“The circus is coming, the circus is coming”, shouted the children in joyous glee in our town as the circus parade was seen starting their march down the main street. The older folk were lined at the sides of route with anticipation as they waited for the parade to pass them. The children hopped and skipped to the shrill but happy notes of the steam calliope wagon pulled by two white horses as it paraded by. Then came the elephants four in all lumbering past. Wagons, three the most, with caged wild beasts that roared and snarled followed that put a bit of fear to all that watched. Decorated wagons with circus performers waving to the crowd were next in line - acrobats, the strongest man in the world, the gypsy fortune teller, the bearded lady, and many more. At end of the parade were the clowns as they acted and pranced in joyful merriment to the delight of the watching spectators.
The circus is coming, the circus is coming to the Circus World Museum that offers an exciting selection of programming that relives the past memories of your circus visits, fascinating demonstrations that recalls the three ring performances, and lively exhibits of circus wagon and other artifacts that pertain to the history of the American Circus. The museum is open year-round, so any day you choose to visit would be a great day to make a lasting memory at the Circus World!
This way folks, don't push sonny! This summer season you will see daredevil animal training demonstrations, belly laughing clown acts, lively circus music shows, for the kiddies there will be animal and carousel rides, stage shows reliving the acts of the past years, and much, much more. During the fall and winter season the circus museum will be open for self-guided tours of the collection of the museums artifacts. Before you take a trip there check with visitor's center for the seasonal programs.
Come one, call all to the Irvin Feld Exhibit Hall and see artifacts and a video telling the story of the Ringling Bros. Three Ring Circus. Come one, come all nearby Ring Barn and see a clown exhibit, a miniature circus, and a host of other small exhibits that includes the state-of-the-art exhibits of rare circus posters and lavish costumes. Come one; come all to W.W. Deppe Wagon Pavilion, which displays fifty beautiful ornate circus wagons and a circus train exhibit.
Come one come all to the C.P. Fox Wagon Restoration Center where you will understand the splendor of calliope circus wagon that leads the parades and whose notes serves as an attraction to the circus tent at the fair grounds. The loud shrill, yet merry music was once a familiar sound at fairs and circuses in America; here and there faint sounds could be heard today in the land, mainly in merry-go-rounds. The calliope (also called a steam organ) is a series of pipes, or whistles, connected to a steam boiler (electronic today). When the keys on the keyboard are pressed, valves open and release steam into the pipes and whistles, blowing various notes. The exact tone of the musical notes depended on the steam pressure, and at times the music sounded out of tune. The smaller calliopes played with air pressure sounded a bit better.
When your stomach starts rumbling, as the death defying feats would cause you to have a bit of hunger during the summer season, you could go to the "pie wagon" for a snack. Well, understandably you may ask what a "pie wagon" - the answer is; it is the dining car on a circus train or the snack wagon placed in the "backyard" that served meals to the circus folk. The menu has servings that the whole family can enjoy,
along with special treats.
The circus will be is coming for you and your family to see and enjoy for your upcoming visit to the:
Circus World Museum
550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
ringmaster@circusworldmuseum.com
Note
- The Wisconsin Historical Society is the owner and operator of the Circus World Museum and trustee of its collections. The museum preserves and has documented material and artifacts relating to the history of circuses of the USA. The society also maintains a library and research center.
- The first calliope was created in 1855, which caused a sensation when people heard it. It was soon being played on showboats that coursed the rivers and in circus parades all over the USA. It's loud shrill music could be heard for a great distance to tell the good folks here and there that a show was at hand.
