100 Things to Do
The Barnum Museum

Jul 16, 2007

PT. Barnum was one of the great characters to come out of Connecticut. He grew up in Bethel and later lived in Bridgeport, where he established his museum at 820 Main Street as the Barnum Institute of Science and History. Now the Barnum Museum, it recounts the colorful life of its founder and his “Greatest Show on Earth.” Among the weird items on display is “Baby Bridgeport,” an elephant born in 1882 at winter quarters in the Park City. Another Bridgeport native in Barnum’s show was Tom Thumb, born Charles Sherwood Stratton in 1838. The museum also pays tribute to the glory days of Bridgeport and its manufacturing heritage. Bethel to Broadway to Bridgeport follows P.T. Barnum’s career to his final years and his many contributions to his adopted city. Hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 to 4:30, and Sundays noon to 4:30. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (4-17), $4 for seniors and college students, and free for children under four.