BRIDGEPORT – The Barnum Museum has received two Emmy Award nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter for its acclaimed original digital series, “Showman’s Shorts.”
These nominations recognize the museum’s outstanding achievement in using creative storytelling to bring history to life, engaging audiences across the region and beyond with accessible, entertaining, and impactful content.
The nominations are in the following categories:
- Writer: Short Form Content
“Showman’s Shorts” — Betsy Golden Kellem, Writer & Host - Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content
“Showman’s Shorts” — William Sarris, Producer/Director; Rui Pinho, Producer/Editor; and Betsy Golden Kellem, Writer/Host
“Showman’s Shorts” is a digital short-form video series produced by the Barnum Museum that brings surprising, humorous, and often little-known stories from the life and legacy of P.T. Barnum to modern audiences. It was created during the museum’s ongoing building restoration and re-envisioning. Sponsors of the series include M&T Bank, CT Humanities, and the City of Bridgeport.
“We are overjoyed and deeply honored to have Showman’s Shorts recognized by the Academy,” said Kathleen Maher, executive director of the Barnum Museum. “These nominations are a testament to the remarkable talent, creativity, and passion of our Museum’s team, and to their dedication to producing dynamic, innovative content that celebrates the past while looking enthusiastically to the future. It’s a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of Barnum’s story and the timeless impact of great storytelling.”
The winners will be announced at the 48th Annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards Gala on June 7, 2025, in Boston.
The Barnum Museum, which is temporarily closed while undergoing renovations, is the last remaining institution directly tied to Phineas Taylor Barnum. Owned by the City of Bridgeport and operated by the nonprofit Barnum Museum Foundation Inc., the Museum was officially designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service in 2023.
It is currently undergoing a restoration after damage from a tornado, hurricanes, and the impact of Covid. The museum has a $30 million capital campaign to help pay for the restoration and new vision.
