News release from Mr. Barnum:
Next year marks the 100th Anniversary of this country’s entry into World War One. In an effort to help preserve this significant part of our history, the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport will be assisting the Connecticut State Library in gathering old photos, documents, mementos and other materials from the war to digitize them and preserve them in the Connecticut Digital Archives.
On Tuesday May 24th from 11:00am until 3:00pm, area residents can bring in their photos, letters and other keepsakes to have them made in to digital copies, safely and easily. Adrienne Saint-Pierre, Barnum Museum Curator says, “This will ensure these items endure for a long time and are available for people to see, do research from and preserve elements of our history.” She added, “We know there are a significant number of people in the Greater Bridgeport and Fairfield County areas who had relatives who worked in the factories, or who helped sell War Bonds, or in other capacities assisted on the home front, and who have things they want to share. They don’t need to be from Connecticut either.”
As this is the first of the State’s events to take place in Fairfield County, area residents are being asked to look around, contact family and friends and neighbors and find things that might be tucked away in drawers or trunks.
The Greater Bridgeport area has an important WWI story to tell. Bridgeport was the ammunition-manufacturing hub of the war, employing tens of thousands of people in factories around the city. A Military Census in 1917 showed Bridgeport registered 78,312 men between the ages of 14 and 95, in addition to a Home Guard, and there were thousands of women working with the Red Cross and Liberty Loan campaigns.
For more information about the event please contact The Barnum Museum at (203) 331-1104 x100 or the Connecticut State Library at 860-757-6517 or CTinWW1@ct.gov. To learn more about the project or other upcoming events please visit www.CTinWorldWar1.org.
ABOUT THE BARNUM MUSEUM:
Bridgeport’s Barnum Museum is one of P. T. Barnum’s many philanthropic gifts. Completed in 1893, the architecturally significant building boasts a unique combination of styles and terra cotta ornamentation, and is listed on the National Register. Today the museum proudly shares the history and legacy of the world-famous entrepreneur, showman, and museum proprietor, who was also a state legislator, mayor, real estate developer, and philanthropist. The museum is home to thousands of artifacts, many pertaining to Bridgeport native Tom Thumb and his wife, as well as the P. T. Barnum Family, and Nathaniel Wheeler Family. Their furniture, carriages, artwork and other items are currently displayed, along with a centaur and mermaid. Since 2010, the historic building has been undergoing repair and restoration due to a series of weather events that compromised the structure. The Museum is currently open for visitors in the People’s United Bank Gallery located behind the historic building, open for viewing and tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m on Thursdays and Fridays year ’round. There is no admission charge but donations are welcome.
“Since 2010, the historic building has been undergoing repair and restoration due to a series of weather events that compromised the structure.”
Who can guide me to an explanation of:
** The damage done to the building by which events in what years.
** The Estimate of what it will take to place the building into full use with all parts suitable for workers and viewers. And since the estimate, a timeline of priorities of critical works and costs to follow.
** The Barnum Museum is City property and as such is the direct responsibility of which department, office or individual? (Is there a Board or Commission to serve as stewards of this landmark like the Klein?)
** Assuming the Museum is City property, to what extent is the structure covered by City insurance cover? And what part will be subject to deductibles or self-insurance?
** Is it possible estimates for repair and placing back in order amount to over $20 Million? And yet the building is valued by the City at under $5 Million?
Where does one go for such answers? Time will tell.
*** The timing before Memorial Day could not be better to remember, explore and talk about a time in history where new world country’s freedom was threatened. That and “Democracy vs Communism” brought America and our allies together against the powers of Central Europe in our First World War! *** WHOOP ***