Please click below to donate now and thank you!

Dear Friends,

Tornado Recovery Appeal

It is hard to express how touched we are that so many colleagues, neighbors, and friends have reached out to The Barnum Museum after the tornado hit Bridgeport on June 24th. The devastation throughout the City is truly unbelievable, and miraculously, no one was severely hurt from the rage of the storm.

The people of Bridgeport demonstrated a remarkable benevolent spirit of caring, compassion, resilience, and the City's resolve to persevere and move forward was clearly seen as Bridgeport's services and community members banded together to assist the many affected families, shops and business's. We witnessed thousands of age-old trees and tons of debris cleaned from the streets of the largest city in the State of Connecticut, and hundreds of people running to the aid of strangers, reaffirming Mr. Barnum's core belief in the 'goodness of human-kind.'

Barnum wrote after the devastation of one of his business enterprises:
"The situation was disheartening, but I had energy, experience, health and hope."

It is estimated that well over 800 artifacts will need to be reviewed and hundreds will require conservation. Exhibition rooms require specialized cleaning and carpets must be replaced due to glass embedded in the pile. A team of conservators, historic architects, environmental and structural engineers has begun assessing the situation to determine the scope of work necessary for immediate action, and the Museum staff and volunteers are envisioning new ways to serve our local, regional and global constituents as we emerge anew.

The Barnum Museum is dedicated to rising to the challenges we are now facing in the aftermath of the tornado as we examine, restore and re-engage the glory of the Museum for all to enjoy. P.T. Barnum never let his public down, and to honor the Great American Showman, we hope you will stand with us as we begin our recovery efforts.

We humbly ask you to please consider making a donation to support The Barnum Museum's recovery. Your generous contribution will provide us with much needed funds.

Best regards,

Kathleen Maher
Executive Director/Curator
kmaher@barnum-museum.org

P.T. Barnum's treasured 1847 Iranistan Library furniture being moved out of harms way minutes after the tornado struck the Museum on June 24, 2010.

As we proceed with this massive conservation effort, the Museum will continue to offer programming and exhibitions in our People's United Bank Gallery, and we anticipate a portion of the historic Museum will be re-opened for guests to enjoy.

Thank you so much for your kind support during this challenging time.

Please click below to donate now and thank you!


The main Barnum Museum building is currently closed to the public
in the aftermath of the recent tornado.

Events and exhibits in the People's United Bank gallery
are still scheduled and open to the public.


Museum Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 Noon - 4:30 PM

Last admission to the Museum is at 3:45 PM

General Admission: Adults $8,
Seniors and college students $6,
Children age 4-17 $5
and under 4 free.
Bridgeport residents are free on Thursdays this summer
and Barnum's Kids Club members free all year.

Tuesday August 3 - Friday August 6
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. daily

Celebrate National Clown Week Events

Make a different clown or circus craft each day. It is not necessary to attend daily, just come to any of these drop-in programs for plenty of fun learning. Designed for children age 3 to 12 years old. Free Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown noses for all and enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets and the chance to be a guest clown on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Arena ay Harbor Yard when The Greatest Show On Earth® returns to Bridgeport. Free for Kids Club Members!

Tuesday - Tie making
Wednesday - Juggling balls
Thursday - Clown Hat making
Friday - Ribbon sticks

Tuesday, August 3
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Clown Craft- Tie Making

From 2-3pm, help us celebrate National Clown Week as we make clown ties.
General Admission. Free for Kids Club Members!

Wednesday, August 4
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Clown Craft-Juggling Balls

From 2-3pm, help us celebrate National Clown Week as we make juggling balls.
General Admission. Free for Kids Club Members!

Thursday, August 5
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Clown Craft- Hat Making

From 2-3pm, help us celebrate National Clown Week as we make clown hats.
General Admission. Free for Kids Club Members!

Friday, August 6
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Clown Craft-Ribbon Sticks

From 2-3pm, help us celebrate National Clown Week as we make ribbon sticks.
General Admission. Free for Kids Club Members!

Celebrating the Spirit of P.T. Barnum
Energy, Vitality, Balance

David Millen Sculpture Exhibition



Through Sunday, January 2, 2011
Daily museum hours

Presented at The Barnum Museum

Enjoy the lively, wonderful sculptures of North Haven Connecticut artist David Millen as the Museum features a selection of his circus themed creations. In the words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, "The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless." A celebration of the boundless human spirit, the exhibition is a timeless combination of old and new, classical in structure, yet elegant in simplicity and form.

The exhibit will be free during this time when the core exhibitions are closed due to damage from the June 24 tornado, but donations of any amount are truly appreciated.




RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY®
CONTRIBUTES $10,000 TO THE BARNUM MUSEUM
IN HONOR OF P.T. BARNUM'S 200TH BIRTHDAY

Feld Entertainment, Inc., producers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presented The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut with a contribution of $10,000 in honor of Phineas Taylor Barnum's 200th birthday. The funds will help support the museum's continued preservation and restoration efforts of the famed showman's papers, unique curiosities and artifacts...more information.

Click for photos and news articles
from P.T. Barnum's 200th Birthday Bash!

A Year of Fun
Your Kid's Will Never Forget!

Join the best Kids Club
at The Barnum Museum

...Fun and Learning
in the P.T. Barnum Tradition...

Children in grade K-5 will enjoy
a whole year’s worth
of fascinating activities and programs
at the Barnum Museum for just $10.

With club membership,
your child’s admission is
always free with one paid adult admission.

Club members get
a special membership card,
a welcome bag
and the opportunity to learn,
make new friends
and have lots of fun for an entire year.

The Barnum ‘s Kids Club is like no other!

Sign up today by stopping at the museum,
calling 203-331-1104 ext. 102,
or e-mailing Jaime Knoedler .

Give your child something they will remember for years to come.


 

 

 

The Barnum Museum | 820 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06604 | phone: 203-331-1104 | fax: 203-331-0079

Celebrating the 200th birthday of Phineas Taylor Barnum, born July 5, 1810 in Bethel CT, during 2010 The Barnum Museum will chronicle the life and times of this extraordinary showman and the history of Bridgeport where Barnum served as Mayor. For a complete listing of anniversary year events celebrating this amazing - and sometimes outrageous - showman, civic leader and politician, visit our Calendar page. The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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Images owned by The Barnum Museum, Bridgeport, CT.
 ©The Barnum Museum - All Rights Reserved

 

Our special thanks to: