CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM

The big attraction around here is the Circus World Museum. You will discover the magic of the circus through the largest exhibition of circus carts, all progressively recovered throughout the United States over a period of fifty years. There are more than two hundred of them, restored by the museum's repair shop and exhibited outside in the summer. Some of them are over 150 years old and have travelled thousands of miles from the time when circuses toured the United States, stopping every night in one city to set up the tents, present the show and leave that same evening for a new destination. The museum is located on the original site of the winter quarters of the five Ringling brothers, the creators of the circus. The history of the circus is linked to the history of territorial development in the United States. As the land in the West was gradually being populated in the early 19th century, the Ringling brothers realized that they could only reach these populations by moving from town to town. Hence the idea of a winter quarter in Wisconsin to be able to repair and build circus equipment at the beginning of each season. From 1897 to 1918, the troop travelled with its eighty-four carts, camels, elephants and hippos across the country. It became the largest circus troupe that ever existed, putting up its gigantic circus tents every night. You can not only visit the circus carts, but also attend performances.