The Art Museum of Southeast Texas is honoring its 75th anniversary in 2026, tracing its evolution from a small Beaumont house to a cornerstone of local culture.

This summer, the museum is showcasing a special exhibition exploring its story decade by decade.

Yet one of its most powerful collections came not from a wealthy donor, but from Felix "Fox" Harris — a north Beaumont railroad foreman and self-taught creator.

For over twenty years, Harris transformed his yard on Ledet Road into a towering display of scrap-metal totems crafted from discarded materials.

Building for personal solace rather than recognition, Harris never sold his work, instead letting the forest of sculptures stand as a private landmark for neighbors to ponder.

After Harris passed in 1985, his family gifted the collection to the museum, which eventually built a dedicated gallery in his honor.

This lasting exhibit shows that Beaumont’s cultural roots truly rise from within its own community.

Few drivers in Beaumont notice the 900-acre wetlands bordering Tyrrell Park’s golf course, but Nature Center Manager Rebecca Woodland thinks about them every day.  

She has dedicated years to transforming a former wastewater marsh into a natural classroom, helping local children experience conservation firsthand.  

This commitment recently brought Woodland national acclaim, as the Garden Club of America honored her with the 2026 Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award, recognizing individuals who shape environmental education for kids under sixteen.  

Nominated by the Magnolia Garden Club, she’s been celebrated for the hands-on programs started since the Nature Center’s opening in 2022.  

The award highlights more than one person’s achievement—it signals a deeper investment in Beaumont’s future.  

By connecting young people to the wetlands, Woodland helps shape how new generations value their hometown.  

With school back in session, her boardwalks and marshes are set to become even livelier as field trip season begins.

Paul Nguyen spent four years hustling as the owner of Broke Boyz, a burger and wings food truck moving across Southeast Texas.

Now, he’s opened Beaumont Food District at 4438 Dowlen Road, transforming the old Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse into a food hall designed to help local vendors avoid the challenges he once faced.

The concept brings together multiple independent food businesses under one roof, offering dedicated space, prep areas, and storage for each vendor.

Beaumont Food District opened its doors with three businesses—Broke Boyz, Manny’s Catering, and Divine Flavor—along with a rotating cast of local food entrepreneurs, all benefitting from shared overhead and new storefront opportunities.

This project isn’t just another restaurant opening. It’s a boost for Southeast Texas’ small business scene, giving more food truck owners a real shot at growth and a permanent home.