Barnum Museum honors P.T.'s 200th b'day

Bridgeport, Connecticut (WTNH) - Despite damage from the tornado in June, Bridgeport's Barnum Museum is marking a very special occasion.

The museum celebrated what would be P.T. Barnum's 200th birthday on Monday. The famed showman and philanthropist -- Phineas Taylor Barnum -- was born in Bethel on July 5, 1810.

The Barnum Museum 's birthday celebration featured entertainment, special exhibits, live music, circus clowns, stilt walkers and a huge cake big enough to feed 500 people, all in honor of a landmark anniversary for Bridgeport’s favorite son.

The party was planned for quite sometime. But then the tornado tore through the city blasting out windows and sending shattered glass and other debris throughout the exhibition areas.

“And even with the tornado, Barnum did not let his public down in any of the crisis that he had in his life,” Barnum Museum’s Kathy Maher said. “So we’re really kind of living his dream and coming through.”

The damage was estimated at more than $100,000. The folks at the museum had to scramble big time, to get things back in shape for the celebration on July 5th.

“200th birthday, there’s no do-over,” said Kathy Maher. “We had to get through it today, and it’s a remarkable showing.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey stopped by for the celebration and dropped off a $10,000 check for the Barnum Museum to make sure the show goes on.