# Shakespeare’s birthplace nearly shipped to US by Barnum

2026-08-14T09:04:49+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

William Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon was nearly bought by American showman P.T. Barnum in 1847 and shipped to New York as a theme-park attraction. The Times of India reports that Barnum wrote in his 1855 memoirs that he dispatched an agent with cash to buy the Henley Street house. A committee including Charles Dickens raised £3,000 through donations and a bank loan to outbid Barnum at a public auction on September 16, 1847. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust now owns and runs the house as a museum and international literary landmark. Prince Albert donated £250 to the purchase fund. Barnum had visited Stratford in 1844 while touring Europe with his show, which drew 400,000 visitors a year.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/shakespeares-birth-home-was-about-to-be-shipped-to-the-us-in-1847-the-shakespeare-trust-had-to-buy-it-for-3000-to-save-it-from-a-showman-who-wanted-to-make-it-a-theme-park-attraction/articleshow/133232772.cms>

Tags: 1847 sale, heritage, history, P.T. Barnum, Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon
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