The Barnum Museum

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

“Just paint it and get it open.”

If only it were that simple.

Behind the doors of The Barnum Museum is a much bigger restoration story than most people realize. Years of hidden damage, structural repairs, preservation work, and careful planning have all been necessary to protect this historic building for the future.

This short video takes you inside the Museum and shares some of what has gone into preserving one of Bridgeport’s most recognizable landmarks.

Follow The Barnum Museum for more restoration updates and stories from behind the scenes.

10/01/2026

“When are you guys going to open?”

It's a question we hear a lot. And we understand why.
The title of this presentation may sound a little ominous, but Kathy has some answers.

Did you know the Museum's recovery has involved everything from FEMA and insurance claims to structural emergencies?
There's a lot more to getting a historic museum ready to reopen than meets the eye.

In “Cheer Up, the Worst Is Yet to Come,” Kathy takes a candid look at what has been happening behind the scenes—and why some things take longer than anyone would like.

If you've ever wondered what is taking so long, this is a good place to start.

Watch the full presentation on YouTube and see what's been happening behind the scenes:
https://youtu.be/-6_UC1S_K2s

We hope you'll take a look. And, as always, we'll keep you posted as the work continues.

The Barnum Museum’s Kathy Maher shares the story of the museum’s re...

08/17/2026

The clock didn’t fall. It jumped.
During a talk at the Bethel Library, Kathleen Maher had just mentioned Seth Seeley, a man with a complicated history with P.T. Barnum.
Seconds later, the clock on the wall came crashing down.
Coincidence? You decide.

05/27/2026

What does a Boston museum owner have to do with P.T. Barnum’s famous Fejee Mermaid?

More than you might think.

Our newest Barnum Museum video looks at Moses Kimball, one of Barnum’s closest friends, collaborators, and fellow museum entrepreneurs. Kimball operated the Boston Museum, exchanged ideas and attractions with Barnum, and helped connect Barnum to one of the most famous curiosities of his early museum career.

The story includes friendship, showmanship, museum competition, and, yes, a monkey-fish “mermaid.”

Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/l2l5PqL0rmk?si=7rkLeedx-_aMFdMh

If you enjoy these short history videos, please like, comment, share, and follow the Barnum Museum. Your engagement helps show support for more digital history content like this.

P.T. Barnum didn’t build his fame alone.One of his closest friends...

05/18/2026

It’s been a while, but we’re back with a new video.

Our latest Barnum Museum video looks at Barnum’s “Living Chinese Family” and the complicated history behind how Chinese performers and culture were presented to nineteenth-century American audiences.

Like many Barnum stories, this one is not simple. It touches on curiosity, entertainment, education, exploitation, racism, and the way performers were promoted at the time.
We’d love for you to watch, share, and let us know what you think.

The Museum wants to keep creating videos like this for the channel, not just Showman’s Shorts, but more stories that help explore Barnum, Bridgeport, and the wider history connected to the collection.

If you’d like to help support the channel and keep these videos coming, let us know. Every share, comment, and bit of interest helps show that people want more of this work.

In this episode of Showman’s Shorts, the Barnum Museum explores P.T...