The paintings sub-collection includes portraits and landscape views, mainly from the mid-1800s. The portraits include P. T. Barnum’s family members, and Charles S. Stratton, better known as Gen. Tom Thumb. There is also a maritime painting (ship portrait); a house portrait done for a prominent Bridgeport resident; a view of the City Reservoir; and two landscape views of Barnum’s Iranistan property. Known artists include Frederick R. Spencer, R. R. Ramsey, Jurgen Frederick Huge, and L. Huge.
