The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-12
BARNUNrs SPLENDID GIFTS.
The Great Snowman Enriches Science and
Education.

Education.
BRIDGEPORT, June 6.-This morning p T.
Barnum presented to the officers of the Fair
field Historical Society and Bridgeport Scen-
tlic Society arter-of-a-milion gift. Mr..
Barnum had intended to spring the surprise on
the two societies on his seyenty-eiehth birth
DAY anniversary, which occurs on July 3, but
changed his mind at 8 o'clock this morning
Several days ago he purchased from Colonel
Thomas Lowe the handsome property on the
corner of Gilbert and Main streets. On this
site there is to be erected n building 100 feet
square and ten stories high, at n cost of $780,
900. Barnum's architect has submitted the
plans, which call for a substantial structure OF
stone and brick. The lower floors are to be
used as stores. The upper floors are to contain
libraries, museums, and a large lecture room
for entertainments. The same feeling which
prompted the great Snowman to create the
Barnum medal for the best essay delivered an
nually in the public schools have led him to
found the present princcly gift to be devoted
to the speclaltieS in the line Of history and
science.
In conversation this morning Mr.. Rarnum
said: Il awoke about 5 O'Clock. AS You
know, sleep in single brass bedstead and
my young wife sleeps in another in The same
apartment. lay there thinking that l was
nearly seyenty-eight years old, and when
man gets to be that age lie is liable to be
taken off almost any day. looked over at
Nancy and reyolved in my mind the response
bilities that would fall to her in settling I'D
my estate, and decided to give this building
today to the officers of the societies. You see,
AN sort of housekeeping for my birthday
that is, am getting my odds and ends to-
geth0r, and have other important plans to
carry out IN the cause of education"
Mr.. Barnum still possesses much Of his old
TIME ylgor and does not begin to look his years,
After breakfast he was driven by his coach
man, Irusty Hugh, to the Office Of the Wheeler
~ Wilson sowing machine factory, where he
met the officers of the Fairfield Historical So
ciety and the Bridgeport Scientific society,
and formally turned over to them tho property
and the responsibility of carrying out the new
structure. Both of these societies were founded
many years ago, the Historical being an incor-
poTatCd body.
"Waldemere," the home Of the great show
man, is also well under way towards its future
use, that of a female seminary. Mr.. Barnum's
new house is about finished, and his old home
whore Horace Greeley, Henry Ward Beecher,
Matthew Arnold and other celebrities have
been entertained, is to resound with echoes of
budding learning. The immense building is
being remodelled after the fashion of the
semlnarieS OF southampton, England, and the
corps of teachers arc graduates of the South
ampton Seminaries. The new "M aldemeriln"
seminary oyerlooks Long Island Sound and is
surrounded with beautiful and highly cult
Vatod grounds.
The building, given as it is Jointly with n
yearly revenue, TO lie derived from the leasing
OF the stores is a munificent gift and VIII be
an ornament TO the city. In addition. the
lovers Of natural history are to bo enlightened
and entertained for years to come. Mr.. Bar
mum and his partner Mr. Baily have yielded
to the opportunities of the citizens 10 rebuild
the winter quarters which Were burned last
tall Twelve a res are to be occupied 10y new
ire-procf buildings several Of which are to be
devoted TO breeding animals. There is 4
growing demand, for camels, elephants, and
tigers, and SlU00o0 yearly can be secured from
the products of this ueuartuQnt