I took the family to one of the most memorable museums from my childhood. The Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin chronicles the history of circuses in America. They have a large collection of old circus memorabilia and history, as well as live shows with performers from around the world.
The restored circus wagons are one of the more interesting displays at the museum. These brightly colored wagons would parade through the streets of the towns where the circus stopped to give the town a preview of what they would see at the circus. Many of these wagons had a geographic theme, as the circus served as a means of discovery and education beyond what you’d see every day.
The circus was an amazing window into the wider world prior to television. The yearly visits of the circus brought interesting animals and people from around the globe to tiny insulated hamlets, expanding the minds of young and old.
It’s nice to see this history so well preserved, in a setting that both offers a window on the past as well as entertainment from current performers. I strongly recommend a visit to this museum, both for the entertainment value and a fascinating view to the past.
