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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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!
Where is the wagon kept (stored)?
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!
Down in Florida til early May.
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 ♥️🐘
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: Circus World's diverse collection contains costumes of all different shapes, sizes, and materials worn throughout the past 150 years. This includes wardrobe from more than just human performers, and you can find everything from a spider monkey dress to elephant blankets at the museum.
Today’s Wardrobe Wednesday pick is an elephant blanket from the 1983 season of Circus Vargas. Although the blanket was acquired almost 40 years ago, archival records donated more recently provided additional information about it. Designer Winn Morton conceived 11 blankets of varying colors and patterns for Vargas that season, each elaborately adorned with sequins and mirrors. Morton used Polaroid photos and measurements of the elephants to create each distinct blanket, and these are also part of Circus World’s archival collection.
Some changes appear to have been made from the original designs, as the blanket in Circus World’s collection has the name “Booper” written on the underside, while a color copy of the drawing for Booper features green colors instead of pinks and purples.
📸: Elephant blanket on display in the Feld Visitor Center at Circus World | Object ID 1986.3.1
📸: Winn Morton’s Circus Vargas blanket design for the elephant Joe featured a tiger platform at the top | Image ID CWi 42253
📸: Color copy with swatches stapled to it shows the blanket design for the elephant Booper | Image ID CWi 1950
📸: Photo taken by John Goodall in 1983 shows two of the Winn Morton-designed elephant blankets from that season, including the back half of the one now at Circus World | Image ID CWi 1952 ... See MoreSee Less
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Much research and thought go into these posts. Finding just the right image or drawing for support. The curator does a wonderful job! Love wardrobe wednesdays!
I've known your collection is world class for years and have told several people it's the best location for a deep dive into circus history in America.
Beautiful!