Barnum's Aquarial Gardens
Encyclopedia
Barnum's Aquarial Gardens (June 1862 - February 1863) in Boston
, Massachusetts
, USA, was a public aquarium, zoo, and performance space located on Washington Street
in the Financial District. P.T. Barnum bought the Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens
in 1862, remodelled the space, changed the name of the business, and re-opened the collections to the public in June. In contrast to its earlier incarnation, the place became more of a show-hall than a serious scientific establishment. "Madame Lanista," who wrestled with snakes, was a typical attraction of this period; also "a dog show, followed soon after by a baby show. Dramatic performances were given from Dec. 16, 1862, until Feb. 14, 1863." Thereafter "the contents of the Gardens were moved to the American Museum
in New York."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA, was a public aquarium, zoo, and performance space located on Washington Street
Washington Street (Boston)
Washington Street is a street originating in downtown Boston, Massachusetts that extends southwestward to the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line. The majority of it was built as the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike in the early nineteenth century...
in the Financial District. P.T. Barnum bought the Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens
Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens
The Boston Aquarial and Zoological Gardens in Boston, Massachusetts, featured a public aquarium and zoo. It was located in the Financial District on Central Court . On display were "hundreds of specimens of the finny tribe there to be seen sporting in their native element, in all their variety of...
in 1862, remodelled the space, changed the name of the business, and re-opened the collections to the public in June. In contrast to its earlier incarnation, the place became more of a show-hall than a serious scientific establishment. "Madame Lanista," who wrestled with snakes, was a typical attraction of this period; also "a dog show, followed soon after by a baby show. Dramatic performances were given from Dec. 16, 1862, until Feb. 14, 1863." Thereafter "the contents of the Gardens were moved to the American Museum
Barnum's American Museum
Barnum's American Museum was located at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street in New York City, USA, from 1841 to 1865. The museum was owned by famous showman P.T. Barnum and his partner and original owner, John Scudder. Prior to their partnership, the museum was known as Scudder's American...
in New York."
Performances/Exhibits
- June 1862 - Dog show
- July 1862- "Baby show" ("fine and fancy specimens of infantile humanity")
- Sept. 1862 - "Gen. Tom ThumbGeneral Tom ThumbGeneral Tom Thumb was the stage name of Charles Sherwood Stratton , a dwarf who achieved great fame under circus pioneer P.T. Barnum.-Early life:...
and Commodore NuttCommodore NuttGeorge Washington Morrison Nutt , better known by his stage name Commodore Nutt, was a 19th century dwarf who became famous working for P. T. Barnum.-Early life:Nutt was born in Manchester, New Hampshire...
" ("two rival pigmies") - "Miss Dora Dawron, the double voiced singer ... in unique costume representing half man and half woman"
- "Miss Leone, attired as Venus, in her nautilus shell boat ... [drives] the whale around the great central tank"
- Albino Family