How the Circus World Museum Preserves History in Baraboo

by Yizuo Pan, age 10

Circus World Museum, is a family attraction, opened on July 1, 1959 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The Circus World Museum was incorporated by John Kelley, a former personal lawyer to the Ringling brothers. Kelly saw that circuses were becoming less popular as new forms of entertainment, like TV, were becoming more popular. Kelly wanted to preserve the history of circuses, and the Ringling Brothers Circus in particular.

Over the decades, Circus World Museum gained popularity. Charles Fox became the director of the museum in 1960. Fox helped establish and continue the protection of beautiful 19th and 20th century wagons that can be found at the museum. The had barely been used and forgotten in places around the world.

The later Circus World directors acquired bedazzling collections, and performances of the summer circus included events like lovely tales in the circus. The museum is still shining a spotlight on the circus thanks to Ben Barkin and the Schlitz Brewing Company.

This circus is alive at Water Street, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Today, live performances attract families to the circus, but its popularity has lowered over the decades. Even though it is not as popular as before, Circus World is known as “Wisconsin’s National Treasure.”

[Sources: Wisconsin Historical Society; Downtown Baraboo]