The
communities of Bridgeport and Shelton are working together to read and celebrate
Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club" during April and May.
May
2008
The Big Read Shadows Around the World:
Puppet Performance Saturday, May 10th - 2:00 p.m. At the Barnum Museum
Join
Jim Napolitano from Nappy's Puppets as he tells tales from around the world through
shadow puppetry.
Circusworks® Saturday,
May 17th - 9:00 a.m. to noon
Teachers are Invited
to make learning skills fun! The 8th Annual also features ways to use circus
facts and fitness in the classroom!
Circusworks
is an exciting, proven, interactive teacher workshop being offered for the seventh
year to area pre-school and elementary school educators on Saturday, May 17
from 9:00 a.m. to noon at The Barnum Museum...more
info
Gustave
Whitehead and the Flight of "Number 21" Thursday, August 14th
(or last Thursday in July) - 6:00pm
Andrew
Kosch, Director of the Gustave Whitehead Replica Team
Did
Gustave Albin Whitehead (1874-1927) beat the Wright Brothers as the first in flight?
If any one would know, it would be Andrew Kosch. After all with his team, Kosch
built and flew a replica of Whitehead's machine. August 14th marks the 106th anniversary
of Whiteheads flight. The debate over whether the history of the flight should
be rewritten will be explored in this timely presentation.
September
2008
Restoration
of Conncticut's State Capital Tentative for Thursday, September 4th -
6:00pm
John Canning,
Award winning Restoration Contractor
John
Canning's Painting and Conservation studio has done work on the Boston public
Library, New York's Christ Church, and the Grand Central terminal Sky Mural. In
2006 Canning's company worked on the Connecticut State Capital in Hartford. Designated
a National Historic Landmark in 1970 the Connecticut State Capital opened in 1879.
John Canning will present insight into his restorative work on this State treasure.
Connecticut's
Role in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1865 Friday, September 5th - 6:00pm
Robert
L. Berthelson
The Civil War would determine
if the 34 United States would remain a unified nation or if they would be divided.
The roles played by Connecticut men and women in this national conflict will be
discussed in a color slide presentation by Mr. Berthelson.
History
Beneath Our Feet: 11,000 Years of Native American Culture Wednesday, September
10th - 6:00pm
Nicholas
F. Bellantoni, Professor and State Archaeologist with Connecticut State Museum
of Natural History and Archaeological Center at the University of Connecticut
in Storrs.
11,000 years of Native American
occupation is revealed by the science of archaeology. Which tribes lived here
before us, and which ones remain intact to this day will be illustrated, explained
and explored by Nicholas F. Bellantoni.
History
of Mining in Connecticut Thursday, September 11th - 7:00pm
John
A. Pawloski, President of the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association
Geologist
and author John A. Pawloski will give an informative presentation on Connecticut's
mining industry. Not to be over looked, Connecticut was a major producer of iron
and at one time was the home for more than 200 brick making companies. Connecticut
has a long and valued history in the field of mining. This informative look at
an important part of our state's growth during the industrial revolution will
be a unique discussion during the week of Labor Day.
Bronze
Stars of Valor Civil War Heroes from the Nutmeg State Thursday, September
18th - 6:00pm
Robert
L. Berthelson
More than 2,500 men and
one woman were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in the Civil War. More than
40 Medals of Honor were awarded to Connecticut residents. This color slide presentation
discusses the exploits of each of the Connecticut people who received this award.
Connecticut
Graves Thursday, September 25th - 3:00pm
Ruth
Shapleigh-Brown, Executive Director and Founder of the Connecticut Grave Network.
In
this presentation grave expert Ruth Shapleigh-Brown shows us how to decipher what
we see at our local burial grounds. A wealth of history can be gleaned from older
grave stones through the carvings and symbolism of Colonialism and the Victorian
era. Weather permitting, Ms. Shapleigh-Brown will end the presentation with an
on site demonstration at a nearby local burial ground.
October
2008
Annual Gala TBA
Cass Gilbert and Public
Architecture Wednesday, October 8th - Time TBA
Allan
Plattus, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism at Yale University
Award
wining American Architect, Cass Gilbert (1859-1934) is widely considered a skyscraper
design pioneer and a leader in civic design who in his time boasted an impressive
resume. Among Gilberts' more popular works are the F.W. Woolworth Company Building,
Allen Memorial Art Museum, New York Life Insurance Building and the U.S. Supreme
Court Building. Included with these national treasures are the buildings Gilbert
designed in Connecticut. Professor Plattus of Yale University will be giving the
audience insight into the public role of architecture in American cities and in
particular the works of Cass Gilbert.
November
2008
Opening
of the Celebrate the Season Exhibition Friday, November 28th
December
2008
Reading
of the Night Before Christmas with Mayor Finch of Bridgeport TBA
We
are honored to uphold P.T. Barnum's "instructive entertainment"
philosophy and we look forward to bringing you new and exciting programs
and exhibitions in 2007!
