Rediscover Bridgeport through its Tourist Attractions
by MEG BARONE, CT Post
Were P.T. Barnum still alive, the ultimate showman would preside
as ringmaster, not only over his own circus but all of Bridgeport, beckoning
people from near and far into the Park City to enjoy its numerous attractions.
Bridgeport has its own multi-ring circus with more attractions per
square mile than most municipalities. Gregg Dancho, Director of Connecticut’s
Beardsley Zoo, said few places in the state have the wealth of attractions
Bridgeport does, and all within a small radius.
With two museums, Connecticut’s only Zoo, several art galleries, a
cabaret, a playhouse, a symphony orchestra, a sports and performing arena, and
a baseball field, Bridgeport offers a lot of exciting options for Staycationers
and vacationers. “It’s amazing what Bridgeport has to offer
in just 16 square miles,” said Jane Hollis, marketing director
of the Discovery Museum, which features permanent exhibits, traveling
exhibits, and the Henry B. duPont III Planetarium.
“The wonderful thing about Bridgeport as a fabulous tourist hub is most
certainly that it is right on the I-95 corridor and we are a convenient stop
for travelers up and down the coast,” said Kathy Maher, executive director
of the Barnum Museum. Maher said the museum has attracted people from all over
the world, including Germany, England, and Japan, and is likely to bring in many
visitors this year as 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Barnum’s
birth.
The museum will celebrate his birthday year-long with family events and
educational programs that will fully explore the breadth of Barnum’s very
complex character, from his politics to his circus. “The Barnum Museum
is the last surviving structure that is so linked to his history and that still
serves his commitment to enrich and educate and entertain the public,” Maher
said.
“There’s so much going on. There’s a tremendous amount of activity.
Bridgeport is an exciting place and just doesn’t get the credit its due,” said
Jeff Bishop, interim executive director of the Discovery Museum. In fact, few
people know that Bridgeport is home to the Housatonic Museum of Art at Housatonic
Community College. It has one of the most significant collections
of any two-year college nationwide and includes works by Rodin, Picasso,
Matisse, Miro and Chagall.
The Connecticut Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to quality family experiences specializing
in conservation, education and fun.
The Klein Memorial Auditorium is thriving under the direction of the
Fairfield Theatre Company as the promoter. “They have done a wonderful job with a
wide variety of dance, rock, classical and other performing arts. They’ve
really brought that institution back,” said Donald Eversley, Bridgeport’s
economic development director.
Maher said Bridgeport is becoming a very friendly walk-able city.
“Bridgeport is a great city; it was and it still is. People just have to
rediscover it,” Hollis said.
“It’s so family-oriented. You can take your kids to the Zoo, swimming
at Seaside Park, to a Bluefish game, or a Sound Tigers game, you can take them
to the museums. There is always something to do with young children,” said
Mayor Bill Finch.
THE HOUSATONIC MUSEUM OF ART– The Housatonic Museum
of Art, located at 900 Lafayette Blvd., features a collection of almost 4,000
works of art. Although the focus of the collection is of 20th Century Modern
and Contemporary work, there are also hundreds of works in the ethnographic
collection, including excellent examples of African, Asian and Mayan cultures.
There are numerous changing exhibitions every year, featuring local,
regional and national artists, as well as shows culled from the permanent
collection.
Changing exhibitions are held in the Bert Chernow Galleries while much
of the permanent collection is on display throughout the Housatonic
Community College buildings. For more information call 203-332-5000
or go online to www.hctc.commnet.edu/artmuseum <http://www.hctc.commnet.edu/artmuseum> .
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu