Dear Friends,

Yesterday, the Barnum Museum, a cherished National Historic Landmark in Bridgeport, CT, experienced a boiler explosion.  While this was an unexpected and serious event, we are profoundly grateful to report that no one was injured, and the explosion was confined to the boiler room.  Importantly, the Museum’s invaluable collections were not impacted, as they were located far from the incident.

A comprehensive inspection of the building is currently underway to ensure its structural integrity and assess any collateral damage.  Despite this challenge, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the Museum’s extraordinary restoration journey.

Just this October, we proudly completed a significant phase of our restoration, including the structural stabilization and exterior rehabilitation of this historic icon.  With resilience and determination, we will proceed as planned with the next phase – our interior renovations starting in 2025.  Rest assured, this incident will not delay the timeline for reopening the new, world-class Barnum Museum.

In the meantime, the Museum’s educational programming continues uninterrupted.  We invite you to engage with our award-winning content, including our celebrated YouTube programs, which you can explore here: https://www.youtube.com/@BarnumMuseum/featured.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this moment with the same spirit of perseverance that defines the legacy of P.T. Barnum.  Together, we will ensure that the Barnum Museum emerges stronger than ever as a beacon of history, innovation, and inspiration.

Our sincere gratitude for your kind concern,

Kathleen Maher, Executive Director