MAP AND ROOM GUIDE
TERRACE
SARASOTA BAY
First Floor of Ca’ d’Zan
1
8 12
BREAKFAST ROOM
TERRACE
12 TERRACE
3
ENTRANCE FOYER: This was the formal entry of the house. John and Mable welcomed movie stars, politicians, circus impresarios, friends, and family, who kept the house buzzing with activity. John and Mable purchased much of the furniture at auction houses in New York.
BREAKFAST ROOM
VALET ROOM
5
6
DINING ROOM: The ceiling looks like handcarved wood but is actually molded plaster with decorative painting executed by the artist, Robert Webb, Jr. The table includes 20 leaves that allow its expansion up to 38.5 feet long in order to accommodate more guests for formal dining. TAP ROOM: Even though Prohibition was in full swing, the Ringlings’ guests enjoyed a drink here before moving into the dining room for dinner. BALLROOM: This room was made for dancing; if you have any doubt, look up! The focal point of the ballroom is its coffered ceiling inset with paintings fancifully depicting dancing couples from cultures around the world by the artist, Willy Pogány (1882–1955). Imagine slinking across the floor while doing the tango, mirroring the couple in the southwest corner.
BALLROOM
5
4
COURT
ELEV.
10 KITCHEN
7 PANTRY
11 EXIT
EXIT
10
TAP ROOM
KITCHEN
9 11
BALLROOM
2
ENTRANCE FOYER
RECEPTION ROOM
3
2
4
ELEV.
HALLWAY
5
6
COURT
3
STAFF QUARTERS
4
6
9 PANTRY
7
ORGAN
RECEPTION ROOM: This room served as both a formal business space and an extension of the ballroom when the Ringlings entertained.
VALET ROOM
ORGAN
2
SOLARIUM: Originally an open porch, the solarium was a convenient retreat from the swimming pool.
DINING ROOM
ENTRANCE FOYER
8
FRONT
DINING ROOM
RECEPTION ROOM ENTRANCE
1 SOLARIUM
1
SOLARIUM ENTRANCE ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE & EXIT
TAP ROOM
STAFF QUARTERS
7
HE COURT: The court was the heart of the home. T The 1892 Steinway piano and the Aeolian organ provided musical entertainment for countless social events. The pecky cypress ceiling was painted by the artist, Robert Webb, Jr. (1897–1986).
8
B REAKFAST ROOM: This room was used for informal dining. Envision yourself eating breakfast while looking out of the colorful glass windows and watching the sunshine reflect off the water.
9
ALET’S ROOM AND PANTRY: The Ringlings V employed a staff of seven, including a butler, chauffeur, cooks, and housekeepers. The spaces in the service wing were dedicated to the preparation of meals. In addition to storage for the Ringling’s china and silver, the pantry served as a space for plating food before serving dishes in the dining room.
10
FRONT
KITCHEN: The cook would have prepared meals on both the electric and gas stoves, while perishable food was stored in the many electric refrigerators here and in the pantry.
11
STAFF QUARTERS: The modern exit of Ca’ d’Zan is located in what used to be the staff’s dining room. The staff’s sleeping quarters were located up the spiral staircase on the second floor.
12
ERRACE: Upon exiting Ca’ d’Zan, do not T forget to stop and enjoy the beautiful terrace overlooking the bay. John Ringling originally moored his 125 ft. yacht, the Zalophus, off of this terrace.