Becoming Barnum: The Journey to Fame and Fortune

Welcome to this bonus episode of "Becoming Barnum: The Journey to Fame and Fortune." In this episode, we delve into the lesser-known aspects of P.T. Barnum's life, particularly his writings and his faith.As we've discovered throughout this podcast, Barnum had a talent for writing and was a prolific letter writer. Before his circus days, he even published the Herald of Freedom newspaper in Danbury, Connecticut. However, his outspoken opinions led to his imprisonment for a sixty-day sentence. True to his nature, Barnum turned this adversity into an opportunity for profit. Not only did he continue publishing his paper while in jail, but he also expanded his subscriber list and shamelessly promoted himself. Additionally, during this period, he contributed articles to the New York Atlas newspaper.Beyond his newspaper endeavors, Barnum wrote several books. The most well-known among them is his autobiography, which underwent multiple revisions over the years. He also penned a self-help book titled "The Art of Money Getting," reflecting his insights on financial success.Throughout our exploration of Barnum's letters, we discovered that he rarely discussed his Christian faith explicitly. While he alluded to it on occasion, his correspondence primarily focused on business and personal matters rather than matters of religion, faith, or philosophy. Nevertheless, it was evident that Barnum's deep faith in God served as an undercurrent in his letters, providing him solace during times of worry and anxiety, such as when he feared for the health of his daughter Helen or the well-being of his wife during childbirth.Barnum's faith was an integral part of his worldview, albeit with a unique twist. Although he identified as a Christian, he subscribed to Universalism—a belief in the salvation of all people. This perspective differed from the majority of Christian denominations, which endorse some form of limited salvation for the chosen few or those who profess their faith in God.During Barnum's time, the Universalist church was a prominent and vibrant Christian denomination, distinct from the Unitarian church with which it now shares a name. Unitarians rejected the orthodox Christian doctrine of the Trinity, while Universalists maintained a typical Trinitarian belief system, with the exception of their universalist stance on salvation. Notable figures, including John Adams, were Unitarians.In 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged, giving rise to the Unitarian-Universalist Association that exists today.In this episode, we present Barnum's own words on his Universalist beliefs. We feature his short article titled "Why I am a Universalist," a response to an English Secularist's tract called "The Christian Doctrine of Hell." Barnum's article was originally published in the Christian World newspaper in London. It was later included in a booklet published by the Universalist Church in 1897. For those interested, we have provided a link to the booklet in the show notes.Join us as we delve into P.T. Barnum's unique faith and explore his thoughts on Universalism in this thought-provoking episode.[Link to the booklet: Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11134/110002:5496]

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneThe Journey to Fame and FortuneLearn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://archive.org/details/historylocofoco02byrdgoog/page/n6/mode/2uphttps://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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!

Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://archive.org/details/historylocofoco02byrdgoog/page/n6/mode/2uphttps://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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 FortuneIgniting Interest: Barnum’s Views on the Loco-Foco Party  Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://archive.org/details/historylocofoco02byrdgoog/page/n6/mode/2uphttps://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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 FortuneI Entrust You with a Small Secret  - Episode 35In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, P.T. Barnum makes a secret trip back to America to check on his wife's health. With conflicting thoughts about returning home, Barnum's plan involves surprising his loved ones without anyone knowing. While Gen. Tom Thumb and his father, Sherwood Stratton, continue their performances in London, Barnum works tirelessly to ensure everything is correct. Tune in now to discover how Barnum pulled off his plan.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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 FortuneInstructive Entertainments: Early 19th Century Panoramas - Episode 34In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, P.T. Barnum rented breathtaking panoramas for his museum from a Scottish painter named Marshall. But he was afraid Marshall would charge extra if he found out Barnum wanted to send them to other museums. So, Barnum schemed to get the panoramas cheaply, even considering copying them. Eventually, he agreed to pay 6000 francs, after shaving off 2000 from another artist's quote. Barnum was determined to get a first-rate artist to paint the scenes, but refused to pay in advance. Tune in now for Barnum's relentless efforts to ensure everything is perfect.If you didn’t have an opportunity to see it at Mystic Seaport or at the New Bedford Whaling Museum you can learn about the exhibition, titled Spectacle in Motion, and see videos on their websites:https://www.whalingmuseum.org/exhibition/original-spectacle-in-motion/https://www.mysticseaport.org/exhibit/the-grand-panorama/Or you can enjoy the voyage via a digital story-map created by Michael Lapides and Christina Sewall–which is a really great way to learn about it too.https://nbwm.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=19513a5d13964a48aa9d00973c8a9674Let 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 FortuneImitators & Followers will get Poor Gleanings - Episode 33In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, P.T. Barnum was managing multiple projects and corresponding with agents and friends in London and Paris. He commissioned copies of two paintings from an American artist in France and hoped to commission a large-scale painting of a pivotal moment in American history. He also had plans for statues to install around the perimeter of the American Museum's rooftop. Barnum relied on trusted agents like Monsieur Huet to keep things moving forward and remained dedicated, strategic, and persistent to make his vision a reality. Don't miss the drama and excitement in this episode! Tune in now and experience Barnum's journey as he works tirelessly to ensure everything is correct.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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!

Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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 FortunePoetical Puffing - Episode 31In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, Barnum was worried about his employees at the American Museum. He wanted Emile Guillaudeu to create a pose for a pony's skin that suggested motion with dignity and speed, but it is uncertain if he was successful. Professor Swift had difficulty setting up the museum's new projection equipment, but Barnum thought the Physioscope was excellent and urged Swift not to give up on it.Don't miss the drama and excitement in this episode! Tune in now and experience Barnum's journey as he works tirelessly to make sure everything is just right.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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!

In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, join us as we follow Barnum as he tries to navigate a problem at the theater and make sure everything is running smoothly. He's also eager to get a play about General Tom Thumb ready for an audience. Despite the play not being ready yet, Barnum is in London waiting for it and writes letters to his friends for help. Eventually, he gets the play and makes a big announcement in the newspaper about the General's upcoming performance. Don't miss the drama and excitement in this episode! Tune in now and experience Barnum's journey as he works tirelessly to make sure everything is just right.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!

P.T. Barnum purchased an "Anatomical Venus" figure in Paris for his American Museum in New York. This was a lifelike wax figure, with internal organs arranged in a cavity within the torso, for display and teaching purposes. The figure was a considerable investment and required skill in sculpting and knowledge of anatomy. Barnum directed it to be shipped to Dr. Tuttle for the purpose of avoiding duties and having a medical person associated with the exhibit. The unpacking of the figure required utmost care and was to be done by a medical person to avoid damage or dirtiness. The exhibit was to be displayed in a separate room and with clean cushions.

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneA Good Education is Better than Riches- Episode 28In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, we explore 2 letters from P.T. Barnum to daughter Caroline & wife Charity. He emphasizes the importance of education, particularly the French language and subjects like botany and biology. He also expresses admiration for family members who value education. This episode offers a unique look at Barnum's views on female education and family relationships.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanLet 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 FortuneDo the Best You Can for Yourself - Episode 27In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, we bring you P.T. Barnum's own words as he writes to his manager Fordyce Hitchcock, laying out his plans for the American Museum. Discover his strategy to avoid misunderstandings and disagreements between the two men. Learn about the creation of his popular exhibition "Happy Family" in which he featured a collection of animals living together in harmony, and how he replicated it for the museum. Don't miss out on these unique insights into the legendary showman, P.T. Barnum.Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchivehttps://tinyurl.com/FAMILY-EXHIBITORhttps://tinyurl.com/Barnumletterhttps://tinyurl.com/John-Austinhttps://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletterhttps://tinyurl.com/nywondershttps://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeaturehttps://tinyurl.com/barnumlettershttps://tinyurl.com/iranistanRead the Blog Post this episode is based on: Do the Best You Can for Yourselfhttps://barnum-museum.org/do-the-best-you-can-for-yourself/The Secret has Cost Me Much Trouble https://barnum-museum.org/the-secret-has-cost-me-much-trouble/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 FortuneGoing It Like a Rush - Episode 26In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, we dive into P.T. Barnum's 1846 letters to his uncle Alanson Taylor. He shares his business advice for their partnership in the Baltimore Museum, emphasizing the importance of good systems, press relations, and gradual improvements. He also expresses disdain for previous museum managers and their lack of physical improvements. Join us as we explore Barnum's business acumen and approach to managing a museum. Don't forget to tune in for more insights on the legendary showman, P.T. Barnum. 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: Going It Like a Rushhttps://barnum-museum.org/going-it-like-a-rush/How to Do Business in Baltimore https://barnum-museum.org/how-to-do-business-in-baltimore/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 New Chapter for a New Year   - Episode 25In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, A “new chapter” is about to begin in P. T. Barnum’s business life as we learn from a group of letters he composed—appropriately—on New Year’s Day in 1846.  Barnum had just arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, after two days in Newcastle upon Tyne, where Gen. Tom Thumb performed.  Even in their brief time there, Barnum had managed to write several letters to correspondents in America, but no sooner were these crossing the ocean than a new batch requiring answers was delivered to him in Scotland. 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 New Chapter for a New Yearhttps://barnum-museum.org/a-new-chapter-for-a-new-year/An Array of Museums https://barnum-museum.org/an-array-of-museums/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 FortuneI Never Wish to be a Millionaire   - Episode 24In this episode of the Becoming Barnum podcast, P.T. Barnum addresses that he is aware that his wife Charity is pregnant. This information is revealed in letters written by Barnum in December of 1845, only ten weeks before the birth of their fourth daughter, Pauline. The episode also touches on the potential strain on their relationship due to Barnum's lack of awareness of Charity's pregnancy, with Barnum believing that her loneliness and health complaints were not significant compared to his own struggles in Europe and that her low spirits had no real cause.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: I Never Wish to be a Millionairehttps://barnum-museum.org/i-never-wish-to-be-a-millionaire/A Desire to Save the Souls of Menhttps://barnum-museum.org/a-desire-to-save-the-souls-of-men/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 FortuneBills and Boardmen   - Episode 23In this episode of Becoming Barnum, P. T. Barnum works to promote Gen. Tom Thumb's performances in London using various methods of advertising, including handbills and vans. The episode also explores Barnum's relationship with his father, Sherwood Stratton. Don't miss out on the latest episodes of Becoming Barnum. Subscribe now to stay up to date on P. T. Barnum's journey to becoming the greatest showman.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: Bills and Boardmenhttps://barnum-museum.org/bills-and-boardmen/Extra Exertions in Dull Timeshttps://barnum-museum.org/extra-exertions-in-dull-times/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!

Thank you for listening to 'Becoming Barnum: The Journey to Fame and Fortune.' We will be taking a break for the holidays but will return in the new year with more stories about P.T. Barnum and Tom Thumb. Subscribe to stay updated and let us know what you think by leaving a review. Happy holidays from the 'Becoming Barnum' team.

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and FortuneLast Letters from France   - Episode 22This episode of Becoming Barnum, Barnum sits  down to write letters to various family members, plus one to his museum manager who was “like family” to Barnum, and another to the father of Gen. Tom Thumb, Sherwood Stratton, who was still in Paris.  Taking the opportunity to write that day was smart as Barnum would be able to get the U.S.-bound letters on a steamship quickly, and because once he got to London, his time would be consumed with the arrangements for Tom Thumb’s performances.  The family correspondence includes letters to his wife Charity, and to each of their daughters, his half-brother Philo, and his niece Minerva, plus a message of instructions to his sister Cordelia who was then living with Charity.  This is the first time we’ve seen a letter to his mother in the copybook!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: The Old American is Bound to Do Wonders Yethttps://barnum-museum.org/the-old-american-is-bound-to-do-wonders-yet/Pancakes & Short Cakes & Oystershttps://barnum-museum.org/pancakes-short-cakes-oysters/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 FortuneThe Old American is Bound to Do Wonders Yet  - Episode 21This episode of Becoming Barnum discusses letters at the end of November 1845; P. T. Barnum's wide-ranging ambitions seem tamped down a bit, at least insofar as his communication to his American Museum manager Fordyce Hitchcock tells us. While it can probably never be said that Barnum was "content" with things as they stood in business matters, he seemed to be relatively so concerned about the museum at this time. He was anxious to withdraw from the speculations he had suggested to Hitchcock in previous letters. Perhaps this was due to his homesickness, ambiguous state of health, and the uncertainty of making another large "pile of tin" for the second time in England. Even in Paris, going before King Louis-Philippe had only gained them "lots of glory—but we don't make any money," as he admitted to Hitchcock. 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: The Old American is Bound to Do Wonders Yethttps://barnum-museum.org/the-old-american-is-bound-to-do-wonders-yet/Pancakes & Short Cakes & Oystershttps://barnum-museum.org/pancakes-short-cakes-oysters/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!

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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!

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 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!

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!

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: 8/03/22BECOMING 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: 8/24/22BECOMING 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: 8/10/22BECOMING 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: 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: 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!