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!
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𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 One of our favorites at the Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center is a collection of concept art and storyboards created for The Greatest Show on Earth. Audience flocked to see the film when it was released in 1952, a lavish spectacle produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille that brought the glitz and glamour of the circus to the big screen. DeMille closed a deal with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1949 to use the show’s facilities and personnel for the film. Although he was a long-time circus fan, DeMille trouped with the show to learn more prior to filming. He hired an artist named John Jensen to create concept art, and Jensen made hundreds of sketches and paintings while studying the circus. DeMille’s daughter, Cecilia DeMille Harper, donated some of this artwork to Circus World in 1968.
📸: Storyboards like these are illustrations that outline the sequence of events and represent how each shot of the film will unfold to help planning and ensure continuity | CWi Image ID 1968.5.12
📸: Concept artists sketch and paint illustrations to further define and develop the characters and settings | CWi Image ID 1968.5.17
📸: John Jensen painted the detailed parade image in October 1950, and the movie’s parade scene was filmed in Sarasota a few months later with many of the same elements represented | CWi Image ID 1968.5.19 ... See MoreSee Less
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An amazing artist. A great addition to the collection. When you watch the film, it ties back to these drawings. Cool stuff.
𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: While we previously shared some earlier stages of restoration on this wagon, today we wanted to feature the finished product completed in our shop this past summer. The wagon is Gollmar Bros. Tableau Wagon #44, although most circus fans refer to it as the Lion and Tiger Tableau because of the paintings on its sides. Baraboo’s own Gollmar Bros. Circus built this parade wagon in 1910 and used it on the show until 1916. The wagon spent time on a variety of smaller circuses throughout the 1920s before it ended up in storage with George Christy in Houston. A private collector purchased the wagon in the 1950sCircus World World acquired it in 1964 through the Schlitz Brewing Company.
The initial restoration in 1965 included new paintings for the sides inspired by the original and were completed by renowned sideshow banner painter Fred Johnson. When these were removed from the sides in 2023, the original paintings were revealed below. Local artist Joan Stevens provided the new lion and tiger paintings for the wagon. Heavy Burdick and Bill Bahr expertly led this recent restoration with generous funding from the Gollmar family.
📸: Finishing touches of the restoration were completed right in time to be pulled out for the 2024 Big Top Parade in Baraboo | Photo courtesy Kayce Dervetski.
📸: Historical research by Heavy and Bill revealed that the wagon had an open top while in circus use. Significant wear and tear on the interior indicated it may have been used to haul chairs or jacks.
📸: Wagon loaded on the Cole Bros. train in 1930 | CWi Image ID 2518.
📸: Wagon featured a lyre on the side for a short period of time | CWi Image ID 1957 ... See MoreSee Less
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I so wish my grandfathers circus wagon could get some attention! It was beautiful at one time! It’s rusting and every year looks a little sadder! It’s really the only wagon left from Seils Sterling circus! One of the largest motorized circus of its time! A few people have said they would donate funds to help restore this beautiful wagon!Love circus world, and realize the old wagons are important, but all the wagons should be important!Each year I feel a little sadder!
This orange wagon was so colorful in the parade last year. So pretty. With over 200 wagons to choose from I wonder what is next 🙂 thanks for the hard work by many people to make this restoration possible.
Heavy’s the GOAT!
Where is the wagon kept (stored)?
Down in Florida til early May.
Beautiful
Beautiful Wagon
Beverly N Jason Terry Gollmars everywhere. 🙂
You guys best stick around for another 40 years. Because when I retire I think I’ll be knocking on your door
Alexander Rodriguez
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𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Eph Thompson was among the first Black American animal trainers in the American circus. Thompson started his career in the early 1880s with the Adam Forepaugh Circus and was known for his boxing elephant act. A skilled trainer, Thompson revolutionized the way elephants were presented in the ring with sophisticated acts including elephants as fire fighters, bowling, and playing an orchestra. Racial prejudices compelled him to move to Europe where he enjoyed a successful career with several shows. This 1902 poster, dating from his time in Europe, shows Thompson with the elephant Mary performing a summersault, an act that took nine months to perfect.
📸: CWi 40013 ... See MoreSee Less
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Man, I am a fan of the arrows pointing out the elephant's direction. 🙂 interesting post and wonderful poster!
Nice seeing and riding the elephants was my favorite thing to do there I still wish I could’ve brought my nephew and niece to in joy the just this one time
Not in Dame County anymore…
Bon Vivant ♥️🐘