Part of our Truths in Our Time Series – “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain

Step right up for a revelatory deep dive into the world of nineteenth century spectacle and subversion. Jumping Through Hoops uncovers the untold stories of the daring women and gender-nonconforming performers who defied the limitations of their era—not just by thrilling audiences, but by redefining what it meant to be seen. Through rich storytelling and sharp cultural insight, historian and author Betsy Golden Kellem traces how the evolution of the American circus paralleled seismic shifts in gender roles and public life. Don’t miss this engaging exploration of performance, gender, and the glittering oddities of the past.

Books are available for purchase, and the author will sign copies following the discussion. Reserve your tickets here!

The Truths in Our Time Series explores the role of non-fiction in illuminating societal challenges, this series reflects Twain’s legacy of using literature to provoke critical discussions and foster social change.

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About the Author:

Betsy Golden Kellem is a scholar of the unusual. Her writing on circus and entertainment history has appeared in venues including The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Washington Post, Public Domain Review, Smithsonian, Atlas Obscura, and Slate. A board member of the Barnum Museum and the Circus Historical Society, Betsy is an Emmy winner for her Showman’s Shorts video series on P. T. Barnum. She is a columnist for JSTOR Daily and regularly teaches and speaks for academia and industry. If you ask nicely, she will juggle knives for you. She lives in North Haven, Connecticut.

About the Moderator:

Kathleen Maher is Executive Director of the Barnum Museum and a national leader in historic preservation, museum innovation, and disaster recovery. Under her leadership, the museum became a National Historic Landmark and is undergoing a fifty million dollar transformation into New England’s first immersive, tech-driven history destination. Her work has earned national recognition, including honors from the State of Connecticut and First Lady Laura Bush. She holds an MA from NYU/Metropolitan Museum of Art.