The Greatest Showman, P. T. Barnum, had deep ties to Connecticut. He was born and grew up in Bethel and spent much of his adult life in Bridgeport, where he served as mayor. The town of Bethel is proud of its native son, born in 1819. He began as a Bethel newspaperman and store owner.
When he was 60, P. T. Barnum established the traveling circus for which he is known today.
A statue of Barnum stands outside the library in his hometown of Bethel, Connecticut.