Megan's Blog: The Circus Museum

The Ringling Museum is located in Sarasota, Florida, and is by far one of my favorite places in the Sunshine State. The Museum was originally the home of John and Mabel Ringling. The Ringlings played a critical role in the history of Florida, and the development of the Sarasota area. The Museum curators work to preserve the legacy of the Ringlings. The estate covers 66 acres, and consist of three main parts, the Ca’d’zan, the Museum of Art, and the Circus Museum.

Ca’d’zan means “House of John”, and the picturesque mansion was the winter home of John and Mabel. The manor is often referred to as the " last Gilded Age mansion”. The home features Venetian Gothic architecture, and captures the elegance of the Roaring Twenties.

Front view of the Ca'd'zan

Back view

Among their many interest, John and Mabel were art connoisseurs. For the majority of his life, John dedicated a great deal of time in building his extensive art collection. When John died in 1936, he bequeathed his collection to the State of Florida. The Art Museum displays John’s collection, and other collections that have been acquired over the years. Over 31 galleries are on display at the Art Museum. John Paul Ruben was a favorite of the Ringlings, and the museum has an extensive collection of Ruben’s paintings. The Art Museum also has a breath taking courtyard displaying awe-inspiring statues.

Front view of the Courtyard

Back view of the Courtyard

All parts of the Ringling Museum are gorgeous, and a must see if you are ever in the area. Because of my peculiar fascination with circus history, I will be spending the remainder of my blog focusing on the circus part of the Ringling Museum.

By the end of the Gilded Age, the name “Ringling” had become a household name in America. This was because of the circus created by John, and his four brothers. The Ringling circus was founded in 1880 by, John, Alfred, Otto, Al, Alf T., and Charles Ringling. The Ringling Brothers’ circus began as a family owned business, and the brothers made sure their circus upheld their founding family values. Inspiration for starting the circus came from the brothers attending a circus with their father. Following the family outing, the brothers were inspired to start their own circus. Their circus was a grassroots business, and began in the family back yard. After playing for a season in their back yard, they eventually arranged to rent out the town hall of their hometown. As with many cities during this time, the small Midwest town of Baraboo, Wisconsin was desperate for the entertainment the Ringling circus provided. In 1882, after their back yard season, the Ringlings literally decided to take their show on the road.

The Ringling circus began to travel all over the contiguous United States and each brother played a distinct role in the management of the circus. Alfred, the oldest brother, became in charge of organizing entertainment acts, and costumes. Otto was the frugal one in the family, and was in charge of finances. Alf used his charisma for public relations, and was in charge of advertising for the circus. Charles was responsible for the orchestra and synchronizing music with various circus acts. John coordinated the circus routes, and determined where the circus would stop. In 1890, when the circus switched from wagon to rail, John managed railroad routes for the circus.

In an indirect way, all of the exhibits at the Circus Museum pay tribute to one of the Ringling brothers. The museum has an abundant display of various circus costumes, and pictures of numerous circus acts. In the interactive center, there are clips of famous circus performances (I will spend more time on the interactive center in a little bit, there is actually a lot of fun things there). There is a great display of circus posters, and clips of newspapers advertising the circus. Some of the newspaper articles and posters include information about the financial side of the circus. Clips of music used in the circus are located through out the different displays. The Museum includes information on the circus switching from wagon to rail; furthermore, some copies of circus routes are on display. There is even a former circus wagon cart on display.

"Wisconsin" , a former circus wagon.

Picture of the calliope. The Calliope is able to produce

music by sending steam through the large whistles.

One of the coolest features of the Circus Museum is the “World’s Largest Miniature Circus”. The circus model is 3,800 square feet, and took over 50 years to build. The model is mind-blowing, and covers every imaginable detail of the circus. On the outskirts of the miniature circus, there is a timeline of circus history. The timeline emphasizes major events, changes, and people in the circus. I have a few pictures of the incredible miniature circus, but they do not do the work of art justice. If you have time, you should watch this short video to see the full model.

I truly love all parts of this Museum, and picking a favorite part is like choosing a favorite child (or at least what I would imagine choosing a favorite child to feel like). However, I can say without hesitation, that the interactive center is filled with fun activities. The interactive center gives you a chance to walk a tight rope (trust me, it is not as easy as it looks), stand by a fierce faux tiger, and practice your equestrian acts on a steel horse. You can even make an appearance in your very own circus poster, and learn how to properly apply your clown make-up (you know, just in case this whole grad school thing does not work out).