Browsing by Subject "P.T. Barnum"

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P.T. Barnum presents : the greatest classroom on earth! : historical inquiry into the role of education in Barnum's American Museum
(2009-08) Murray, Lisa Rochelle; Bolin, Paul Erik, 1954-; Mayer, Melinda
This study of P.T. Barnum’s American Museum challenges readers to examine Barnum in a new light. An argument is made that P.T. Barnum was a successful museum educator whose philosophies and actions align with three modern museum education discourses: free-choice learning, constructivism, and edutainment. These findings challenge the commonly-held belief that Barnum was simply a showman, best known for his work in the circus and for a quote that has been mis-attributed to him that, “there’s a sucker born every minute.” The research undertaken for this investigation focuses on museums and education in the nineteenth century. This study presents a brief history of the emergence of museums in America, spanning the years 1782–1841. Six museum proprietors are discussed in accordance with their beliefs in three educational philosophies: popular education, useful education and didactic education. A focus is then made towards P.T. Barnum and his American Museum. A brief biography of Barnum prior to his career as a museum proprietor is included. The holdings and organization of the American Museum is described, revealing some of the influence it had on nineteenth-century culture. The thesis concludes by illustrating how Barnum’s American Museum exemplified three forms of education: free-choice learning, constructivism, and edutainment. In it I argue that Barnum was an effective museum educator and his legacy should reflect this important feature of his character.
"Where's Barnum?" : skepticism in Antebellum America
(2015-05) Urich, Joshua David; Graber, Jennifer, 1973-; Seales, Chad E
Antebellum Americans experienced rapid economic, social, political, and religious changes. This report argues that P.T. Barnum's advertisements, traveling exhibits, and American Museum instilled pecuniary skepticism into his audience. More specifically, Jacksonian era Americans were learning to navigate both business and personal relationships that were fraught with potential fraudulence. This report also contends that Barnum made the practice of pecuniary skepticism--that is, unmasking the fraud--a middle class value. In doing so, Barnum inculcated a skeptical worldview into the antebellum middle classes, paving the way for the widespread acceptance of more radical forms of skepticism in the twentieth century.