Tuesday, August 31, 2010

CWM Gift Shop

There was a time when the Gift Shop at the Circus World Museum was also down on the main show grounds. Here we find the former railroad baggage car completely re-painted and turned into the All-American Circus Souvenior Store and Gift shop. This was in 1964 or 1967. I can't make out the writing on the slide.

CWM Gift Shop

Looking up there about the 11 o'clock hour we find the yellow gift shop in all it's glory in the early 1970's.

CWM Gift Shop

The car was removed from the main property years ago. Here it sits beside the train sheds in Dec. of 2006 when I took this picture.

Monday, August 30, 2010

From a few years ago!

This was the Wilber Deppe animals that the Herriott family presented so well over the years.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Circus World Museum

Those were the days when the America was fired up and gave a couple concerts each and every day. Today is the final day for the live performances at Circus World Museum. Pack up the kids and get over there while you still can. Starting tomorrow, the Museum will remain open with reduced hours from 10 AM until 4 PM. There just isn't any live shows anymore.

I might add on a personal note, that today is also Rob Richards last day at the CWM. Rob has been handling the Librarian duties quite admirably and has become quite well versed on the Museum's Library holdings. He has been a great help to me and I hope I was able to help him as well. By best wishes to Rob and his family.

On a more professional note, The CWM Board has secured a rather large gift from a local donor that will allow the hiring of a fulltime archivist again. This continues the committment to keep the Library open, functional and available to one and all. Applicants can view the qualifications on the CWM website at http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/pdfs/LibrarianArchivist2010.pdf

Circus World Museum


Here's a few photos from the 1960's.
A working Blacksmith shop.

Circus World Museum


Circus World Museum

What a sight to behold!

Circus World Museum


Putting it all away.

Circus World Museum

Almost over with.

Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus


The Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus played Oshkosh, Wisconsin on August 21, 1963 to real good crowds. One of the featured attractions that year, as in years previous, was the walk around of the blood sweating hippopotamus from the River Nile. Walked around by the menagerie Superintendent John Narfski, this made quite an unusual display. I believe they called her Miss Oklahoma!

Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus

Wait till they see this!

Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus


Another AWE mazing display!

Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus


Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus

Back to the Pool!

Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. Circus


Friday, August 27, 2010

Advertising

The advertising car, which is attached to a regular train is arriving two weeks ahead of the Circus.

Advertising


I like the painting on this car. Does anyone recognize the style to place a year on this?

Advertising


Stirring the pot. Looks like an oar off of someone's boat!

Advertising

Inside the advertising car - are they cooking paste?

Advertising


Looks like pots of Paste.

Advertising

Add Image

Inside the advertising car.



Advertising

The finished product.

RBBB - 1950's

Arriving in the weehours of the morning, the modernized RBBB circus of the 1950's was now carrying a multitude of cages for its menagerie that were all the same size. Made out of former military ammunitions wagons, the made quite a display.

RBBB - 1950's


Once they were opened up, the a whole new world of animals was now in your town.

RBBB - 1950's


The Jungle scene made a real nice display.

RBBB - 1950's

I'm not the Ringling expert that other folks are but I believe I'm right in saying the jungle tree motif on the cages was used in 1950 and 1951. Can anyone confirm or correct this?

RBBB 1952


The two baby gorillas are out and about the first thing in the morning. This is a Bill Elbrin photo from 1952.

RBBB 1952


This is a Bill Elbrin photo taken in 1952.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Here are a few more photos from the great Baraboo Model Builders show that Chris Greider was kind enough to send along.

Baraboo Model Builders Show


"Cheerful" Gardner was a Janesville, Wisconsin resident.

Baraboo Model Builders Show


This is an absolutely beautiful display. Anyone know who did the carvings? Great work!

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Ned, have you seen this guy before?

Baraboo Model Builders Show

What a nice train display!

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Here are a few more photos from Model Builder Chris Greider. Perhaps, Chris, Steve, Ralph, or someone else can help identify whose displays these are and maybe what scale for all the fine folks out there in bloggerland!

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Baraboo Model Builders Show


Baraboo Model Builders Show


Baraboo Model Builders Show


Baraboo Model Builders Show


Monday, August 23, 2010

WAKE UP CALL!

SeaWorld fined $75,000 following trainer's death

ORLANDO, FL (WIS) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, including one classified as willful, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty is $75,000."SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta, Ga. "Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behavior by the animals."

Baraboo Model Builders Show


This just in from the highly successful Model Builders Show in Baraboo, WI. this past weekend.


My special Thanks to Chris Greider for the great photos and ALL the Model Builders who helped make it possible!

Baraboo Model Builders Show


Here is one of those "Behind the Scenes" shots a long time before the massive crowds started to enter the exhibit. ( You should really double click and enlarge this to grasp all the fine detail held within! )

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Circus Trains


For several years, a calendar was put out by Graphics 2000 called the American Circus Calendar. These great train photos came out of several different years. The photos are all given credit to the Collection of Art Cooksey.

Circus Trains


Howe's Great London Shows - unknown year

Circus Trains


Campbell Bros. Great Consolidated Shows - 1908

Circus Trains


Barnum & Bailey - 1912

Circus Trains

Sells-Floto - 1918

Circus Trains

Sells-Floto - 1922