Ringling Circus Museum

We're staying in this area because we really wanted to go back into Sarasota after the MDS meeting and see the famous Ringling Circus Museum, which we did today. We did not realize that the Ringling Mansion and the Ringling Museum of Art were also in the complex. The ticket charge of $20 for seniors includes all three as well as access to the grounds and tram rides to the different buildings.

This huge, detailed model of the "Big Top" is incredible!  Built entirely by one man, Howard Tibbets, over a fifty year time span --

The Howard Bros. Circus (Ringling wouldn't allow him to use the Ringling name...) is a 3/4-inch-to-the-foot scale replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus when the tented circus was at its largest (circa 1919-1938).

Every portion of circus life is shown, from the performers getting a haircut to the laundry on the lines.

This is the midway area with all of the carny stuff and the freak shows --

The acts in the rings of the Big Tent --

This is not a model -- it is one of the full-size circus wagons on display --

This is a model of a Liberty Horse act practicing in the back lot --

There are also models of the 57 cars that transported the circus from one town to the next --

After viewing the circus museum, we took the tram to the edge of the estate where the Ringling Mansion was built on the shores of Sarasota Bay --

This is probably the most incredible house that we have toured. This is one of the scenes on the ceiling of the ballroom. The ceiling had scenes of dancers in native costume from all over the world --

This is the chandelier in the living room -- take note of these walls and ceiling!

This was the breakfast room for "casual" dining --

Built in the Venetian Gothic style of architecture, the house was built in 1925 at a cost of $1.5 million.

 

Even the terrace and the dock by the Bay is decorated with tile and made of marble --

In 2002, comprehensive restoration and conservation were done to the tune of $15 million. There is exquisite attention to detail in every portion of the house.

There is approximately 36,000 square feet with 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms --

In another portion of the grounds is the Mable and John Ringling Museum of Art. Its galleries surround a sculpture garden watched over by Michelangelo's David --

Even though we were able to ride the tram between buildings, it was a lot of walking with lots to see. I could have spent a whole 'nother day there!