The collections in the John Jay French house and the outbuildings include 1,044 items which are used to interpret the daily life of the early Texas frontiersman and his family. These items were common during the mid-19th century, and many of them belonged to John and Sally French. The museum currently has two types of collection, permanent and educational.

Tintypes and daguerreotypes of members of the family are also part of the collection, as well as one family pie safes, two ladder-back cowhide bottom chairs, a wooden dough bowl, and a music box purchased by Mr. French in Galveston. One of the more interesting family artifacts is the family Bible in which is recorded much of the early family history. The collection also includes textiles, e.g., blankets, lace, and needlepoint. Furniture pieces include chairs, rockers, benches, stools, racks, tables, stands, chest, bureaus, storage boxes, trunks, wardrobes, bedstands, daybeds, clocks, mirrors, desks, and picture frames. Tableware pieces include but are not limited to platters, bowls, steins, goblets, plates, flatware, and salt cellars. Located in the kitchen are artifacts for food storage, food preparation, and cooking. Lighting devices and accessories appropriate to the time, art work, e,g., drawings, shadow boxes, hair wreaths, tools for building, agriculture, and blacksmithing, as well as clothing and accessories, toys and games, musical instruments, and optical aids are also in the collection.

The archival collection, housed in the offices adjacent to the museum, includes copies of the 1850 census, French's application for a land grant, the French family Bible, personal family documents, extensive photograph collection, and a copy of John French's trading post ledger. Over 400 pieces of literature are available, including tapes and slides. Files contain past research by local historians and staff on topics that include many of Beaumont's citizens, homes, and businesses. Topics that cover preservation and restoration, furniture, and occupations from 1820-1865 are non-circulating.

Each year, docent training and an update for previously trained docents is offered. This prepares them for the year of planned programs. Special programs are scheduled for large or special interest groups. In order to broaden outreach, the BHS provides traveling trunk exhibits to all fourth grades in the three-county area. Nearly 2,000 seventh grade students tour the museum while studying Texas history. All Beaumont second grade students visit the museum for a multiculutral experience. Mid-19th century crafts, demonstrations, and entertainment give these children a day of fun, learning, and hands-on experience. Other schools participate in special tours throughout the year. Although the majority of visitors are school children, adult programming and tourism are encouraged. Programs such as The History of Rice in Beaumont, Early 19th Century Medicine, Gardening with Edible Plants, out-of-town trips such as the Audubon Pilgrimage in Louisiana have all been successful. Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Tex Fest, Ethnic Food Fair, Heritage Dinner, and our Christmas Candlelight Tour have been successful. The seven six outbuildings located on the site are considered an important part of the collection and are used regularly in program development. Blacksmithing is demonstrated and taught at the blacksmith shop. Farm tools are located on display in the corn crib; washday demonstrations and soap making are performed in the swept yard near the well and wash house. Occasionally, a special exhibit will be developed and incorporated into the permanent exhibit. Exhibits are not loaned out.

Quarterly newsletter; Portrait of a People: An Ethnic History of Beaumont, Texas