The John Jay French Museum

•  Built in 1845
•  First painted house
•  First two-story house
•  Beaumont's oldest surviving
   house
•  First home built with milled
   lumber

The Beaumont Heritage Society is organized for educational and civic purposes, to preserve and assist in the preservation of landmarks, (including but not limited to the John Jay French House), documents, pictures, names, mementos, and instruments of historical value, and to preserve the natural beauty of Beaumont, Texas.

Our organization has been in existence since 1967 when concerned citizens saw the need to curb the rampant destruction of historic structures in the city. At that time, with a matching grant from the Beaumont Junior League, we acquired and restored the John Jay French House, which now operates as a unique museum to demonstrate the life of a prosperous Texas pioneer family from 1845-1865. The historic pioneer settlement, built by John Jay French, tanner and merchant, is replete with antique furnishings, clothing and pioneer household utensils. Outbuildings on the grounds include a blacksmith shop, tannery, privy and smokehouse.

In 1990, the Society acquired and restored the David French House, circa 1850, which now serves as our office. We have also been responsible for helping develop programs such as: SPARE Beaumont, “Beaumont, USA Our Built Environment”, Landmark Commission, and preservation efforts of Munro House, the Dixie Hotel, and the Tyrrell Historical Library.

In addition to our general museum services, we provide tours for 7th grade BISD students as a part of the Texas history curriculum; "Classmates Around the World", a multi-cultural event for BISD's 2nd graders; a Christmas Candlelight tour; city tours; summer camp; and other miscellaneous events and services.

Location
3025 French Road
Beaumont, TX 77706-7919
Phone: 409-898-0348
Fax: 409-898-8487
Email: jjfrench@sbcglobal.net

Museum hours
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Reservations required for group and school tours.

Admission
Adults $3
Senior Citizens $2
Students $1

Directions to the museum
From the North: Travel South on U.S. 69/96/287. Exit Lucas and continue on frontage road. Turn right (west) on French Road, grounds will be on the right.

From the East: Travel West on I-10. Take the U.S. 69 North exit towards Lufkin. Exit Delaware and turn left (west). Turn right (north) on French Road, grounds will be on the left.

From the South: Take U. S. 69 North. Exit Delaware and turn left (west). Turn right (north) on French Road, grounds will be on the left.

Map to the museum