lifestyle supported by slavery were bitter pills for former advocates of the Confederacy.  Barnum’s “American Museum”

featured exhibits that presented African Americans and abolitionism in a positive light.  It stood for many northern ideals.

These exhibits enraged visitors who harbored southern sympathies.

     From the point of view of a defeated Confederate supporter the posters and paintings that honored African Americans

were difficult to tolerate.  A poster of Joyce Heth, a former slave of Augustine Washington, credited her with “raising an

infant who, in after days, led our heroic fathers on to glory, to victory, and freedom.” Another poster presented Captain

Robert Small as being a courageous African American quartermaster.  Barnum also had a number of exhibits extolling the

virtues of  John Brown, the abolitionist.  One display included his pike which he used in an act of rebellion against slavery.

               Barnum’s museum was very successful and was “the most visited museum” of its time.  The curious and intriguing

nature of  its exhibits drew thousands from all over the world.  The museum was an inexpensive form of entertainment that

quickly became a part of popular culture of New York City. In addition to the numerous exhibits related to the Civil War,

Barnum often included exhibits concerning current  issues in the United States.  Professor Livingston, for example was known

as the museum's phrenologist. Phrenology was a  popular study and was widely accepted during the 1880's.  “What is it?” an

exhibit of a man/beast was an exhibit featured in the museum right after Charles Darwin wrote his book on evolution.

               Barnum also gave people the opportunity to judge the authenticity of the exhibits themselves.  The “Feejee

 Mermaid”, for example elevated the average person to the level of the learned scientists who debated the creatures origin.

The blurb advertising never claimed that the mermaid was  genuine, but instead included statements that lead one to accept its

authenticity.  It provided the readers with an entry to a debate as well as provided them with the opportunity to see “the

greatest curiosity in the world.”  Additionally, the "Feejee Mermaid", as well as many  exhibits in the museum, provided the

guests with a sense of relief and superiority.  “There but for the grace of God,” they would say as they as examined the

displays “go I.”