Ringling Circus Museum (new)

When we left Sunrise, Florida, on 5 August, we headed west on I-75 (Alligator Alley) and visited Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Petersburg, and Kissimmee before heading north for Georgia.  The second tourist site we visited in Sarasota was the Ringling complex.  We went to the Ringling Circus Museum (original and new) and Ca'd'Zan mansion.  We were able to go on the 1 pm tour of the original Circus Museum with tour guide John Fisher.  We rode the tram to the mansion and back.  We went on the 3:15 pm tour of the mansion with tour guide John Fisher!  The Circus Museums were excellent as was the very impressive Venetian Gothic mansion. (www.ringling.org).  In my blog of 3 August I said, "All the many pictures from the museums and mansion will be in a separate blog entry."  Here are Ben's pictures of the New Circus Museum!

Entrance to New Circus Museum

"The Greatest Show on Earth"

Oil on canvas, 22 ft by 42 ft, 1935

Mural is just inside the entrance to the New Circus Museum

May All Your Days Be Circus Days

Eileen in the entryway

Eileen among the displays

Chariot

Chariot

There were numerous tiny models of the circus performers on parade.

The Circus in Miniature - The Howard Bros. Circus Model

Miniature circus layout as seen from above.

And now as seen at eye level!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages
Welcome to the One, the Only Howard Bros. Circus

Cookhouse Supplies

Cookhouse

Dining Tent

Performers' Dressing Tent

Sea Elephant

Circus Day

Midway

Concessions

Sideshow Bannerline

Sideshow

Ticket Wagon

Main Entrance

Menagerie

Animal Food Prep Tent

Big Top

Big Top Acts

Big Top Seating

Blacksmith Tent

Train Station

Loading Equipment

Flying Squadron

 And now Eileen's pictures of the New Circus Museum!

Ben and Eileen with Times-Courier in front of

painting "The Greatest Show on Earth"