REMARKS:
Kathleen Maher, Executive Director, The Barnum Museum
April 16, 2007 Thank
you Chairman Gioia, and welcome Mrs. Bush, and welcome to all of our distinguished
and invited guests. Today is a day to celebrate 'words' yet
it is hard to adequately express the honor it is to be the Co-Chair of Bridgeport's
Big Read and to be the hostess of this historic event at The Barnum Museum. The
City of Bridgeport takes great pride in its history and is dedicated to the preservation
of its extraordinary cultural heritage, highlighted by Bridgeport's own P.T. Barnum
- truly an American icon. Barnum made Bridgeport his adopted
home and ultimately became the primary engineer of the city's prosperous industrial
age. An entrepreneur, Bridgeport Mayor, Connecticut legislator, urban developer,
community benefactor, philanthropist, abolitionist, and author, Barnum was committed
to the intellectual and cultural development of the city and was fundamental in
transforming the world of entertainment, earning him the title "the Great
American Showman." Even today, 116 years after his death, his name is recognized
the world over. P.T. Barnum's impact reaches deep into our
American heritage and the story of his vast contributions are preserved in this
museum. Conceived and constructed by P.T., The Barnum Museum has proudly served
an international audience since 1893, and is one of our country's great national
treasures. The ornate, exotic building distinguishes the city's uniqueness, is
a symbol of achievement and creativity, and is a testament to the pioneers and
visionaries of the 19th Century. From its inception, The Barnum
Museum has been an institute of learning, a place of intellectual exchange and
community engagement - so our involvement in the Big Read is a natural extension
of this mission. Interestingly, Barnum once said, "I never invented the audience…I
went to where the audience was," which is exactly what we have done through
this regional reading initiative. Working with our schools, libraries, community
centers, colleges, and cultural institutions, we are encouraging people of all
ages to celebrate the glorious words of Harper Lee. Created
by Bridgeport Public Librarian Nancy Sweeney, I am pleased to introduce you to
some of the many, many faces bringing Mockingbird to life through the City of
Bridgeport's Big Read! Mayor
Fabrizi's Remarks | First Lady's Remarks |
