Barnum's American Museum contained a large auditorium, sometimes touted as the "Exhibition Saloon," which hosted lectures and speeches by scientists, explorers, writers, and other noteworthy figures.
The lectures at the museum were something of the talk shows of their day, as people who had some amazing tale to relate would be booked into the lecture hall and would regale visitors with their stories of adventure or discovery.
Barnum's greatest attraction was General Tom Thumb, who first arrived at the American Museum when the establishment was less than a year old. His stage performances, in which he sang and danced and imitated famous figure from history, were a mainstay of the museum for years.
