Wisconsin’s Circus World Museum keep history alive

By Harold Merton

Kids of all ages love a circus!

When I was a youngster we anxiously waited for nearly a year in the hopes that when it did come to town we had saved enough of our money for errands to be able to go.

The circus was a major event in our lives!

Like many people in my age group, I miss the circus.

You’ll understand then that I was enthused when I found out that there was a fabulous circus museum in the State of Wisconsin which is easily reached in a day or so drive from my home area of southern Ontario.

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin’s Circus World Museum is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin on the site of the original Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters. The site is a National Historic Landmark and the museum owned by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and is operated by the non-profit organization Circus World Museum Foundation.

In 1884 five Ringling brothers started a circus in their hometown of Baraboo, a small agricultural commnity7 in the heart of central Wisconsin’s dairyland. Within 20 years it grew into the largest circus in the world, and the brothers became famous.

Eventually they bought out their biggest competitor and took the name Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows - The Greatest Show on Earth.

The American circus had its birthplace in Philadelphia in 1793. However, it was the territory of Wisconsin in 1874 that drew scores of enterprising circus owners, including P.T. Barnum and the Ringling brothers.

In this new frontier the circus owners rapidly realized that they could perform to appreciative Midwestern audiences all summer long and stay right there for the winter, rather than returning on the long journey to their east coast winter quarters. Wisconsin has been home to so many circuses that some have called the state “the mother of circuses.” The sawdust, spangles and spellbinding quality of the circus is an integral part of Wisconsin’s heritage.

The man who had for 33 years been the Ringling’s personal attorney for all their circus interests, John M. Kelley, came up with the idea for the circus museum when the heyday of the tented circus was drawing to a close in the 1950s. He envisioned a place to preserve the golden days of the circus empires right where the “kings of the circus” had began theirs.

After years of fundraising and a slow start, he saw his dream become a reality with a couple original Ringling Bros. Circus buildings and a limited amount of donated artifacts. In July of 1959 nearly 10,000 people attended the dedication and opening of Circus World Museum.

In 1960 an Elephant House was added to the original Camel House and Ring Barn, then a year later they erected a Hippodrome.

In 1964 Rail Car Shops was acquired followed by a library and research centre in the following year.

In 1969 the W.W. Deppe Wagon Pavilion opened and just three years later they began a Big Top Performance.

Year earlier a circus parade had been initiated in Milwaukee and it was re-introduced as the Great Circus Parade in 1985 just a year before a gift of 11 aces of land allowed the Museum to expand considerably.

A replication of a full-scale circus lot opened to the public in 1988 and Irvin Field Exhibit Hall and a Visitors Centre the next season.

A major achievement took place in 1992 when the 1897 Animal House was acquired along with Ringling Winter Quarters Office. Ringlingville restoration began.

In 1997 a circa 1901 Animal House was also acquired and a year later the C.P. Fox Wagon Restoration Centre opened and the wagon pavilion was remodeled.

To complete recent improvements an artifacts storage facility was established in 1999.

The Great Circus Parade was first presented in downtown Milwaukee in 1963. The Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee was the exclusive sponsor until 1973.

After a lapse of 12 years, the Circus Parade returned in 1985 and has been presented annually in July ever since, funded by contributions from many public and corporate benefactors. The 3 mile long horse-drawn parade brings back to life the historical circus street pageants of long ago. A colorful three-day journey by train from Baraboo to Milwaukee and five days of circus fun a the parade showgrounds on Milwaukee’s lakefront precede the Sunday parade.

Visitors to the Museum site can enjoy a Big Top Circus Performance starring an ensemble cast of international circus artists. The one-hour show is presented under a traditional big top tent.

Each day visitors can also experience attractions like the Elephant Encounter where they learn about the jumbo animals, touch them and even feed them. As weather permits, the pachyderms also take a welcome splash in the Baraboo River that runs through the Museum’s grounds.

Throughout the day, children of all ages can enjoy a clown makeup demonstration, street parade, circus music concert and a train loading and unloading demonstration.

The World’s Greatest Showmen, a story about Baraboo’s famous Ringling brothers is shown every hour in the Irvin Feld Exhibit Hall and Visitor Center’s audiovisual theater.

In the C.P Fox Wagon Restoration Centre, spectators watch as craftsmen restore and preserve the Museums unequalled antique circus wagon collection. Next door in the W.W. Deppe Wagon Pavilion, more than 50 restored circus parade wagons have been placed on exhibit. These massive works of art feature fanciful themes and elaborate colorful designs comprised of gilded wood carvings, painted scenes and mirrors.

New in 2000 was the Razzle Dazzle Revue, a 30 minute program that included juggling, comedy, unicycles, magical illusions, live band music and antique novelty instruments.

For 2001 the Museum will open from Saturday May 5th through Labor Day, Monday September 3rd.

New this year is an exhibit featuring circus poster treasures. Approximately 60 original circus lithographs will be the focus of this spectacular new exhibit scheduled to open in June.

The Museum is open all year but limited facilities are available off season. Summer hours are normally 9 am to 6 pm but expanded evening hours take place from July 20th to August 11th when they are open to 9pm.

In September fall hours come into effect (September 5 to 30 in 2001) when the attraction is open from 10 am to 4 pm.

Circus World Museum is 12 minutes off I90/94 via Highway 12 or 33. They are just 12 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells, a major tourist area in the state. Once in Baraboo just follow the signs to their site.

You can listen to a 24 hour recorded information line by calling (608) 356-0800 or you can visit their web site at www.circusworldmuseum.com

Look for their brochures at tourist outlets. The 2000 Circus Parade Spectacular brochure (a listing of the exhibits in the parade) carried a coupon allowing all adults in to the Baraboo Museum for the kid’s price.

Be a kid again! Better still take the kids with you.

Keep an eye out for me because you might find me trying to sneak in under the canvas on the side of the big top.

The Great Circus Parade once again will march through downtown Milwaukee on Sunday, July 15, 2001 rain or shine. This colossal event will bring together horses, wagons, exotic animals, bands, participants in elaborate costumes and clowns to create an event like no other that celebrates the circus.

Included in the 2001 Parade are the following:

Sparks Tableau Wagon Restored to Original Splendor - This wagon will make its debut at the Great Circus Parade as a newly restored wagon in the Circus World Museum collection. The under carriage, structure and carvings were restored to produce a gold-coloured sea serpent ornamentation and deep red coloured background . The wagon is restored to the 1910s era. A band with new costumes will ride atop the wagon. New Side Saddle Ridging Troupe to Shine - Eight members of the International Side Saddle Association clad in costumes of dark burgundy trimmed in sliver will add extra style to the Parade this year. Thei r exquisite costumes created by the Circus World Museum Wardrobe Department are based on historic pictures of side-saddle troupes in circus parades.

Old favourites to delight long-time fans - The 40-horse hitch, stiltwalking Uncle Sam, America Steam Calliope, Ringling Bros, Bell Wagon, elephants, camels, tigers and more will delight the dedicated parade watchers and stir memories of parades past. These Great Circus Parade staples are what make the Parade a Milwaukee tradition.

Strong Investments Great Circus Train:

Great Circus Parade activities will begin with the loading of the half mile-long Strong Investments Great Circus Train on Friday, July 6, at Circus World Museum. Spectators gather to watch 75 antique circus wagons loaded onto rail flat cars, a process involving traditional circus methods and authentic horsepower. In 2001, the Great Circus Train will embark on a three-day journey through Wisconsin, beginning on Saturday,July 7 and arriving at Milwaukee’s lakefront on Monday, July 9. The train, carrying a colourful and visible cargo of circus wagons, will make several stops in central and eastern Wisconsin communities alongthe way. Strong Investments, of Menomonee Falls, WI, will sponsor The Great Circus Train for the 16th consecutive year. Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co. And Winconsin Central Systems are the two participating railroads..

2001 Great Circus Parade Showgrounds:

From Tuesday, July 10 through Saturday, July 14, Milwaukee’s 60-acrelakefront Veterans Park will be transformed into the 2001 Great Circus Parade Showgrounds. Showgrounds admission and most events are free of charge. Daily features will include Royal Hanneford Circus performances starring an all new international cast, the Buffalo Bill Encampment and Wild West Exhibit, antique band organ concerts, the Grand Horse Fair, a petting zoo, camel, elephant and carousel rides, and a colossal circus wagon display. Royal Hanneford Circus Performance tickets are $7 perperson (Tuesday - 5 & 8 pm; Wednesday - 2, 5 & 8 pm; Thursday and Friday11 am, 2, 5 & 8 pm; Saturday - 10 am 1, 3, 5 & 8 pm). Advance circus tickets are available from Circus World Museum (608) 356-8341.

Circus World Museum:

This world-famous circus history institution will present its 2001summer season from Saturday, May 5 through Labour Day, Monday, September3. The historic site is located at the original winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. Circus, a National Historic Landmark, in Baraboo, WI. The Museum’s 2001 season will feature daily educational programming, attractions and exhibits for children of all ages, including the Big Top Circus Performance with acts from around the world, the Razzle Dazzle Revue circus variety show, and Elephant Encounters. Circus World Museum is owned by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and operated by the not-for-profit Circus World Museum Foundation.

For information contact: General Parade info - (608) 356-8341. Parade Bleacher Seats - Available along the parade route at $25 each (608) 3568341. Accommodation - Grater Milwaukee Convention & visitors Bureau 1800-554-1448 or (414) 273-7222. Web site www.circusparade.com

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