Date: 7/20/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneAn Introduction to Becoming Barnum: Interview with the Barnum Museum Curator - Episode 1Today, we discuss an exciting museum exhibit, a Bound volume of copied letters in P.T. Barnum's hand, dating from July 1845 to August 1846. This volume contains a wealth of primary information dating to the most significant period in Barnum's early career. This book dates to Barnum's 1844-1846 tour of Europe, during which he introduced his star performer, Charles S. Stratton (1838 -1883), better known by his stage name "General Tom Thumb," to European heads of state, royalty, and the public. The letters date to Barnum's and Stratton's travels in France, following a highly successful year in England where Stratton was granted multiple audiences with Queen Victoria. Barnum's letters contain anecdotes of the trip, and information about how he organized the performances at each location, how much he paid people for their services, the venues he rented, and so on.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQLet us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Date: 7/27/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneA Bit of France in Bridgeport, Connecticut - Episode 2Barnum’s travels in France had influenced his vision for his beloved Bridgeport; this was clearly revealed by what he chose to tell the Atlas readers. Barnum adopted Bridgeport, Connecticut, as his hometown in 1847, and after that, until he died in 1891, he had a great deal to do with its development, even serving as Mayor for a term.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: A Bit of France in Bridgeport, CThttps://barnum-museum.org/barnums-park-city-bit-france-bridgeport/Piling up the tin!  Barnum and Tom Thumb seek their fortune in Francehttps://barnum-museum.org/piling-up-the-tin/The General’s Clothes and Carriage Stir Up Excitementhttps://barnum-museum.org/thegeneralsclothes/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Date: 8/10/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune“A Touch of Yankee” Solves a Problem - Episode 3Mr. Barnum was infuriated by the demands of the Hospice Commissioners who expected a far larger percentage of the gross receipts than Barnum felt reasonable.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: “A Touch of Yankee” Solves a Problemhttps://barnum-museum.org/atouchofyankee/“An Awful Great Fire in NY”https://barnum-museum.org/an-awful-great-fire-in-ny-in-1845/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Date: 8/24/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune The Beginnings of Iranistan  - Episode 4Barnum’s homesickness coincided with and perhaps fueled his desire to begin building a country home for his family. Barnum writes about a future grand home in Bridgeport, Iranistan, just in the early planning stage.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumbooklethttps://tinyurl.com/tavelersBarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/CollectionMenuhttps://tinyurl.com/trustbarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: The Beginnings of Iranistanhttps://barnum-museum.org/the-beginnings-of-iranistan/Barnum on “Humbugging & Puffing”https://barnum-museum.org/humbugging-and-puffing/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Date: 8/03/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneA Mountain of Worries - Episode 5In this episode, we delve into a new “batch” of the letters P. T. Barnum wrote while in France and sent back to his family and business associates in America.  These letters have a different tone from the letters written in preceding weeks.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/BarnumDaughtershttps://tinyurl.com/TomDrawingshttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: A Mountain of Worrieshttps://barnum-museum.org/amountainofworries/Plenty of Fun in “Bridgepork”https://barnum-museum.org/bridgepork/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/

Date: 8/17/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune A New Play for the General - Episode 6P. T. Barnum’s famous protegee Charles Stratton, known to the world as Gen. Tom Thumb, was quite a young child when he was first introduced to European audiences in the mid-1840s.  Though he was 5, 6, and 7 over the three-year tour, Barnum billed him as five or six years older to make his diminutive stature seem all the more impressive. Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: A New Play for the Generalhttps://barnum-museum.org/a-new-play-for-the-general/Arranging All the Affairshttps://barnum-museum.org/arranging-all-the-affairs/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Date: 8/24/22BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune They Stared with All the Eyes They Had  - Episode 7Have you ever tried to envision a visit to Barnum’s American Museum?  I find it is a feat of the imagination to reconcile exterior pictures of the museum with the sheer quantity and variety of artifacts, animals, and activities offered within—supposedly over 600,000 itemsLearn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumbooklethttps://tinyurl.com/tavelersBarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/CollectionMenuhttps://tinyurl.com/trustbarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/PicofNYChttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: They Stared with All the Eyes They Hadhttps://barnum-museum.org/they-stared-with-all-the-eyes-they-had/“A Capital Dodge for Us”https://barnum-museum.org/a-capital-dodge-for-us/Well-dressed Dinnershttps://barnum-museum.org/well-dressed-dinners/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune Story Updates, and a Daughter’s Education  - Episode 8Back in Episode, A Mountain of Worries, we had wondered how Charity dealt with a rather harsh letter from her husband, written on September 12th, 1845.  Would she reply or remain silent for a while?Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumbooklethttps://tinyurl.com/tavelersBarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/CollectionMenuhttps://tinyurl.com/trustbarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: Story Updates, and a Daughter’s Educationhttps://barnum-museum.org/carolines-education/A Most Determined Devotion to Businesshttps://barnum-museum.org/a-most-determined-devotion-to-business/ Novelties and Schemeshttps://barnum-museum.org/novelties-and-schemes/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

Curiosity got the better of our curator Adrienne after reading another of P. T. Barnum’s letters in which he mentioned the Frenchman who worked for him at the American Museum, plus a letter directly to him responding to concerns about his salary.

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneMy Success Has Been a Miracle  - Episode 10One of the many “beauties” of P. T. Barnum’s copybook letters from 1845-1846 is that they provide insights into Barnum’s attitudes toward money just at the point in his life when he had become incredibly rich. Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumbooklethttps://tinyurl.com/tavelersBarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/CollectionMenuhttps://tinyurl.com/trustbarnumhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: My Success Has Been a Miraclehttps://barnum-museum.org/my-success-has-been-a-miracle/Becoming a First Rate Showmanhttps://barnum-museum.org/becoming-a-first-rate-showman/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneSouvenir Medals, and a Snug Saloon to Draw and Read In  - Episode 11As we’ve learned from the July – October 1845 correspondence between Barnum and his business associates, the Tom Thumb tour through France, outside of Paris, had not lived up to his expectations of financial reward.  The copybook letters begin after the entourage had left Paris, and Barnum’s references to the performances there tell us that portion of the tour was extremely successfulLearn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: Souvenir Medals, and a Snug Saloon to Draw and Read Inhttps://barnum-museum.org/souvenir-medals/Pantomime Engagements for the Holidayshttps://barnum-museum.org/pantomime-engagements-for-the-holidays/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneRead & Reflect, Then Do as You Please  - Episode 12Over the past few months of reading Barnum’s letters in his 1845-1846 copybook, I have been surprised to find relatively few to Charity, his wife.  Though it is clear that Barnum missed his wife and daughters very much while he was in France, correspondence thus far suggests a marital relationship that was often out of sync, compounded by Charity’s chronic health problems.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: Read & Reflect, Then Do as You Pleasehttps://barnum-museum.org/read-and-reflect/News in a Postscript: “My Present Ideas”https://barnum-museum.org/news-in-a-postscript/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneA Tree Found, Tried & Shook  - Episode 13Since we are well into “apple season” here in New England (as well as in neighboring New York State, the country’s second biggest apple-producer), the title phrase of this week’s blog—plucked from a P. T. Barnum letter—seemed ripe for picking. Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: A Tree Found, Tried & Shookhttps://barnum-museum.org/a-tree-found/First-Rate Attractions for the American Museumhttps://barnum-museum.org/first-rate-attractions-for-the-american-museum/“Illusions” at the American Museum https://barnum-museum.org/illusions-at-the-american-museum/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune“The Laborer is Worthy of his Hire”  - Episode 14In previous letters we’ve gotten to know some of the key staff members of P. T. Barnum’s team at the American Museum in New York, by piecing together details from the letters Barnum wrote in France.  Learning about their responsibilities and gaining insights into their personalities—at least, insofar as we can infer this from Barnum’s correspondence—has been an intriguing process.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Posts this episode is based on: “The Laborer is Worthy of his Hire”https://barnum-museum.org/the-laborer-is-worthy-of-his-hire/“A Heart to Feel for Others More”https://barnum-museum.org/a-heart-to-feel-for-others-more/Hard Feelings about “Soft Soap” https://barnum-museum.org/hard-feelings-about-soft-soap/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneBarnum & Catlin  - Episode 15In this episode we’ll explore the connection between P. T. Barnum and another famous showman, a lawyer-turned-artist, George Catlin.  Catlin’s early 19th century portraits of Native Americans are his most famous legacy, but like Barnum he possessed the determination to seek success in many arenas.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: Barnum & Catlinhttps://barnum-museum.org/barnum-and-catlin/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneTrumpets, “Venus,” and a Young Man, All Heading to America  - Episode 16In this Episode of Becoming Barnum,  we’ll follow up on the status of new attractions Barnum planned for his American Museum in New York, and learn about another of his “good turns” to help out a friend.  The latter is mainly interesting for the window it provides on Barnum’s views of America as he explains them to the London-based “Mr. and Mrs. Collins.”  The Collins, Barnum told his museum manager, are “the best friends I have in Europe.” Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: Trumpets, “Venus,” and a Young Man, All Heading to Americahttps://barnum-museum.org/trumpets_venus/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneMy Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Home  - Episode 17In this Episode of Becoming Barnum, it feels most fitting to highlight P. T. Barnum’s letters home to his wife, sister, and daughter.  These letters were composed in the mid-November 1845 timeframe we have been exploring, when Barnum was in Paris.  In almost every letter, whether to family or business associates, we see the refrain that he anticipated sailing home to America in the new year along with Gen. Tom Thumb‘s entourage.  However, because the profitability of business was unpredictable, he cautioned that he might not return for some months to come.  Barnum hoped the General’s performances would be a hit in Paris, and more so in London over the holiday season, but after that it would be a game of “wait and see” in regard to planning another tour of the British Isles.  The downside to his potential financial success would mean staying overseas longer, which would prolong the feelings of homesickness.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: My Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Homehttps://barnum-museum.org/my-mind-is-occupied/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneTell Me Plainly What You Think  - Episode 18This episode of Becoming Barnum discusses another uncomfortable truth about showing human beings as curiosities, as we learn directly from Barnum. This letter came up in the same November 1845 timeframe as the letter with his proposal to Catlin. Still, it warrants a separate discussion concerning the exhibition of people with genetic abnormalities. To be sure, this topic is complex and not something we would hope to be discussing. At the same time, exploring Barnum’s family and business relationships in these letters is exciting if we skip over the hard stuff on this journey to discover the man P. T. Barnum as he was in his mid-thirties, through his own words.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: Tell Me Plainly What You Thinkhttps://barnum-museum.org/tell-me-plainly-what-you-think/Plans Good and Badhttps://barnum-museum.org/plans-good-and-bad/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneA Jolly Lot of Brother Showman  - Episode 19This episode of Becoming Barnum discusses some of his lengthy epistles to the Editors of the New York Atlas, for whom Barnum was acting as a foreign correspondent. This week we think listeners  will particularly enjoy for the information about circus and menagerie showmen, as well as other famous entertainers whose names would be familiar to many in Barnum’s time.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: A Jolly Lot of Brother Showmanhttps://barnum-museum.org/a-jolly-lot-of-brother-showmen/Grand Agent Yankee Showman https://barnum-museum.org/the-grand-agent-of-yankee-showmen/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneWe Have Got Quite Territory Enough  - Episode 20This episode of Becoming Barnum discusses letters containing political remarks and comments about war—content somewhat different from what we’ve seen up to this point. Barnum was not referring to the Mexican-American War. Still, there is a connection between the Mexican-American War and the potential war with England that he was writing about—a war that didn’t happen, thankfully.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandteahttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/TThumbTokenhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: We Have Got Quite Territory Enoughhttps://barnum-museum.org/we-have-got-quite-territory-enough/Kings and Queens and Talk of Many Things https://barnum-museum.org/kings-and-queens-and-talk-of-many-things/Let us know your thoughts by writing a review for the Podcast!Want to follow and support the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut in more ways?  Follow us on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BarnumMuseumInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseumFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseumTwitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseumWebsite: https://barnum-museum.org/​​Click to Donate!  It’s easy and supports the Barnum Museum’s programs, restoration, and ongoing mission to make people happy!https://barnum-museum.org/donate/Join as a Member or Sponsor and be part of the Barnum Museum family in Bridgeport CT!https://barnum-museum.org/membership/Episode sponsored by:People’s United Bank: https://www.peoples.com/CTHumanities: https://cthumanities.org/City of Bridgeport: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/Please share this podcast episode with your friends!