PT Barnum's Iranistan Mansion Model (Bridgeport,CT)

Experience the grandeur of PT Barnum's mansion, Iranistan, with this detailed miniature model created for the 1999 mini series 'P.T. Barnum'. Commissioned by Barnum in 1848 and designed by Bohemian-American architect Leopold Eidlitz, the mansion was a popular gathering place for notable figures such as the Hutchinson Family Singers, Matthew Arnold, George Armstrong Custer, Horace Greeley, and Mark Twain. Tragically, the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1857, but this model allows us to see what the majestic structure would have looked like in all its glory. The model was generously donated to the Barnum Museum by the production company after filming, and the large dome piece was even rediscovered in a closet and sent to the museum to complete the model. Take a closer look at this fascinating piece of history and see the Iranistan Mansion as it once was.
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[@kathleenmary1000]

The model was created for the Beau Bridges 1999 mini series 'P.T. Barnum' which was nominated for many awards. The production company offered the model to the museum a year after the filming and it was shipped from Vancouver. The large dome piece arrived a year later after it was discovered in a box in a closet in the studio...fortunately they remembered the Museum and sent it along to complete the Iranistan model!

[@iamher6422]

My parent's neighbor was a treasure trove of historical knowledge. She was well into her early 100's and this was in the late 70's. she left my parents a treasure trove of albums etc. We lived on the south end of Bpt. This awesome woman would tell us some incredible stories. I remember vividly sitting on her steps in awe as she narrated away. What I'd give to speak with her again. I was a child back then who didn't know any better, but man, the questions I would ask now if I could... Takes my breath away every time I remember those days.

[@kathleenmary1000]

She left you a remarkable gift, how lucky you are. Cherish everyone of her stories and pass them along... Thank you for sharing your memory with the Museum!

[@youthfuljoy8060]

@ i am her, what street did yall live on on the south end I'm just curious to know which houses were built by Barnum.. Alot of those houses in that area are historical row houses as well..

[@iamher6422]

@@youthfuljoy8060 113 Rennell St. (UB área)

[@iamher6422]

@@youthfuljoy8060 I apologize, our home was not built by Barnum, but they were built in 1901. Still, very significantly historical, if you ask me..

[@BasementVinyL85]

@@iamher6422 Oh ok and yeaa history for sure.. If im not mistaken that street is in between Atlantic St. And The old Marina Village..

[@bencarter8324]

Such a shame this magnificent house doesn’t exist today. I wish Barnum could come back and rejuvenate Bridgeport

[@BarnumMuseum]

One thing is for sure, he'd be the right person to do it! He always had a good grasp of possibility.

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

If the great PT Barnum was alive in the year 2022 , he would rip open the city of bridgeport and rebuild it in the likes that you have never seen before.

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

@@BarnumMuseum Thank you for responding !! Indeed !!

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

@@BarnumMuseum Their is also a house in seaside park that is right across from a lake. I believe this house belongs to the daughter of the great PT Barnum.

[@vilstef6988]

Went up in flames like many a circus bigtop. What a wonder if it were still in Bridgeport. Barnum was a superb archivist of his own activities. It's really a shame he did not document the interior of Iranistan.

[@jacquelinenoble6640]

Enjoyed this one very much, wow what a sight it must have been.? Thankyou.

[@adriennesaintpierre2533]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it. I really marvel to think what that mansion would have looked like in its time--and the landscaped grounds as well!

[@BasementVinyL85]

Nobody never speaks on how beardsley park was the backyard and property of james beardsley before it was donated to the city of Bridgeport 👀..

[@kathleenmary1000]

Thanks for pointing that out. The Zoo did do a commemorative book for their 100th anniversary and did discuss the Beardsley family. The Museum actually has James Beardsley's portrait painting in the collection. We'll put the painting on our list to feature in our Curious People Wanted programming! Thank you for the idea! Stay well!

[@BasementVinyL85]

@@kathleenmary1000 Thats Awesome! And your welcome

[@nb8378]

Growing up on Edna Ave, we were always at the park! An do you remember the beach across from the park? Oh and skating, sledding. What a fantastic childhood 💖

[@BasementVinyL85]

@@nb8378 I remember the wonderland of ice.. I think Beardsley beach might be a tab before my time but must of been nice

[@Pandabee11]

That model makes me think of Brighton Pavilion.

[@kathleenmary1000]

YES! You're right! Barnum modeled his Iranistan mansion after visiting the Pavilion during his trip to England.

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

The actual foundation of this house is right across the street from the klein memorial building. It is now a huge parking lot for people that attend the events at the klein memorial.

[@kathleenmary1000]

Yes, isn't that fascinating?!! We have a City map in the collection that shows Fairfield Avenue, Iranistan with all the Barnum family contributing buildings on the land, along with the neighboring properties at that moment in time. We are good friends with our cultural colleagues at the Klein! Thank you for reaching out! K

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

@@kathleenmary1000 Thank you for responding !! I am not sure of this but i believe their is another house on park avenue which is about 100 feet from the main entrance memorial arch of seaside park. This house looks like it was built in the 1800s style and very gothic in the sense of a very scary haunted type of look. The windows and the wood and shape of this house is in the likes that i have never seen before. It has the look of dracula's castle and indeed very scary looking. I don't know the address to this house but i will try to find it. But i believe this house was built by PT Barnum because of it's unique gothic style of architecture.

[@kratosazar9759]

Would've of been nice if it still was stranding wow!

[@ApploniaDarling]

When will the museum open up again!!

[@kathleenmary1000]

Thanks for asking! The massive restoration of the exterior is about to begin and we're raising the needed funds for the interior re-envisioning. Disaster recovery is a long, complicated and expensive process, but we keep the ball moving forward, and we're so grateful to have wonderful YT viewers! We're getting there! Thanks again, K

[@ThatFunnyPlace]

Ancient tartarian structure

[@BasementVinyL85]

Nobody nvr asks, where was it exactly located on Fairfield Ave.???

[@kathleenmary1000]

If you are familiar with the current Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave - that is the parcel of land where Iranistan stood. The grounds surrounding the mansion expanded beyond the Klein building, so it was quite a sizable plot. Surely would have been spectacular to see!

[@youthfuljoy8060]

Yes I'm very familiar with the Klein area, I grew up on Norman St. To bad there's not enough history documented I just know alot of history comes with those houses in the west side area... You can just tell certain houses got hidden rooms and big spinning stairwells also huge rooms

[@youthfuljoy8060]

I also noticed Barnum named Caroline St. After his daughter on the east side and I was curious who are the people that has streets name after them like William St for example and why?

[@JuanReyes-if6ky]

@@kathleenmary1000 Would it be possible to rebuild the Iranistan mansion in honor of the great PT Barnum ?

[@kathleenmary1000]

@@JuanReyes-if6ky how amazing would that be?! It doesn't seem possible to replicate something so intricate now days. Alas. Fortunately, the Brighton Pavilion in the UK (the model for Iranistan) still stands, and gives us a glimpse into Bridgeport's architectural past. Thanks!!

[@73jaydub]

You should tell the real history!

[@BarnumMuseum]

Do you know of any information we've missed? If so, we'd love to hear it and then possibly update the video!

[@opticscourseiit3490]

I don't think he realized that Iranistan is an insult to Persian's sovereignty. Iran is a conglomeration of provinces ending with -istan representing the ethnicity of the locals allied to form Iran, i.e. Kurdistan, Baluchistan, Loristan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, etc. some of which are now considered provinces of the greater Iran. Iran, thus can never be Iranistan.