|
|
Bring in the clowns: P.T. Barnum on LI
New exhibit features hundreds of items on loan from the Barnum Museum
|
Have you ridden on the P.T. Barnum lately? You know, the big ferry in the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry line's fleet. Have you driven on Barnum Avenue? Yes, the street in Port Jefferson.
If you have, you may have wondered, "What did P.T. Barnum, the 19th century impresario, the first show business millionaire, have to do with Port Jefferson?" Obviously there had to be a connection, but Barnum was born and died in Connecticut, where he built a number of mansions. In fact, the Barnum museum is located in Bridgeport, Conn.
Barnum, of Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey fame, owned stock in the ferry company and owned land in Port Jefferson as well, with the idea of turning it into a place to house his circus animals. When local protests led him to drop the plan, he built houses along "Brick Hill" instead.
Since Barnum was so closely associated with Long Island, it only seems fitting that an exhibit on him should be opening locally. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will host "Celebrating P.T. Barnum ... the Man" from July 12 through August 23 at its Educational and Cultural Center, daily from 10 am to 5 pm. The exhibit is also an early celebration, a celebration being held in anticipation of Barnum's 200th birthday. He was born in July 5, 1810.
Known as The Great American Showman, Phineas Taylor Barnum was also a newspaper man (he founded a small weekly paper in Connecticut), land developer, Connecticut legislator and more.
But, entertainment formed the core of his being. His museum of curiosities in New York City reportedly attracted 400,000 people a year. He began the circus which would go on to become Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey, the "Greatest Show on Earth."
WMHO, Main Street, Stony Brook will hold the grand opening celebration for the exhibit on Sunday, July 12, from noon to 4 pm. The event will feature a llama petting zoo, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns, juggling, games and much more. Admission to the outdoor grand opening is free.
Inside, visitors will see hundreds of items on loan from The Barnum Museum itself, including "authentic Tom Thumb furniture, Jenny Lind memorabilia, circus artifacts" and much more. Barnum was the one who orchestrated Lind, The Swedish Nightingale's American tour in 1850.
Featured in the exhibit will be a spectacular 32-by-8 foot Miniature Big Top Circus which includes hand carved performers, animal acts and ringmaster. The miniature is from the Charlotte Dinger Collection and was carved by Robert Clarke. Eight motor assemblies drive the 32 individual motions.
Admission to the indoor exhibit is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Exhibit admission includes $1 off coupons for hot dog creations at local village center restaurants. The Country House will serve Barnum's BBQ, the Three Village Inn offers Mini Hot Dog Sliders, Pentimento will have Panini Weenie, Brook House has Philly Cheese Dog, Robinson's Tea Room will offer Opening Day Chilly and The Dish Cafe will serve The Stony Coney.
Noted Marie Gilberti, communications manager of WMHO, "It's going to be a jam packed, phenomenal, exciting exhibit with lots to see."
Gilberti added that not only is the opening going to be on July 12 but the annual Corvette Car Show, presented by the Long Island Corvette Owners Association will be held on that day as well, adjacent to the Educational and Cultural Center. Over 75 one-of-a-kind Corvettes will be on display from 9 am to 3 pm. The car show admission is free. Rain date for the car show is July 19.
So, come for the fun of the opening of the exhibit and stay for the car show.
On July 23 at 6:30 pm, Kathleen Maher, executive director/curator of the Barnum Museum will give a talk on The Life of P.T. Barnum. For further information, call 689-5888.
| |
|
|
|
| |
Copyright 2010
(631) 751-7744 | news@tbrnewspapers.com | www.northshoreoflongisland.com | About |
|
| |
|
