This Wednesday morning we travelled from Hartford to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Our destination there was The Barnum Museum. We knew that it was not open on our day here, but after seeing "The Greatest Showman" we couldn't resist at least exploring the site of The Barnum Institute of Science and History, now called The Barnum Museum. The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport fulfills P.T. Barnum’s own mission: to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence through instructive entertainment. The Barnum Museum is the leading authority on P.T. Barnum’s life and work, and contains more than 60,000 artifacts relating to Barnum, Bridgeport and 19th century America. Before his death, P. T. Barnum bequeathed the sum of $100,000 for the establishment of the structure. Completed in 1893, the building was originally called The Barnum Institute of Science and History and opened on February 18th of that year. As imagined, it originally operated as a resource library and a lecture hall, attracting such luminaries as the Wright brothers and Thomas Edison to speak.
The details on the building are wonderful to see.
It would have been marvelous to step inside the museum and see all of the collections of P.T. Barnum, but that was not meant to be. We walked around the building and took in the window photos.
The Barnum Museum
General Tom Thumb and PT Barnum
It would have been marvelous to step inside the museum and see all of the collections of P.T. Barnum, but that was not meant to be. We walked around the building and took in the window photos. The Barnum Museum
General Tom Thumb and PT Barnum
Jumbo, the elephant made famous by Barnum
We then continued to New Haven, Connecticut. On this relatively chilly day with some pretty good wind gusts, we approached Lighthouse Point Park for a little exploration. The local activity is huge here in the summer. On our day, we only saw one other couple and a bird watching group close to the parking lot. We walked the park enjoying some of its offerings.
At the shore in Lighthouse Point Park we are on Long Island Sound. In the distance we can see Execution Rocks Lighthouse in the middle of Long Island Sound.
The shore line was great to walk even with the chilly breeze blowing. Across Long Island Sound is Long Island, New York and New York City. The beach had a unique seal made of cement that's sole purpose is for kids to play on.
On our walk we arrived at the lighthouse in Lighthouse Point Park. This New Haven lighthouse was constructed with The Congress appropriation of $10,000 for the new lighthouse which opened in 1847. Octagonal in shape, (a Connecticut lighthouse trademark), it is made of sandstone from East Haven. The interior is lined with New Haven brick. The circular staircase, with its 74 steps guiding the way to the lantern, are made of granite from local quarries. The last eight feet to the top are reached from a landing via a 8 foot metal ladder through a hatch. Painted white, the tower is 97 feet above sea level.
Adjacent to the lighthouse is Lighthouse Point Park's carousel. Few carousels are bigger. It boasts 72 figures mounted on 20 ranks on a 60-foot platform. There are animals aplenty. Jumping horses are set four abreast alternate with horses standing three abreast. Two exotic dragon chariots charge from opposite sides of the platform. Nearby strides a camel. The carousel has a great pavilion that allows for social functions and parties as well as housing the 1905 Carousel.
What an invigorating time we had here. We headed out to find The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial located at the top of the 366-foot summit of East Rock in New Haven. On our ascent to the summit, we were afforded brilliant views of New Haven.
For centuries New Haven was home to the Quinnipiac Tribe. Since the City was settled by Puritans it has gone through many changes.
We reached the summit of East Rock to find the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The monument honors the residents of New Haven who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Construction began June 17, 1886 and the monument was dedicated June 17, 1887.
Adjacent to the lighthouse is Lighthouse Point Park's carousel. Few carousels are bigger. It boasts 72 figures mounted on 20 ranks on a 60-foot platform. There are animals aplenty. Jumping horses are set four abreast alternate with horses standing three abreast. Two exotic dragon chariots charge from opposite sides of the platform. Nearby strides a camel. The carousel has a great pavilion that allows for social functions and parties as well as housing the 1905 Carousel.
What an invigorating time we had here. We headed out to find The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial located at the top of the 366-foot summit of East Rock in New Haven. On our ascent to the summit, we were afforded brilliant views of New Haven.
For centuries New Haven was home to the Quinnipiac Tribe. Since the City was settled by Puritans it has gone through many changes.
We reached the summit of East Rock to find the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The monument honors the residents of New Haven who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Construction began June 17, 1886 and the monument was dedicated June 17, 1887.
The monument features a round granite column rising from a square base with allegorical bronze statues on all four corners, and bas relief sculptures depicting scenes from the highlighted wars.
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, New Haven - The four bronze female figures that surround the pedestal stand 9 feet and personify the virtues of: History, Patriotism, Victory and Prosperity.
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, New Haven - The four bronze female figures that surround the pedestal stand 9 feet and personify the virtues of: History, Patriotism, Victory and Prosperity.
Patriotism (l) and Victory (R) at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Victory (L), History (C), Prosperity (R) at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Civil War plaque with History and Patriotism statues
Honoring those who died in the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783 and depicts General Cornwallis surrendering at Yorktown.
Honoring those who died in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865 and depicts the moment that General Lee surrenders to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse.
Honoring those who died in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848 and depicts General Winfield Scott entering Mexico City.
Angel of Peace tops the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, New Haven
Leaving the hill we went to the Wooster Square Historic District of New Haven. The development of the square occurred primarily between the years 1830 and 1870. Some of the most notable buildings in the area are the work of the well-known New Haven architect Henry Austin. The district still includes a concentration of distinctive 19th-century residential architecture, with fine examples of the Federal, Greek Revival, Islamic Revival, and Italian Villa styles, as well as Late Victorian Italianate row houses and Second Empire and Queen Anne residences.
We enjoyed seeing all of these historical buildings and even walked through Wooster Square Park for a delightful time.
We enjoyed seeing all of these historical buildings and even walked through Wooster Square Park for a delightful time. 
The dedication of the area is show with this ground plaque: David Wooster - First Major General of the Connecticut troops in the Army of the Revolution and Brig. General of the United Colonies. He commanded the New Haven Troops defending Danbury against a British raid on April 27, 1777. In this engagement he fell mortally wounded while rallying his men near Ridgefield. General Wooster died in Danbury on May 2, 1777.
Wooster Square Park also honors Cristopher Columbus in this Italian neighborhood. There is now much controversy concerning Columbus and his conduct when coming to America. This is part of history, but all statues seem to be in fear of destruction and/or vandalization. The plaque on this one is in the old Italian as "Cristforo Colombo".
Our final outing for the day was looking at the Yale University Campus. The buildings are gorgeous and so stately. The University campus is part of the city and not an all inclusive campus. There are blocks and blocks of Yale buildings with non-University stores and homes on the other side of the street.
Peeking through the gates we can see the courtyard, Quadrangle and walkways of Yale University. So now if anyone should ask "did you go to Yale? I can honestly answer "Yes"!!!
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