Derby Historical Society shares info about Tom Thumb's performance at local church

Here’s an 1848 announcement about a performance which was to take place at the Birmingham Congregational Church by P. T. Barnum’s little friend, Tom Thumb.

Shared from the Derby Historical Society's Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library shares 'What's True Wednesday' history quiz

For the previous "What's True Wednesday," #2 was TRUE and #1 was FALSE--P.T. Barnum was a CT mayor, but for Bridgeport! 

Did you get it right?

Here is this week's "What's True Wednesday." answer! Comment on the Derby Neck Library Facebook page with your answer.

And don't forget--Pat's next History Game Night is Feb 9! 

This is shared from the Derby Neck Library Facebook page.

See, discuss 'The Greatest Showman' movie at Seymour Public Library

Seymour Public Library is at 46 Church St., Seymour. 
For information call 203-888-3903.

Derby Neck Library to host dinner and movie, talks on Barnum, Lincoln

DERBY - Derby Neck Library will host Dinner and a Movie for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. May 3.  
This month’s feature film is “The Greatest Showman” based on the life of P.T. Barnum.  Free movie refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission. 

Historian to speak

At 6:30 p.m. May 8 the Library presents Marian O’Keefe, docent at the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, with a powerpoint on “The True Life of P.T. Barnum.”  
Learn the fascinating details of his origins in Connecticut, his discovery of Tom Thumb, his world travels with the circus, and his time as the Mayor of Bridgeport. 
This is a free event featuring a well-researched and humorously narrated lecture. 

Lincoln's presidency

The Library presents Prof. Hamish Lutris with a fascinating and informative powerpoint on “The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln” at 6:30 p.m. May 10.  
Learn how the Illinois lawyer found a way to govern during the greatest crisis our nation ever faced.  
The professor, with a noted career in the Connecticut state community colleges, is an expert on Lincoln’s life and an energetic, highly engaging speaker. This is free event.

Documentary screening 

The Library will screen a short documentary movie, “Nappy,” at 6:30 p.m. May 16.

Written and filmed by Lydia Douglas, this piece records the early years of the natural hair movement among black women in the 1970s.  

Douglas will be available to describe her experiences in making this noted film. 

Women's Forum

At 12:30 p.m. May 21 the Library hosts Women’s Forum, a daytime literary discussion group.  
This month we focus on two short stories -“The Waltz” by Dorothy Parker and “Anyuta” by Anton Chekhov. Copies are available at the library.  
Feel free to bring a light lunch; we serve coffee and tea at each meeting.  

Evening Book Club

The Library hosts the Evening Book Club, a literary discussion group that focuses on novellas and memoirs at 6:30 p.m. May 21.  

This month’s selection is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Copies of the book are available at the library.  

For information on any program call 203-734-1492. The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is a press release from Pat Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library. 

'The Greatest Showman' is focus of talk at Barnum Museum in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT - Kathleen Maher, executive director, The Barnum Museum, will present "The Real Story about the Reel Story," at 2 p.m. Jan. 28.

P.T. Barnum

The recent release of The Greatest Showman by 20th Century Fox has prompted some concerns and requires some clarification because elements of the motion picture are not actually based on the historic facts of P.T. Barnum's life.

If you haven’t seen The Greatest Showman movie yet, go and enjoy!  
If you have already seen it, we are sure you have a lot of questions about the accuracy of P.T. Barnum’s life and times.  
Maher has the answers and will share numerous bits and pieces of history that will set the record straight.

All in the spirit of fun, Maher's talk will illuminate guests with an engaging journey through many key elements of the movie.  
From the depiction of Barnum’s childhood to his final bow with The Greatest Show On Earth, the talk will expand the screenplay and reveal even more fantastic stories of struggles and triumphs.

Consider this a Spoiler Alert. As portrayed in the movie, Barnum had a hard childhood.  Maher is happy to say he (Barnum) “actually had a very pleasant childhood growing up in Bethel and recounts many happy moments of his youth in his autobiography. And as many folks in Connecticut know, there is no ‘beach’ in Bethel. So there are all kinds of liberties taken with the screenplay.  
Many, many plots are an entanglement of truths and moments throughout his life.  
The hour and 45-minute movie is really about 50 years of his long and busy life … and his daughters don’t age.”

Come see Tom Thumb’s actual Napoleon costume, Jenny Lind’s piano and a gold medal presented to P.T. Barnum for his dedication to the Temperance movement …that’s right, Barnum was one of the leading champions of liquor reform and legislation.

If you are curious about P.T. Barnum, excited about the movie, or just want to learn more about how the Museum was involved, come and enjoy a fun afternoon that will surely have you leaving with a new and refreshed perspective.  You’ll never look at Hollywood the same way.  

Bring your own questions. It will be fun to have your thoughts be a part of the conversation.

There is no registration required but there is a suggested donation of $5 per person.  
The event is free to all Museum Vision Members and children under 12.

For information visit barnum-museum.org  or call 203-331-1104 x100.  

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 at 820 Main St. is open for winter visitors in the People’s United Bank Gallery located behind the historic building, open for viewing and tours from 11 a.m-3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. 
No weekend hours except for days when events are held.

The original Barnum Institute building is owned by the City of Bridgeport and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.