The Beaumont Heritage society is proud to announce the debut of its newest exhibit, “Are We Ever Through Playing? Tea Parties, Performed Femininity, and the Social Conditioning of the Chambers Sisters,” opening to the public on July 22, 2025. This thought-provoking exhibit explores how childhood play, social rituals, and domestic expectations shaped the lives of girls in the early 20th century, using the lives of Ruth and Florence Chambers as a case study.
Drawing from the Chambers family’s own collection of toys, photographs, and personal items, the exhibit offers a unique lens into how play was not simply entertainment but a means of preparing young girls for adult roles in society. At its center is a recreated tea party scene, inviting guests to consider how activities like serving tea, hosting guests, and minding manners were more than child’s play — they were rehearsals for womanhood. “Are We Ever Through Playing?” examines the parallels and contrasts between the sisters’ experiences growing up in a rapidly changing world, while also prompting visitors to reflect on how gender roles continue to be shaped today.
The exhibit will open at the Chambers House Museum on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, during regular operating hours. A FREE opening reception and tea party will take place at the museum (located at 2240 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77701) on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Collections Manager Jayden Franke and Summer Intern Angelique Ruiz will be available to discuss the exhibit and answer questions from guests. Finger foods and drinks traditional to a tea party will be served. Visitors can enjoy live bridge games hosted by the Beaumont Bridge Studio, as well as period lawn games on the grounds. A craft activity, themed to the exhibit, will also be available, ensuring fun for visitors of all ages. The reception is open to the public, and no registration is required. Additionally, a satellite exhibit will be available at the Jefferson County Courthouse starting July 21, 2025.
The Beaumont Heritage Society is a non-profit, organized to educate and engage the community through Beaumont’s history and heritage for a better future together.
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