Andrew Warde Graduate Part of Distinguished Team at Barnum Museum Program to Relive Bridgeport's Heyday on Saturday, January 31

The Barnum Museum invites area residents to relive the heyday of the Park City when downtown Bridgeport was a hot spot in the area. The team of former mayor Len Paoletta, Jeffrey Williams, and Tony Procaccini will bring the story of old Bridgeport to life with fond remembrances as they tour through the museum’s exhibitions at a program scheduled for Saturday, January 31, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join this informal discussion and share their personal memories of the people, places and historical events that happened in Bridgeport, focusing primarily on the period from 1900 to 1950. The hope is that the collective memories of everyone at this event will help create an excitement about Bridgeport’s unique place in society starting at the turn of the century.

Leonard Paoletta is one of the most-highly respected and admired figures in recent Bridgeport history. He is a former mayor of the city and founder and president of the non-profit group B.A.C.I.O., Inc. (Bridgeport Area Cultural Italian Organization). This organization promotes and fosters Italian culture via a variety of methods. BACIO's web is www.bacioinc.com.

Jeffrey Williams has produced numerous Bridgeport calendars, including Bridgeport by the Sea 2009, the most recent offering. On Saturdays from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., he hosts the popular weekly show "At the Ritz!" on WVOF FM 88.5. He has interviewed Frank Sinatra, Jr., Les Brown, Sr., Mickey Rooney, Gene Wilder and Artie Shaw. Visit www.attheritz.org. The accompanying photographs are from his Bridgeport By the Sea 2009 calendar.

Anthony Procaccini, a Fairfield native and 1976 graduate of Andrew Warde High School, is music director of Saint Patrick's Church, Bridgeport, a Frank Sinatra historian, a former long-time accompanist of Benny Rae, and a Bridgeport history enthusiast. For more on Procaccini, visit www.freewebs.com/tonyproca.

The Barnum Museum has three floors of absolutely fascinating exhibits that illustrate the extraordinary life of Phineas Taylor Barnum. P.T. Barnum, one-term mayor of Bridgeport and four-term member of the Connecticut General Assembly, was born July 5, 1810 in Bethel and died April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport. The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is handicap accessible.

What: Bridgeport Nostalgia Walk and Discussion
When: Saturday, January 31 at noon - 1:30 p.m.
Where: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT
Cost: The event is free with General Admission; Adults: $7, Seniors and college students: $5, Children 4 - 17: $4, Under 4: Free

The regular Barnum Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, Noon - 4:30 p.m. Call 203-331-1104 ext. 102 or visit http://www.barnum-museum.org/.

Please sign the AWHS Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film".