Becoming Barnum: The Journey to Fame and Fortune

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune

We Have Got Quite Territory Enough  - Episode 20

This 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• We Have Got Quite Territory Enough

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

A Jolly Lot of Brother Showman  - Episode 19

This 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• A Jolly Lot of Brother Showman

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

Tell Me Plainly What You Think  - Episode 18

This 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• Tell Me Plainly What You Think

https://barnum-museum.org/tell-me-plainly-what-you-think/

• Plans Good and Bad

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

My Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Home  - Episode 17

In 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• My Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Home

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

Trumpets, “Venus,” and a Young Man, All Heading to America  - Episode 16

In 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• Trumpets, “Venus,” and a Young Man, All Heading to America

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

Barnum & Catlin  - Episode 15

In 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on: 

• Barnum & Catlin

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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 14

In 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read 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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

A Tree Found, Tried & Shook  - Episode 13

Since 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Posts this episode is based on: 

• A Tree Found, Tried & Shook

https://barnum-museum.org/a-tree-found/

• First-Rate Attractions for the American Museum

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

Read & Reflect, Then Do as You Please  - Episode 12

Over 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/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Posts this episode is based on: 

• Read & Reflect, Then Do as You Please

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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

Souvenir Medals, and a Snug Saloon to Draw and Read In  - Episode 11

As 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 successful

Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here: 

https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Posts this episode is based on: 

• Souvenir Medals, and a Snug Saloon to Draw and Read In

https://barnum-museum.org/souvenir-medals/

• Pantomime Engagements for the Holidays

https://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/BarnumMuseum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnummuseum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnummuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barnummuseum

Website: 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!