In 1835, P.T. Barnum launched his showman career by exhibiting Joice Heth, an elderly enslaved African-American woman, with the fabricated claim that she was 161 years old and had been George Washington's childhood nurse. Barnum displayed the blind and paralyzed woman at Niblo's Garden in New York City, charging admission while she told stories about "little George" and sang hymns. According to historian accounts, Barnum extracted her teeth to make her appear older, and the exhibition earned him

"The noblest art is that of making others happy” P. T. Barnum, one of the most well known Americans of the 19th century and the founder of the Barnum & Bailey circus, was born on July 5, 1810 in Bethel, Connecticut. The consummate showman was famous before he dove into the circus world for wonders on display at his American Museum in New York, which opened in 1841. | American Experience | PBS

#PTBarnum is known for the Barnum & Bailey Circus, but he was a lot more than just a showman. Here are five things you may not know about Barnum. For more on the forefather of American entertainment check out Robert Wilson's new biography: http://bit.ly/barnumbiography | History in Five

🎟️ Step right up 🎪 West End favourite Lee Mead stars as P.T. Barnum in the exhilarating Barnum – The Circus Musical. 📍 Barnum – The Circus Musical 📅 30 June – 4 July 2026 📌 Cliffs Pavilion ✨ Don’t miss this spectacular blend of live music, circus acts, and unforgettable theatre! | Southend Theatres