Start your history road trip!

Opening Mon April 21

Pick up your 2025 Member PastPort and start collecting stamps when you visit Circus World! Redeem your stamps for discounts or even a free year of membership!
Not a member? Join today to get in on the fun.

Start your history road trip!

Opening Mon April 21

Pick up your 2025 Member PastPort and start collecting stamps when you visit Circus World! Redeem your stamps for discounts or even a free year of membership!
Not a member? Join today to get in on the fun.

Explore Circus World

What began with less than an acre of land, six historic circus wagons plus a lot of grit, determination, and passion, has now become an internationally recognized and respected institution encompassing 64 acres, 30 permanent structures, seven winter quarters buildings along Water Street, plus the Ringling Bros. Circus Train shed complex, and over 260 spectacular wagons. Circus World truly is “Wisconsin’s National Treasure!”

Our Treasures

As other entertainment forms gained popularity, Circus World began documenting and collecting important treasures of the American Circus. From original Ringling Circus buildings to the smallest flea circus prop

Our Treasures will astonish!

Get the Best Deal in History 

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive unlimited free admission to our 11 historic sites and museums, a complimentary annual subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History, merchandise discounts and more. Join at the Family level and above for added benefits and discounts at over 1,200 organizations nationwide! 


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Circus World

Circus World

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Circus World - Official

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5 days ago
Circus World

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀: Happy spring! In the world of the circus, spring historically meant heading out for a new season. For audiences in New York City, the arrival of the circus at Madison Square Garden has been a rite of spring since the 1880s. The tradition began with Barnum & Bailey Circus and continued with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus into the 2000s. Take a look at some of our favorites featuring Madison Square Garden throughout the years!

📸: Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus played Madison Square Garden when Barnum & Bailey Circus was touring Europe for five years at the turn of the century | Image ID CWi 14143

📸: Advertising for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus targeted diverse audiences throughout New York City, including a Yiddish poster heralding the show’s opening on April 11, 1935 | Image ID CWi 18681

📸: In 1942, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus program included an elephant ballet featuring choreography by George Balanchine and music by Igor Stravinsky. This photo shows the massive herd of elephants performing in Madison Square Garden in their tutus | Image ID CWi 2301
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𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀: Happy spring! In the world of the circus, spring historically meant heading out for a new season. For audiences in New York City, the arrival of the circus at Madison Square Garden has been a rite of spring since the 1880s. The tradition began with Barnum & Bailey Circus and continued with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus into the 2000s. Take a look at some of our favorites featuring Madison Square Garden throughout the years! 

📸: Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus played Madison Square Garden when Barnum & Bailey Circus was touring Europe for five years at the turn of the century |  Image ID CWi 14143 

📸: Advertising for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus targeted diverse audiences throughout New York City, including a Yiddish poster heralding the show’s opening on April 11, 1935 | Image ID CWi 18681 

📸: In 1942, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus program included an elephant ballet featuring choreography by George Balanchine and music by Igor Stravinsky. This photo shows the massive herd of elephants performing in Madison Square Garden in their tutus | Image ID CWi 2301Image attachmentImage attachment
7 days ago
Circus World

𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: The Hagenbeck-Wallace Lion’s Bride Tableau Wagon, built in 1905 by the Cincinnati-based Bode Wagon Co. for the Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show. It remained with the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus as a lead bandwagon until 1925 and was later acquired by John Ringling as part of the American Circus Corporation in 1929. It made a notable appearance in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ 1945 War Bond Parade in New York.

This wagon was one of four historic circus wagons that made their triumphant return to Circus World last week.

See this wagon and many others from our colossal collection of vintage circus wagons – the world’s largest collection – with a visit this spring. We open on April 21.

📸: Lion’s Bride wagon on the showgrounds of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in 1920. | CWi 4986

📸: Lion’s Bride wagon undergoing restoration at Circus World | CWi 4987

📸: Lion’s Bride wagon rolling down Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee during the Great Circus Parade in 2003 | CWi 4988

📸: The Lion's Bridge wagon's return to Circus World | March 10, 2025
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Comment on Facebook

Its been a couple years since i visited, but memories stick around! Tons of history!

She is SO lovely. The infant riding the ostrich carving is 100% circus whimsy! Was exciting to see it arrive on the semi!

I always worried about them when they were stored in a warehouse in the hurricane belt and flood zone. Good they are back up north. Aside from the above, the humid southern climate alone takes its toll on horse drawn vehicles.

That's a beauty!

👍👍👍

sould be used for lgbtqabcdefg people

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1 week ago
Circus World

𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀: The Wallenda name has been associated with thrilling acts in the United States for almost 100 years. Under the leadership of Karl Wallenda, the Great Wallendas made their Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus high wire debut in 1928 after performing together for multiple years in Europe. What began as a three high pyramid in the early years developed into an astonishing seven-person pyramid by 1947. Members of the Wallenda family are still performing today, continuing to exhilarate audiences around the globe with their daring feats.

📸: Great Wallendas shortly after their arrival to the United States, including (L-R): Joe Geiger, Karl Wallenda, Herman Wallenda, and Helen Krie | Image ID CWi 38003

📸: Great Wallendas were heavily featured in advertising for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, including this 1934 lithograph | Image ID CWi 18602

📸: Three person Wallenda pyramid at Madison Square Garden in 1934 | Image ID CWi 38005

📸: Seven person Wallenda pyramid in 1949.
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Comment on Facebook

Wonderful! Oh the costumes! Love the old photos. Incredible talent!