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.

The renovation will provide 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, including 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. And 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.

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.

The Historic Circus Museum