Established in 1948, the Ringling Circus Museum was the first in the country to record the rich history of the circus. Colossal parade and baggage wagons, sequined costumes and a sideshow banner line are among the memorabilia and artifacts on display. Also on exhibit is the Wisconsin, the private rail car of John and Mable Ringling.
circus model builder—and the architect of the miniature circus. The Center celebrates the legendary performers of the center ring, including acrobats, aerialists and daredevils, many of whom made Sarasota and her neighboring cities home. Featuring 11,000 square feet of interactive exhibition space, children of all ages will experience the atmosphere, drama and magic of a day at the circus. Visitors can feel what it is like to walk a high wire and fit into the model of a 2-foot by 3-foot car made famous by clown, Lou Jacobs. They can even superimpose their faces onto replicas of circus posters.
Top left to right: Circus Museum, Circus Parade Bandwagon; Bruno Zacchini’s super-repeating cannon; Bottom left to right: Tibbals Learning Center, detail from The Howard Bros. Circus Model; Master model builder, Howard Tibbals