Photograph: Stereoview cards (2) of Barnum's home "Lindencroft"
Part of BM-MSS 002 box 3
Pomeroy and Wilson (created by)
1864 (Date manufactured/created)
Paper Documentary Artifact
3.25 in H
X
6.75 in W
Views of P. T. Barnum's elegant second home in Bridgeport, Lindencroft, are shown in these two stereograph (also known as stereoview) cards. Stereograph cards from the 1800s were similar in idea to the "Viewmaster" disks of the 1900s. They could be purchased for entertainment and education, often created as sets. The cards were inserted one at a time in a simple handheld device that allowed the person to see the image in "3-D." Although the "double" images on stereographs look nearly identical, the photographs are at very slightly different angles, which creates the dimensional image seen through the viewer.
These cards, produced by Pomeroy and Wilson and dated 1864, were probably from a larger set featuring several exterior and interior views of Barnum's Italianate mansion on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn. Lindencroft was built between 1859 and 1860, following the fire that destroyed Barnum's first Bridgeport home, Iranistan. The first view shows the piazza (porch) with P.T. Barnum on the right, seated next to his wife Charity, their housemaid, their grandchildren, and the grandchildren's nanny. The housemaid may be Fanny Readdy, an Irishwoman who worked in the Barnum household and was a trusted servant and companion. On the back is written: “Piazza of Lindencroft present P.T. Barnum, his wife[,] housekeeper, 3 grandchildren & nurse. Aug, 1864." The second stereograph card shows an interior space in Lindencroft, the hallway and staircase. Lindencroft is no longer standing; it was razed in the 1924 to make way for Bassick High School located between Yale Street and Clinton Avenue on Fairfield Avenue. A stone marker was erected near the location.
These cards, produced by Pomeroy and Wilson and dated 1864, were probably from a larger set featuring several exterior and interior views of Barnum's Italianate mansion on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, Conn. Lindencroft was built between 1859 and 1860, following the fire that destroyed Barnum's first Bridgeport home, Iranistan. The first view shows the piazza (porch) with P.T. Barnum on the right, seated next to his wife Charity, their housemaid, their grandchildren, and the grandchildren's nanny. The housemaid may be Fanny Readdy, an Irishwoman who worked in the Barnum household and was a trusted servant and companion. On the back is written: “Piazza of Lindencroft present P.T. Barnum, his wife[,] housekeeper, 3 grandchildren & nurse. Aug, 1864." The second stereograph card shows an interior space in Lindencroft, the hallway and staircase. Lindencroft is no longer standing; it was razed in the 1924 to make way for Bassick High School located between Yale Street and Clinton Avenue on Fairfield Avenue. A stone marker was erected near the location.
Gift of Mrs. Henry N. Carrier
T 2016.060.002