"The noblest art is that of making others happy"
P.T. Barnum
P.T. Barnum Statue in Seaside Park CT
Dedicated on July 4, 1893
Thomas Ball, Sculptor
Barnum was elected mayor of Bridgeport in 1875. He owned the land where Seaside Park is located and he donated it to the city in 1865. Barnum died in Bridgeport on April 7, 1891. This statue of Barnum seated on a chair holding a book with his left hand is elevated on a pedestal facing Long Island Sound. Phineas Taylor Barnum was born in Bethel Connecticut on July 5, 1810, but he spent much time and owned several houses in Bridgeport. The P.T. Barnum Circus wintered in Bridgeport.
In 1881, Barnum at age 61 joined forces with fellow circus managers James A. Bailey and James L. Hutchinson. In 1887, an aging Barnum agreed to cede everyday control of the circus which was rebranded as the Barnum & Bailey "Greatest Show on Earth. Following Barnum's death his show was bought by the rival Ringling Brothers in 1907. In 1919, the two were incorporated into the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Sadly, in 2017 the circus P.T. Barnum founded delivered its final performance.
P.T. Barnum Statue at Bethel Library by
Bethel CT native, sculptor David Gesauldi
Barnum is known for many quotes though the quote Dan Dalpra, Founder and CEO of the Chautauqua Lake Pops formerly known as the Bemus Bay Pops chose to share with us can be seen on a wall at the Pops office in Mayville.
"Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, if necessary, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now."
P.T. Barnum
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
