Circus Exhibits
The Siemor Bros. Miniature Circus was meticulously hand-crafted over a 40-year period by Mel and Lottie Romeis. Thanks to the Kohler Foundation’s generosity, this gargantuan miniature circus delights children of all ages in the Chappie Fox Wagon Restoration Center.
PHOTO GALLERY
Explore the dynamic history of how the Ringling Bros. built a circus empire in Baraboo WI.
The Gollmar brothers were first cousins of the Ringling brothers and operated a circus out of Baraboo from 1891 – 1916. The first new parade wagon for the Ringling circus was a bell wagon, and not to be outdone, the Gollmar circus paraded their own bell wagon.
Step right up… the tallest, the smallest, the thinnest, the fattest; strange and unusual wonders gathered from the four corners of the world; revealed inside the P.T. Barnum Side Show.
The Pfening Gallery hosts rotating exhibits highlighting unique and rare artifacts from our collection
Enjoy a sampling from our vast original Circus Poster collection.
The beautiful Cinderella carriage stands before a portion of the 1916 Ringling Bros. Cinderella Spectacle backdrop. They illustrate the beauty of these early Spectacle productions as they were presented under the big top.
While the Gollmar Bros. Circus was not as large as the Ringling operation, it was well known throughout the Midwest. The Gollmar show became a railroad circus in 1903 and at its peak, traveled on 22 railroad cars.
As the golden era of the American circus faded, the beautiful parade wagons often fell into disrepair and were destroyed. These wagon carvings, along with vintage photography, are all that remain of many hand-carved circus wagons. They proudly represent the art of the American wagon builders.
On the big screen in the Irvin Feld Visitor's Center Theater, see circus films for your edutainment.
Brand New for 2014, a new exhibit exploring another element of Baraboo's rich circus heritage; Henry Moeller and Sons Wagon Works.
