Eric D. Lehman author of Becoming Tom Thumb (20 Sep 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

About the Event

Our September Circus History Live! program will feature Eric D. Lehman who is the author of Becoming Tom Thumb: Charles Stratton, P.T. Barnum, and the Dawn of American Celebrity.

When P. T. Barnum met twenty-five-inch-tall Charles Stratton at a Bridgeport, Connecticut hotel in 1843, one of the most important partnerships in entertainment history was born. With Barnum's promotional skills and the miniature Stratton's comedic talents, they charmed a Who's Who of the 19th century, from Queen Victoria to Charles Dickens to Abraham Lincoln.

Dr. Lehman authored or edited over twenty books. He is Director of Publications and Special Projects at the University of Bridgeport. His biography of Charles Stratton won the Henry Russell Hitchcock Award from the Victorian Society of America, and was chosen as one of the American Library Association's outstanding university press books of the year. You will not want to miss this fascinating presentation about Tom Thumb!

Circus Historical Society vice president Chris Berry will host this session.

Registration is Required

Circus History Live! is free for Circus Historical Society members and non-members. However, because our Zoom Big Top has a limited number of seats, registration is required and nonmembers are encouraged to join CHS.

To register, click the green YES button at the top of the announcement or the REGISTER button on the top left of the event webpage.

How to Attend the Event

To participate, at the time of the event, click here to enter the CHS Zoom Big Top and follow the prompts. Be sure that your microphone is muted and your video is off to help preserve bandwidth.

To listen to the program on your phone, dial (646) 931-3860. Enter Meeting ID 841 4052 2108. The passcode is: 968703.

About the Circus Historical Society

We are a tax exempt nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. Nonmembers are invited to join and receive full member benefits, including four issues of Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society, access to the members-only Back Yard and bookstore, discounted registration for our annual Convention, and more! Dues are only $60 per year. Click here to learn more and join today!

Circus History Live! Recordings

Please visit the CHS YouTube Channel for recordings of previous Circus History Live! programs.

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