An Introduction to Becoming Barnum: Interview with Barnum Museum Curator

Date: 7/20/22

BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune

An Introduction to Becoming Barnum: Interview with the Barnum Museum Curator - Episode 1

Today, 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/barnumletters

https://youtu.be/2KBRqgr_uGQ

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