Barnum Museum

P. T. Barnum's impact reaches deep into our American heritage and the story of his vast contributions are preserved in his Bridgeport, Connecticut, museum.  The Barnum Museum building was completed in 1893 as The Barnum Institute of Science and History.  Today it is one of America's national treasures, conceived of and funded by P. T. Barnum, and the only extant building directly associated with him.  Its ornate and exotic Romanesque Revival style has earned it recognition as "a triumph of memorable architecture."  The Barnum Museum's diverse collections include thousands of objects and documents, many pertaining to P. T. Barnum, his family, and his famous associates such as Bridgeport native, "Gen. Tom Thumb," as well as items from the Institute's scientific, ethnographic, and early historical collections.  The core of the Barnum Museum Digital Collection pertains to P. T. Barnum and his associates; the Digital Collection will continue to expand with material drawn from other sub-collections.