Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Phineas Taylor...what a guy!

There's nothing like going to a museum on a Sunday afternoon, even if the weather was beautiful this past Sunday and we "should" have been enjoying the great outdoors.
We went to The Barnum Museum not far from where we live in southern Connecticut. As you can see the exterior is beautiful.
We learned a few interesting things about Phineas Taylor Barnum, American showman extraordinaire.
He was born in Bethel, Ct. in 1810 and died in Bridgeport, Ct. in 1891.
Contrary to popular belief, historians say Barnum never said "there's a sucker born every minute," a phrase associated with him.
He is probably best known for promoting General Tom Thumb, a man who was only 3' 8" tall, and whose real name was Charles Sherwood Stratton and Jumbo the African elephant he bought from the London Zoo.
Barnum started The Greatest Show on Earth, which years later became Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.
He even became mayor of Bridgeport in 1875.
I don't want to bore folks with any more history. But I do believe it's fun to get to know the history of your hometown or state. There's plenty of it to be found, and it's always fascinating to learn something new.

Class dismissed.

12 comments:

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

he has (had) a place in Ft. Myers too. interesting...

smiles, bee

Patti said...

yes, he was interesting. And quite a wealthy dude.

Mimi Lenox said...

Thank you, teacher. That was fascinating!

Can we go to recess now?

Patti said...

Recess?? recess?? how are you going to get into college??????

Odat said...

Thanks for the lesson...very interesting!
Peace

the moose buyer said...

I am the biggest fan of PT Barnum and would have loved the chance to visit his American Museum in it's heyday in turn of the last Century N.Y with the Elephants and all sort of strange things and people. What a place that must have been!!!!

Patti said...

Odat: just wait until my next history lesson...

Moosie: you would love this place then!

Linda said...

I never ever tire of reading posts that talk about history. Bring 'em on, I love 'em!

I've heard about this museum but just haven't gotten down to that end of the state to check it out. Maybe one of these days I'll get the ambition that drive that dreaded 95 corridor!

Thank you also, Patti, for visiting Cyndi's blog and leaving her a comment. I so appreciate the kindness that has been extended to her by the blogging community and I think she is somewhat flabbergasted by the whole thing but in a good way. Thank you again!

Lynn said...

Thanks for the lesson...what about 'Bailey'? Was he mentioned at the museum?

Patti said...

Linda: I hope you get there some time. It's a nice, quiet museum to wander through.

Lynn: A little bit, but Barnum led quite a flamboyant life before he met Bailey and the focus is on him.

Joan said...

You'd make a great librarian...ever thought of it???

Patti said...

can't say that I have, Joan. Not since elementary school, anyway