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.
