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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Historic carousel restoration underway at Circus World in Baraboo!
While winter means things are quiet under the big top, Circus World’s facilities department keeps busy with restoration and preservation. This winter, the Ringling brothers #60 wagon was in the shop for a fresh coat of paint and the Buck Jones #49 wagon is in for some minor restoration and a new paint job. Facilities have also been working on an exciting restoration of three carousel horses. Not just any horses. These three are circa-1917 wooden, Herschell Spillman horses. Herschell Spillman was considered one of the best big producers of carousels and band organs and is still in business today in New York state.
Bill Bahr and Tim Munz are doing the restoration, with one almost completed and the other two in the restoration process. First, Bahr and Munz take detailed pictures of the paint scheme so the horses can be accurately repainted. Then they completely remove the paint from the horse and sand it to a smooth finish. They then disassemble the horse, repairing broken or rotten pieces if they can or laminating and carving on new wood to match the existing. Wood filler is then used to repair any minor flaws. Lastly, they reassemble, prime paint and reinstall the horse on the carousel. “The process is very labor intensive and can take months to complete depending on how bad of shape the horse is in. It's important because it preserves a part of history and times gone by,” says Bahr. We’re so thankful for their hard work and looking forward to the horses’ return to the carousel. Giddy up!
You can see the wagons and carousel horses when Circus World opens for its spring season on Monday, April 21. Be sure to check out our performances this summer. Our show opens on Friday, May 16. ... See MoreSee Less
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Let me say for a lot of us how gratifying it is to see the carousel horses undergoing restoration. Several are in dire need. Yes, I’m aware of your financial situation after state financial support was cut by the taxpayers. That you are able to do these is monumental. Thank you to your crew. I wish I lived closer. It’s ten hours one way. I’d come work with your crew to restore more.
Wow! Beautiful. Just beautiful! Thank you for restoring these beautiful pieces of circus history.
So glad to see the horses getting the help they need. I was so sad when my partner and I went to Circus World and saw the dire condition of the carousel. Yipee!
Fantastic work Bill!
I can’t wait to ride those horses!!
Very happy to see this. When I visited it in summer of '23, many of the horses were in really rough shape.
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𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀: Spreading a little love this Valentine’s Day with heart-filled sketches from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus designer Don Foote during the 1970s and early 1980s. Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day from everyone here at Circus World!
📸: Image ID CWi 12123
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📸: Image ID CWi 12925 ... See MoreSee Less
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OMG Beautiful sketches! I would frame each of them. Nice artwork. Love the Don Foote designs. So lucky to have so many in the collections. Love the Valentine theme.
Do you still have animals as part of your entertainment?
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: This aerialist costume may not be large, but its thousands of light green bugle beads and large blue rhinestones would have made a big impression while shimmering under the lights of the Big Top. It was worn by Baraboo native Mark David Pilger, who started his career at the Circus World acrobatic school in the 1970s. He later performed a trapeze act at the Tommy Bartlett Show while hanging from a helicopter and the cloud swing and single trapeze act for multiple seasons with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Mark David traveled the world with his sensational act but still found time to return home to perform under the Circus World Big Top in 1988 and 1991.
📸: Mark David Pilger donated assorted wardrobe pieces from his time as both a student and professional, including this red jumpsuit worn during his early days at Circus World | Image ID CWi 4976
📸: Object ID 1996.1.2
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Mark performed with us on RBBB Blue & also on the Red. Class act & great guy, gone too soon. 🙏🏻🎪🙏🏻
Great post! Local boy made good! 🙂
Mark was a classmate. Great talent. Nice guy.