The Barnum Museum

The Barnum Institute of Science and History (Barnum Museum) is a Romanesque Revival style masonry building designed and constructed in 1893 at the bequest of the nationally renowned entertainment entrepreneur, Phineas Taylor Barnum. The Barnum Museum property is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Following a Tornado and multiple hurricanes in 2010, the Museum has been engaged in a full-scale restoration effort. Antinozzi Associates has been actively involved in this effort from both a volunteer and professional perspective since its inception, with a commission of professional A&E services in 2015.

In 2019, Antinozzi Associates was awarded the commission to provide Architecture & Interior Design and Project Management for the Building Envelope Rehabilitation.

As part of a multi-phase renovation and addition, exterior rehabilitation work will be undertaken to historically preserve and restore this prominent landmark in cooperation with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and funding from DECD. The building envelope analysis was used to provide the best harmony between energy efficiency and proper performance of the exterior envelope.

Re-envisioning of the Barnum Museum will be culminated by complete interior renovations, including renovations of the existing gallery space currently housed in the adjacent bank building. The completed project will showcase state-of-the-art exhibitions using ground-breaking technology, interactive storytelling, and immersive design to advance visitor learning and experience.