The 1905 Brunswick, Balke-Collender Company pool table was moved to the third floor in pieces, by way of a freight elevator, eliminated from the house during the many renovation projects. The McFaddin’s table has six pockets and folding ash trays under the lip. It provided a relaxing yet competitive skill based activity for the family in their leisure time, especially the men who utilized this space.

The game of pool, also known as pocket billiards is believed to have evolved from a similar game originating in France in the 1300s. The original game was played outside, as a lawn game, then eventually was moved inside to a table top covered in green cloth to mimic the grass. The game evolved into different variations with different obstacles such as the addition of pockets. Pool was a favorite past-time of both the French and English gentry.

Mamie converted the entire third floor into a storage area. Therefore, the pool table was in disrepair when the house transitioned into a museum. The table was conserved by McFaddin-Ward Staff and a hired conservator in 2005.

This excerpt is from an oral history interview collected from Albertine Parker, an occasional employee of the McFaddins, in 1988 when she was 99 years old. Albertine was also the wife of Tom Parker who served as W.P.H's chauffeur for decades. The interviewers were Rosine Wilson, granddaughter of Ida and W.P.H., and Judy Linsley, McFaddin-Ward House Research Assistant. The voices you hear in this excerpt are those of Albertine Parker and Rosine Wilson.

Albertine recalled the days of Prohibition, which lasted in the United States from 1920 - 1933, upon the passing of the eighteenth amendment that prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Albertine describes intricate systems of procuring banned products.

Albertine Parker: I know how he used to go to…drive back to the bayou to pick up Mr. McFaddin a bottle of whiskey from those people. You know, moonshiners. He used to get the best whiskey.

Rosine Wilson: Tom did?

Albertine Parker: They’d bring it for Mr. McFaddin. Then he’d have to go to the bayou early in the morning. They get in the truck and go, and then the other fellas they’d bring it over in the boat. They always give him some. He’d get a bottle like this. But Mr. McFaddin kept his in those barrels. You know, that’s what Tom say he used to keep it [it in]. But just for the holidays, special…

Rosine Wilson: He never did tell you the name of any of those moonshiners, did he?

Albertine Parker: Well, Honey he’d leave here about 3:00 o’clock to go to that place and pick it up. At that time, you wasn’t allowed to get that stuff. So he’d go store it up in Mr. McFaddin’s place. Then he’d bring his and put it right in the cabinet. And so he’d bring some to the office in town. He used to make eggnog for the…upstairs in the office

This two tiered carved mahogany cabinet with a shelf was used a liquor cabinet. A 1900 photograph of the home shows this cabinet in the dining room, which provides an idea of when the family may have purchased this piece of furniture. It was moved to the third floor at a later date. A Lazy Susan is on the bottom shelf with a built-in glass holder for stemware on the door.

Even though WPH had an official office in downtown Beaumont, his multiple business ventures required his attention while at home as well. His home office provided a perfect space to continue the job. A finely-crafted piece, this desk was often used by W.P.H., his sons, and occasionally Ida as they managed the McFaddin finances and businesses as a strong familial team.

The Remington Model II shotgun is a repeating single-barrel gun manufactured by the Remington Arms Co., in Ilion, New York. It is placed beneath a photograph of the McFaddin Ranch, paying homage to the hobbies and work of the McFaddin and Ward men. The gun is displayed upside down to accommodate the natural shape of the firearm.

Object Details:

Barrel, poly choke; action, semi-automatic; made under Browning patent; caliber, 20 gauge

(Manufactured by Remington Arms circa 1905, Ilion, New York)

Remington Arms Co., Inc., Ilion, N.Y. Made in U.S.A. Browning's U.S. PATS, 689.283-710.094-730.870-812, 326

This closet served as a third floor storage space. The adjustable shelves allowed for customization to meet a variety of storage needs.

The skylight permitted much needed light into the third floor. A set of hinges attached to one side of the skylight frame allowing for the raising and lowering of the glazed glass panels as a single unit. When the skylight is open heat from the house is ventilated out. This design feature works in tandem with Henry Conrad Mauer's other elements such as the transom windows above the doors to allow for air circulation and positioning the home to face south to capture the gulf breezes.

Ida's nephews, Ted and Dab Caldwell from West Virginia often visited Beaumont. On one such visit Ted was caught climbing the vine covered lattice attempting to reach the banned third floor. This floor was banned to young children as it served as a storage location for Perry Jr.'s and Caldwell's hunting rifles, other guns, and shells, all kept under lock and key for the children's safety. Ida caught Ted in the act and "threw a fit" according to an oral history collected by Ted Caldwell in 1991.