From the Barnum Museum:
The Barnum Museum People’s United Bank Gallery is now decorated with a large, glorious Victorian Christmas tree in celebration of the holidays and the Celebrate the Season talks being presented again this year. The holiday displays will be up during regular museum hours at The Barnum Museum through January 9, 2010.
Thurs., Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. – Christmas with the Clemens Family. A special presentation will be given at The Barnum Museum by Patti Philippon, Chief Curator at the Mark Twain House & Museum will talk about the Samuel Langhorne Clemens family, better known as the family of hailed American novelist Mark Twain. This special program will describe the friendship between Clemens and P.T. Barnum and then take a look at the intricate details of the way the Clemens family celebrated Christmas at Nook Farm in Hartford. Philippon will enlighten the audience with Mark Twain’s tales of holiday celebrations that took place in the Clemens family home and show images of the glorious Victorian era holiday decorations at the museum in Hartford. Hear some engaging quotes from Twain and the wonderful tales which he told his children while they gathered around the fireplace. Tea, hot chocolate and cookies will be served to warm your holiday spirit!
Sat., Dec.11, 1 to 3 p.m. – Holiday Fest and Gingerbread Contest Delight in the spirit of winter holiday celebrations around the world during the annual family Barnum Holiday Fest and Gingerbread Contest. At 1 p.m. Diane Smith, an Emmy-award winning television and radio journalist and author, will present a talk about new book, A Connecticut Christmas.
Tues., Dec. 14, 11-11:45 a.m. – Reading of Night Before Christmas – FREE
Bridgeport’s First Lady, Sonya Finch, will read Clement Clarke Moore’s timeless holiday tale, the enchanting Night Before Christmas under the twinkling lights of a Victorian Christmas tree.
Thurs., Dec.16, 1 – 2 p.m. – Celebrate the Season Exhibition Gallery Talk for the holidays on Join this final engaging and delightful lecture examining the evolution of Victorian age holiday festivities, given by the museum’s Executive Director and Curator, Kathy Maher.
Holiday visitors to the museum will also be able to view the David Millen “Celebrating the Spirit of P.T. Barnum! Energy, Balance, Vitality” sculpture exhibition only through Jan. 2 and a display of the original artwork created by the winners of the annual Kennedy Center “Unique Perspective 2011 Calendar.” The Kennedy Center publishes a full color calendar featuring artwork created by artists with disabilities. People’s United Bank Foundation is the major sponsor for the calendar project. Funds raised from the sale of these calendars benefit the Kennedy Center’s Expressive ARTs Program. The calendars, along with other unique and memorable holiday gifts, are for sale in the Barnum Museum store.
