I hope you are enjoying the weekly posts as much as I am!
The letters enclosed within this extraordinary Copy Book are providing the most fascinating insights to Barnum’s life. There are thousands-upon-thousands of letters and documents in collections all over the world, but very few reveal his personal passions or his heartfelt emotions. What we mostly know about Barnum’s personal world is the calculation and the strategy of his enterprises – how he walked through his day constantly negotiating and measuring outcomes of his next adventure. Not atypical of his genre, very few times does Barnum share powerful emotional observations. In most of his writing, he conceals his personal affections and sentiments in privacy and, perhaps, noble isolation. The Copy Book is giving us a new, deep-dive into P.T. Barnum. Week after week, we’re discovering layers to his character, new desires and ambitions, and a true, deep love for his family. You’re learning with us!
We are so grateful you are joining us on this fascinating journey through these never-before read letters. They are an open window to the past. It is a joy to have you along for this compelling, and dare I say enchanting ride back in time!
We welcome you to help the Barnum Museum with our Show Must Go On Appeal!
https://barnum-museum.org/The-Show-Must-Go-On-Appeal/
In order to keep bringing you these wonderful stories, we hope you will consider making a contribution. This year’s appeal is essential to help fund our new, innovative virtual media initiatives and enable us to continue to spark interest and imagination for all those we serve. Please know that we genuinely appreciate your gift of any amount ; it will be carefully stewarded, and it is critical to the financial and educational health of the Barnum Museum for now and for generations to come.
And as always, my sincerest thanks!
Stay well, stay strong!
Kathleen Maher,
Executive Director