Saturday, December 5

Barnum Holiday Fest

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Come join us we celebrate the holiday season with crafts, caroling, hot cocoa and cookies! Victorian ornaments and holiday card making, among other fun holiday crafts will be the activities taking place at the Museum. We are also having a gingerbread contest. Please call for more information. Come and learn, or just delight in the spirit of the holiday season. Free with General Admission.

Saturday, December 5

McLevy Green Tree Lighting

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Come and enjoy beautiful McLevy Green for the annual tree lighting and festivities! Enjoy the beautiful holiday tree lighting at nearby McLevy Green, and take the opportunity to stroll along the wonderful historic streets of downtown. The Barnum Museum will be open during the event for all those wishing to Celebrate the Season and enjoy the holiday display. Discounted Admission to the Museum.

Tuesday, December 8

Holidays with Mark Twain's Family

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Presented by the Mark Twain House and Museum Curator, Patti Philippon, join us for a wonderful presentation of how the Twain family celebrated the holidays at their beautiful Hartford home. Filled with engaging Twain quotes, and delightful wit, come and enjoy the tales of heartfelt family memories from one of America's most important literary figures. Tea, hot chocolate and cookies will warm you holiday spirit!
General Admission.

Tuesday, December 15

Clement Clarke Moore's, Night Before Christmas Reading

11:00am - 11:45

Part of The Barnum Museum's holiday tradition, a reading of Clement Clarke Moore's timeless holiday tale, Night Before Christmas will be read in the beautiful period galleries of the Museum. Surrounded by Victorian holiday charm, the reading will delight guests of all ages. Join us this year as the First Lady of Bridgeport, Sonya Finch, enchants us with the wonderful words from Moore's holiday classic! A Gallery Talk by the Museum Executive Director will immediately follow. General Admission.

Thursday, December 17

Celebrate the Season Gallery Talk

11:00am-12:00 noon

Join Executive Director/Curator, Kathleen Maher as she walks you though the Celebrate the Season exhibition. Beginning in the recreation of P.T. Barnum's Iranistan Library, the exhibition opens with the exploration of how the holiday celebration began in 1850. The tour guides guests through five decades of evolution, and discusses how our modern holiday has been crafted from 'Victorian' ideals of nostalgia and festivity. A wonderful retreat from the holiday hustle and bustle, the talk is educational and fill with holiday spender for all to enjoy! General Admission.

Thursday, December 17

Celebrate the Season Presentation Lecture and Gallery Talk

6:00pm- 7:30pm

Originally presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Museum's in Cleveland, Ohio, Executive Director/Curator, Kathleen Maher will discuss the innovations of holiday exhibitions at historic museums. Engaging and delightful, the lecture examines decoration to family meals, simple holiday decor to elaborate mansions of the Victorian age. The talk will be immediately followed by a walk through of The Barnum Museum holiday galleries. Beginning in the recreation of P.T. Barnum's Iranistan Library, the exhibition opens with the exploration of how the holiday celebration began in 1850. The tour guides guests through five decades of evolution, and discusses how our modern holiday has been crafted from 'Victorian' ideals of nostalgia and festivity. A wonderful retreat from the holiday hustle and bustle, the talk is educational and filled with holiday spender for all to enjoy! General Admission.

Tuesday, December 22

Celebrate the Season Gallery Talk

11:00am-12:00 noon

Join Executive Director/Curator, Kathleen Maher as she walks you though the Celebrate the Season exhibition. Beginning in the recreation of P.T. Barnum's Iranistan Library, the exhibition opens with the exploration of how the holiday celebration began in 1850. The tour guides guests through five decades of evolution, and discusses how our modern holiday has been crafted from 'Victorian' ideals of nostalgia and festivity. A wonderful retreat from the holiday hustle and bustle, the talk is educational and filled with holiday spender for all to enjoy! General Admission.

Tuesday, December 29

Celebrate the Season, Holidays for Children

1:00pm-2:00pm

Join the Museum's Director of Education, Jaime Knoedler for a fascinating and fun look at the history of the holiday season! Learn how the Christmas tree became such an important part of family festivities, and have the opportunity to make an old-fashion holiday ornament to take home. General Admission.

Wednesday, December 30

Celebrate the Season, Holidays for Children

1:00pm-3:00pm

Join the Museum's Director of Education, Jaime Knoedler for a fascinating and fun look at the history of the holiday season! Learn how the Christmas tree became such an important part of family festivities, and have the opportunity to make an old-fashion holiday ornament to take home. To complete the holiday fair, and say good-bye to 2009, Disney On Ice Princess Classics, will come to the Museum to delight all guests! Adorned in her shimmering costume, the Princess will read an enchanting story and greet all children wishing to meet one of Disney's beloved characters!
General Admission.

Thursday, December 31

Celebrate the Season, Holidays for Children

1:00 - 2:00

Join the Museum's Director of Education, Jaime Knoedler for a fascinating and fun look at the history of the holiday season! Learn how the Christmas tree became such an important part of family festivities, and have the opportunity to make an old-fashioned holiday ornament to take home. General Admission.