Perry, the middle McFaddin child, had an adventurous spirit. He loved being outside and at the ranch. It made perfect sense that he would be a part of the first Boy Scouts troop in Southeast Texas! Organized in Beaumont on September 16, 1911, Troop 1 became the foundation for a continuing Boy Scouts presence in the region.
The troop did not wear uniforms until the following October when they attended the Southeast Texas Fair. In January 1912, the troop hiked to Spindletop Springs to take a troop photograph. Later that year, during the summer, the troop hiked from Beaumont to Rollover and back, about 140 miles. It was reported that 55 scouts began the Rollover hike; however, only ten walked the entire distance.

About the Object:
The stained rectangular shaped backpack with two canvas straps on the back, which fastened through metal buckles (one is missing) was Perry McFaddin’s personal Boy Scout pack. The front flap has "Boy Scouts of America..." printed in black along with the Boy Scout emblem. A handwritten inscription, written in black ink says, "Perry McFaddin, Jr." The bag contains pockets on the front and inside.

The third floor bathroom served the men of the house and guests visiting this space. When the medicine cabinet and toilet tank were removed during a restoration project lasting from 2004-2006 wallpaper remnants were discovered. The same manufacturer is still in business and able to reproduce the original design. Over the course of time the bathroom was somewhat dismantled. During the restoration, original pieces found elsewhere in storage were reassembled and installed for their intended purpose.

A unique lock is on the bathroom noting if the space is occupied, an important feature for a bathroom available to guests.

The electrified craftsman lamp currently on exhibit in the East Bedroom, interpreted as Perry McFaddin’s bedroom, is an oak craftsman style lamp with a green, white, and red marbled flared shade. The lamp has three magazine/book shelves. The lamp was made in Cinncinati, Ohio between 1895 and 1908 by the Shops of the Crafters owned by Oscar Onken (1858-1948). The business logo was “Where Good Things are Made.” The store featured arts and craftsman style pieces made of oak and mahogany. This lamp was probably purchased on one of Ida an Mamie’s many trips to West Virginia as Cincinnati was stop along the way.

Object Details:

Green, white and red marbled glass shade; framed in fumed oak; attached by 4 oak supports to oak base; 4 sided base - 2 complete, 2 opening to expose 3 shelves; electric light socket at top of base; shade flared

(Manufactured by Onken Co., Oscar /// Crafters 1895, Cincinnati, OH)

The occupancy indicator was added to this bathroom door and the half bath door located behind the main staircase since these facilities were shared by visitors and family members. The bathroom doors separating the bedrooms and bathrooms do not include occupancy indicators.