Real and Genuine, Faked and Forged: Fantastical Stories and Objects from the Barnum Museum Collection

The Barnum Museum holds a world of wonders. From Tom Thumb’s miniature boots and carriages to ethnographic materials from cultures the world over, the museum’s collection is a veritable cabinet of curiosities. Even the most mundane seeming items have interesting stories regarding their use, creation, display, or history…and some are fakes which also weave an intriguing tale.  

Among their shelves lurks an Egyptian mummy and coffin whose stories were first entwined in 1894; a FeeJee Mermaid for whom a captain sold a ship he did not own; early glass milk bottles created to stop an epidemic; a 17th century spoon which was as personal as a toothbrush and as handy as a swiss army knife; and two Medieval knives that stymied top archaeologists and British antiques dealers for half a century. 

Join us to see items from the Barnum Museum’s collection in-person. This program is free to the public, but reservations are required, register online with the form below. Donations for both the Westport and Barnum Museums are greatly appreciated. 

Join us for more Spooktober programs, exploring the darker side of history. Click here to explore more.