See You in Spring 2025!

Thanks for another stupendous season! We reopen for visitors in March 2025. Keep the magic of the circus alive! Your donation supports Circus World Museum’s preservation efforts and helps us continue sharing the wonder of circus history. Give today and be part of the legacy!

Explore Our Treasures

Your admission includes seven massive buildings filled with fascinating exhibits about America’s most popular form of entertainment for over 50 years. Come by and learn more about Circus History!

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!

Members Get Free Admission!

Become a Wisconsin Historical Society member and visit all 12 of our historic sites for free! Membership pays for itself in as little as two visits and includes other great benefits like discounts and reciprocal benefits to more than 1,200 organizations.


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Circus World

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Circus World - Official

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3 days ago
Circus World

Emmett Kelly (1898-1979) is one of the recognizable clowns of all time, delighting audiences throughout the world for more than 50 years. Although he began his circus career as an aerialist, Kelly is best known for developing a down-on-his luck clown named Weary Willie. This character resonated with audiences when he debuted during the Great Depression and continued to be a favorite of both young and old. Willie interacted with the other acts during circus performances, making Kelly’s clowning style very different than others at the time. Emmett Kelly possessed extraordinary artistic abilities that he used throughout his lifetime, including drawing cartoons, painting portraits, and even painting whimsical scenes on circus wagons. His talents also extended into television, film, and the stage. Although Kelly’s later career evolved away from the circus, he continued to perform as a clown until his death.

📸: Emmett Kelly married Eva Moore in 1923, and they performed together as the Aerial Kellys during the 1920s | CWi Image ID 1936

📸: Emmett Kelly is shown here with James Stewart on the set of the film The Greatest Show on Earth | CWi Image ID 1935

📸: Emmett Kelley completed this gouache self-portrait in 1966 | Object ID 2003.22.1

📸: Emmett Kelly signed this photo for circus fan and photographer Edward Kennedy while performing with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1946 | CWi Image ID 1931
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Sat ringside with Jesse Gollmar when Ringling Brothers Circus was in Janesville, Wisconsin in the 1950's. Emmett and Jesse, who was part of the Gollmar Brothers Circus family had been friends for decades. Emmett come over to us and did part of his act within arms reach. What a great memory!

I love these background stories!! Thanks!

I have a statue piece on this guy that I inherited from my grandfather when he passed.. (along with several other circus items)

Love the old aerialist photo!!

Jenny Allred Wright

Way cool!

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3 days ago
Circus World

Look to the air and watch for Cupid’s arrow as the very soulful, strong, and stunning, Sofia, performs her ethereal artistry on the aerial hammock. St. Valentine himself would fall in love with this act! Roses are red, the Big Top is blue, look to the air and my, what a view!

Celebrate classic and kooky holidays with our all-star caCircus World World during our live summer performance season Friday, May 16 – Sunday, August 31. 2025. Make your plans now for your family to celebrate with us!
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Look to the air and watch for Cupid’s arrow as the very soulful, strong, and stunning, Sofia, performs her ethereal artistry on the aerial hammock. St. Valentine himself would fall in love with this act! Roses are red, the Big Top is blue, look to the air and my, what a view!

Celebrate classic and kooky holidays with our all-star cast at Circus World during our live summer performance season Friday, May 16 – Sunday, August 31. 2025. Make your plans now for your family to celebrate with us!Image attachmentImage attachment

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So happy to see this talented beauty back again!!

Congratulations ❤️

❤️