The Bridgeport History Center has digitized a portion of its holdings. We are always adding more material, so keep an eye on this page!
The P.T. Barnum Research Collection
Over a thousand items from the Bridgeport History Center and the Barnum Museum collections: advertisements, books, magazines, manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, prints, programs, records, sheet music, and souvenirs — all available through the Connecticut Digital Archives!
Bridgeport News Column – “From the Historical Collections”
History Center Head Emeritus Mary K. Witkowski wrote over 400 articles for the Bridgeport News during her tenure at the BHC. From the Historical Collections articles explore many facets of Bridgeport history –people, places, and things– from the renowned to the quirky, and will take readers on a delightful journey through the City’s past.
Circus – Barnum and London Circus Poster Collection
Posters produced for the Barnum and London Circus by the Strobridge Lithograph Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1882-1885.
Civil War Sketchbook: Connecticut’s 8th Volunteer Regiment and the Burnside Expedition
Watercolor, pencil, and ink depictions of General Burnside’s expedition in North Carolina, 1861-62, by eyewitness Corporal Joseph Shadek, CV8th, Company A.
Mayor Jasper McLevy Photograph Collection
Photographs of Bridgeport’s Socialist Mayor Jasper MeLevy taken throughout his career. Images show McLevy in his office at City Hall, engaged in political activities such as rallies, parades and voting, and at home with his wife, Vida, and dog Lassie.
Oral Histories – Bridgeport Cultural Arts Center, 1970-1986
Full audio and transcripts: Michelle Black-Smith Tompkins; Ralph Williams; Yohuru Williams; Wendy Bridgeforth; Richard Stamats; Cyril Lamont Williams; Teddy Daniel Gardner; Lucinda Anderson; Patricia Carey; Ryan Grant
Oral Histories – Bridgeport and New Haven Puerto Rican Oral Histories, 2023-2024
Fifth year Yale University doctoral candidate Amanda Rivera conducts oral histories to facilitate her research on the bilingual education movement in Bridgeport as led by Puerto Ricans in the 1970s. Rivera interviews community members about this topic in both Bridgeport and New Haven from 2023-2024. The interviews she conducted are now part of the History Center holdings as an oral history collection.
Oral Histories – Bridgeport Working: Voices from the Twentieth Century
Currently available, full audio and full transcripts with chapters: John Arcudi; Angela Baldino; Hillard Bloom; Frank Bridgeforth; Richard Fewell; Emmett Johnson; Elizabeth Josephson; David Kelly; Helen Mensch-Mott; Edna Smith
Photographs – Bicycle Clubs in Bridgeport: Rolling with the Times
At the turn of the last Century, there were several bicycle clubs in Bridgeport. These groups took outings to city parks and the surrounding countryside. Here are some images of the members and their equipment.
Photographs – Bridgeport Cultural Arts Center, 1970-1986
Hundreds of images of the Arts Center by BCAC photography instructor Richard Stamats. Students, teachers and Center activities are shown.
Photographs – Bridgeport Public Library: Images Across the Years
A collection of exterior and interior photographs of the various Bridgeport Public Library buildings over the years.
Photographs – Street Scenes
Photographic images taken from the History Center’s general photograph collection. Check back each month for new additions
Postcard Collection: Vintage Views of Bridgeport
Hundreds of postcards from the Bridgeport History Center’s collections
World War One Collection: Bridgeport during WWI
Photographs taken on the home front in Bridgeport during the WWI era. Subject areas include liberty bonds, military exercises, parades and more.