Museum Madness returns to Beaumont

The fall weather and Halloween season is upon us. If you’re looking for a fantastic adventure filled with activities for those of any age, then look no further than the third annual Museum Madness beginning Thursday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 22. 

“The museums and Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau are working together as one,” said Christina Lokey, marketing director for Beaumont CVB. “Throughout the day, there are staggered times for these events, so there is always something going at all times that allows you to go from one museum to another. A family can park at the Beaumont Civic Center, then can start at the Beaumont Children’s Museum and walk to Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Texas Energy Museum and the Texas Fire Museum.”

Thursday, Oct. 19

The madness begins at Edison Museum (350 Pine St., Beaumont). Come learn about early 20th century Spiritualism and the mystery surrounding Edison’s ghost phone from 10 a.m. to noon. The museum will also be open Friday, Oct. 20, during those same hours. 

Dishman Art Museum (1030 East Lavaca St., Beaumont) will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.  

The Museum of the Gulf Coast (700 Procter St., Port Arthur) has joined in the fun by making their Interactive Kiosks available, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The museum will also host a “Family Fun Day Spooktacular” on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. 

Magnolia’s Historic Cemetery (2291 Pine St., Beaumont) opens from 4-6 p.m. with guided cemetery tours. The entire cemetery encompasses approximately 75 acres and has been opened for more than 120 years. Tours can also be taken Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tyrrell Park Nature Center (3930 Babe Zaharias Drive, Beaumont) is hosting a “Hoo’s There? Owl Pellet Program” at 4:30-6:30 p.m. This interactive, nature exploration activity, allows each child to examine and dissect one owl pellet while learning about an owl’s diet, habits, and their place in the food web. Guided instruction, discussion, materials, and junior science worksheets will be provided as each child investigates what is in their owl pellet to solve this Owl Mystery… Hoo’s there? Reserve a spot by calling (409) 880-3163. 

Friday, Oct. 20

The Fire Museum of Texas (400 Walnut St., in Beaumont) invites the community to attend their pumpkin scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hunt continues Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum (5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd., Beaumont) near Lamar University will celebrate the “Spindletop Spookfest” from 6-9 p.m. Kiddoes can trick or treat throughout the grounds of Gladys City for an evening of Halloween fun. 

McFaddin-Ward House (1906 Calder Ave., Beaumont) will host a unique outdoor event exploring the history and sounds of swamp pop music at 6 p.m. The free event features a presentation, “Swamp Pop: History and Sounds of a Gumbo-Combo of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Country, and Cajun Music,” by Lamar University graduate student Rachel Stiles, followed by a “Music at the McFaddins” live performance from original swamp pop musicians including Jivin’ Gene and the band Eazy. 

Saturday, Oct. 21

Beaumont Children’s Museum (701 Main St.) hosts their 12th annual “Touch-A-Truck and S.T.E.A.M. Fair” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price of admission is $5-$10. This opportunity allows children to explore vehicles of all types public service, emergency, utility, construction, transportation, delivery, and just cool all in one place. Children will be allowed to touch, climb on and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment. Accompanying personnel will teach the children about the equipment displayed and how these machines help the community.

“Family Arts Day: Eat a Bug” returns to the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (500 Main St., 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, Puzzle Collage, Handcrafted Piñatas, Tissue Paper Marigolds, Mixed Media Collage and temporary tattoos. 

Children are encouraged to come dressed in their best costumes for a chance to win prizes in the costume contest at noon for ages 0-7 and 8 and up. Complimentary cookies and punch will be provided. A concession stand serving ballpark-style food will also be available. There will be two dance performances from the Mexican Heritage Society at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Throughout the day, AMSET will draw winners for baskets of art supplies.

It’s Dino Day at the Texas Energy Museum (600 Main St., Beaumont). From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can learn about dinosaurs and how fossils are found and studied. Activities include talks about paleontology with Lamar University’s Geology Department, dig for fossils, have Dino story time with the Beaumont Public Library, make fun and messy dinosaur crafts, and see a brand new 23-foot-tall brontosaurus.

Temple of the Brave (1350 Pennsylvania Ave., Beaumont) is open from 2-5 p.m. Temple of the Brave was originally built by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor those who served in World War I, and is now a memorial chapel for all who served, filled with artifacts from wars the US was involved in.

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

Sunday, Oct. 22

Museum Madness concludes at Cattail Marsh inside Tyrrell Park (3930 Babe Zaharias Drive, Beaumont) with food trucks, carnival games, and fun activities Sunday, Oct. 22, from noon to 4 p.m. Cattail Marsh includes 900-acres of scenic wetlands along with a boardwalk that features two covered platforms, providing access to incredible views of the wetlands’ abundant wildlife.