A Grand Arrival Downtown
Born Charles Stratton, General Tom Thumb was discovered by legendary showman P.T. Barnum when he was just four years old, and by the time he made his way to Ottawa, he was already a household name across two continents. On October 4 and 5, 1861, he took the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre, arriving in a miniature carriage pulled by tiny ‘Lilliputian’ horses, a spectacle that must have stopped foot traffic downtown.
Ottawa Becomes A Regular Stop
The city clearly left an impression, because Stratton kept coming back. He returned in 1864, 1876 and 1883, this time with his wife Lavinia by his side, and reportedly delighted crowds by showing off jewels gifted to the couple by European royalty. It’s a reminder that Ottawa has always had a taste for a good show, even in the horse-and-carriage era.
The Countess Carries On
After Stratton’s death in 1883, Lavinia continued performing under a new stage name, Countess Magri, touring alongside her second husband, another dwarf performer known for being even shorter than Stratton. She brought her act back to Ottawa in 1887 and again in 1896, keeping the family’s connection to the city alive well into the century’s final years.
A Piece Of Local History Worth Remembering
It’s easy to forget just how far Ottawa’s entertainment roots stretch, but stories like this one are a fun reminder that the city has always known how to welcome a headline act. So next time you’re strolling past where Her Majesty’s Theatre once stood, spare a thought for the tiny carriage, the miniature horses and the crowds who once gathered to see one of the world’s most famous performers, right here in the capital.
