Furniture: Dining Room Chairs from P. T Barnum's home Marina
P. T. Barnum (owned by)
1870 – 1889 (Earliest/Latest dates)
Decorative Arts Object
48 in H
X
21 in W
X
23 in D
Measurement Notes: Side chair dimensions
48 in H X 27 in W X 29 in D Measurement Notes: Armchair dimensions
48 in H X 27 in W X 29 in D Measurement Notes: Armchair dimensions
Ornately carved armchair, part of a dining room furniture set that belonged to P.T. Barnum. The dining room set was used in his last home, Marina, and possibly in his previous home, Waldemere. The set contains two armchairs, which were placed at the head or "short" ends of the dining table, and four side chairs placed along the long sides of the table. The chairs feature carvings of heads resembling monkeys, and elements of foliage hand-carved in the very dark color wood. The carver and furniture maker is unknown at this time. The chair is generously sized though not massive. The red velvet upholstery is not original to the chair; a photograph of the dining room at Marina shows the chairs upholstered with embossed (raised pattern) leather.
Marina was the fourth and final of P.T. Barnum’s mansions in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It’s construction was prompted by Barnum’s desire to leave his young wife, Nancy Fish-Barnum, a modern home after his death. Construction began in 1888, and finished in 1889. Designed by Longstaff and Hurd, Marina was built directly next to Waldemere overlooking Seaside Park and Long Island Sound. There are photographs of the two side by side, with one nearly complete and the other nearly ready to be dismantled. Marina survived until 1961. The two homes were located on land now owned by the University of Bridgeport; one of the university buildings was named Marina Hall.
Marina was the fourth and final of P.T. Barnum’s mansions in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It’s construction was prompted by Barnum’s desire to leave his young wife, Nancy Fish-Barnum, a modern home after his death. Construction began in 1888, and finished in 1889. Designed by Longstaff and Hurd, Marina was built directly next to Waldemere overlooking Seaside Park and Long Island Sound. There are photographs of the two side by side, with one nearly complete and the other nearly ready to be dismantled. Marina survived until 1961. The two homes were located on land now owned by the University of Bridgeport; one of the university buildings was named Marina Hall.
A Gift of the Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, Connecticut
2003.009.102 AF