BECOMING BARNUM: The Journey to Fame and Fortune

My Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Home - Episode 17

In this Episode of Becoming Barnum, it feels most fitting to highlight P. T. Barnum’s letters home to his wife, sister, and daughter. These letters were composed in the mid-November 1845 timeframe we have been exploring, when Barnum was in Paris. In almost every letter, whether to family or business associates, we see the refrain that he anticipated sailing home to America in the new year along with Gen. Tom Thumb‘s entourage. However, because the profitability of business was unpredictable, he cautioned that he might not return for some months to come. Barnum hoped the General’s performances would be a hit in Paris, and more so in London over the holiday season, but after that it would be a game of “wait and see” in regard to planning another tour of the British Isles. The downside to his potential financial success would mean staying overseas longer, which would prolong the feelings of homesickness.

Learn more about PT Barnum’s Letter Copy Book here:

https://tinyurl.com/BarnumArchive

https://tinyurl.com/Dinnerwareandtea

https://tinyurl.com/Barnumletter

https://tinyurl.com/TThumbToken

https://tinyurl.com/Sherwoodletter

https://tinyurl.com/nywonders

https://tinyurl.com/IranistanFeature

https://tinyurl.com/barnumletters

https://tinyurl.com/iranistan

Read the Blog Post this episode is based on:

• My Mind is Occupied with Thoughts of Home

https://barnum-museum.org/my-mind-is-occupied/

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