jumpstart the fun festivities with the area’s first-ever Museum Madness this weekend, beginning Thursday, Oct. 20. Various museums and local destinations spots will host events for the entire family throughout Jefferson County.

Thursday, Oct. 20

The madness begins at McFaddin-Ward House Museum Lecture Series, “The Culture of America” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1906 Calder Ave. in Beaumont. Professional photographer, Tom Pich, and former Director of Folk and Traditional Arts at the National Endowment for the Arts, Barry Bergey, discuss their book “Folk Masters: A Portrait of America.” The book includes stunning portraits of NEA National Heritage Fellows, individuals, and groups who received the highest honor our federal government gives to folk and traditional artists. The lecture is free to attend.

Tyrrell Park Nature Center (3930 Babe Zaharias Drive) in Beaumont is hosting an “Owl Pellet and Bones – Owl Mystery” on Thursday, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This program is an interactive, science and nature exploration activity, where each child will examine and dissect one owl pellet while learn about an owl’s diet, habits, and their place in the food web. Call (409) 880-3163 to reserve a free space. Space is limited.

The Museum of the Gulf Coast (700 Procter St.) in Port Arthur will host guided tours from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday featuring interactive media exhibits in music, sports, and notable people halls of fame. The museum will also have an exhibit on African American Quilts created by Gulf Coast area quilters and presented by the National African American Quilt Guild.

The museum will also have a “Spooktacular Family Fun Day” on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which is also free to attend.

Friday, Oct. 21

Tyrrell Historical Library (695 Pearl St.) in downtown Beaumont will offer a free “Family Archives Workshop” at 2 p.m. Patrons can learn everything to know about preserving, organizing, and digitizing historical artifacts like photographs, memorabilia, letters and film.

The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum (5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd.) near Lamar University will celebrate the “Spindletop Spookfest” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Kiddoes can trick or treat throughout the grounds of Gladys City.

Saturday, Oct. 22

Beaumont Children’s Museum (701 Main St.) in downtown welcomes Spheres Bubble Show – “Expand the Universe Tour” created by Blaise Ryndes from Season 13 of “America’s Got Talent.” Kids will love the gigantic formations of bubbles and foam wafting over the audience, while adults appreciate the beauty and complexity of the unbelievable bubble sculptures. Three free shows will be held in the Civic Center at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

The Fire Museum of Texas (400 Walnut St.) in downtown Beaumont welcomes all ages to a free pumpkin scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Family Arts Day: Eat a Bug” returns to the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (500 Main St.) in downtown Beaumont from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a creative day of art activities and eat a delicious bug with Bill Clark Pest Control, only if you dare!

The free Family Arts Day will be a hybrid of indoor and outdoor activities such as creating unique artwork like Sugar Skulls, Glow Stick Sculptures, Trick-or-Treat Bags, and Fall Cookie Decorating.

There will be two dance performances from the Mexican Heritage Society at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

It’s Dino Day at the Texas Energy Museum (600 Main St.) in downtown Beaumont. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can learn about dinosaurs and how fossils are found and studied. Activities include talks by professional “dinosaur hunters,” making huge papier-mâché dinosaurs, searching for real fossils and hands-on, creative activities. Admission is free.

Tour the Magnolia Cemetery (2291 Pine St.) from noon to 2 p.m. The docent will discuss the rich history of the area through the lived experiences of our past residents. There are many stories, mostly forgotten over time, that need to be told and remembered.

The Dishman Art Museum (1030 E. Lavaca St.) on the campus of Lamar University will be open for noon to 4 p.m. Patrons can view multiple exhibits, free of charge.

Beaumont Heritage Society will host its annual Pumpkin Walk and Fall Festivavl at the John Jay French Museum (3025 French Road) from 6-9 p.m. There will be pumpkin carving contests as well as “haunted hay rides” as well as vendors. Admission is $5.

“The museums have been trying to find a way to do things all together at the same time, so this is a first,” said Amanda Yarbrough, Executive Director of the Beaumont Children’s Museum. “It’s great way to showcase all the area’s great destinations in Southeast Texas.”

-Chad Cooper, Entertainment Editor