The Ringling Announces Reinstallation at Historic Circus Museum

The Historic Circus Museum at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art will be receiving a facelift this summer. Plans to update the galleries, reinstall exhibits and give the museum a new coat of paint will begin June 1 when the building closes with a reopening planned for fall, 2019.

Jennifer Lemmer Posey, The Ringling’s Tibbals Curator of Circus is excited about the opportunity to showcase items from the Circus Collection that have not been displayed in many years and to update the presentation of historic wagons and other historic artifacts from the history of the circus. Among the most popular exhibits is the 1905 Wisconsin Pullman Car. The lavish Wisconsin served as the personal train car for John and Mable Ringling as they traveled across North America. According to Posey the Wisconsin display will be updated and expanded to include new information about the history of this amazing railcar and its extraordinary restoration. A new installation of many of the museum’s wagons will include additional information about Sarasota’s role as the historic Winter Quarters for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. “Our goal is to showcase the rich history of the circus, especially here in Sarasota, while also celebrating the vibrant influence that the circus arts continue to exert on this area” Posey said. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back this fall to enjoy a new and exciting exhibit of the visual spectacle of the circus past and present.”

In the meantime, visitors can still enjoy the Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center at The Ringling, home to the Howard Bros. Circus Model, the world’s largest miniature circus, and The Greatest Show on Earth Mural painted by William Woodward as well the family-friendly interactive exhibits exploring the history of the circus arts. For those looking to enjoy a thrilling, live performance, The Circus Arts Conservatory and The Ringling present Summer Circus Spectacular, June 11-Aug.3,2019, in the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets are available at ringling.org or by calling 941-360-7399.