Circus Museum
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
By Lena Hunt
Port of Tampa, Tampa's largest port, hogs up 5,000 acres and be glad that it does because there's plenty to do and see here. It's also the state's largest cargo tonnage port and one of the nation's most diversified ports. There is so much to this port that there's an entire magazine dedicated to it. The Port of Tampa Magazine is chock full of information and glossy color photos. Of course, Cruise Bruise will give you the latest news about the Port of Tampa and its surrounding area.
Port of Tampa is situated perfectly as it's located not too far from just about everything Florida has to offer. A short car drive or a quick plane ride will take you to the many diverse activities in south Florida. Yhe upbeat yet mellow urban life on the beach, Miami is a car drive away. The Everglades where wildlife and nature offers an escape from civilization is yet a short car ride away. Even the Florida Keys, a string of islands linked by one loooooong bridge, in the Caribbean can be reached by a short cruise or by car trip.
Circus Museum
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
By Lena Hunt
Southern Florida Cruise Port Specialist
Tampa - Miami - Port Canaveral - Ft. Lauderdale
August 29, 2010
While in the area for your upcoming cruise, you might want to take notice of Sarasota and her islands. In this area, which is known as Florida's cultural center, you'll find what everyone loves … the circus! The Circus Museum is located on the sliver of barrier island known as Sarasota. Sarasota is made of other slices of isles where, when driving, you can see water on either side and there really isn't much salty land but plenty of powder fine, white sand and glistening waters. The barrier islands are that thin. Now those are my kind of islands, the ones where you can skip stones to your left and to your right.
Sarasota and her islands can brag that they are home to the Ringling Museum and estate which is where the Circus Museum sits on the impeccable grounds. In memory and honor of the American circus, you'll get to learn all about the history of what once fascinated us so much and still continues to thrill children of all ages at the Circus Museum. “The circus is coming to town! The circus is coming to town!” Those were the happy words of excited children of all ages when the big three-ringed show was heading their way. We still get excited when the circus comes to town even if it isn't as big as it used to be, as the museum will show how enormous the circus was and what a huge part of life it had been in the days when we didn't have other sources of entertainment such as movie theaters and the Internet. The Circus Museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL and is a part of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which is part of Florida State University.
In 1948 the museum was the first ever of its kind to share the entire history of the circus. As many of the people who worked for the gigantic circus lived in the area, the museum's collection just kept growing. As you visit this facility, follow the amazing history by viewing their huge collection of literature which includes 1816 newspaper clippings, extremely rare art prints, handbills, business records, equipment used to run the circus, circus papers, wardrobe, and props used in the circus. It's fascinating to learn that there was so much to the circus and how it was created, how many people were employed,and what all went on. You'll also find in the magnificent museum parade wagons that were intricately hand carved, tent poles, utility wagons, and those enormous bail rings. Famous performers' posters dated in the 19th and 20th centuries are on display as well. Created by the Ringling brothers, sons of August and Marie Salome Ringling, the first circus admission fee was one cent. In less than a single decade the World's Greatest Show, the Ringling Brothers circus emerged from a little wagon show to an enormous performance that covered the U.S.A. And Canada and required railcars and the railroad.
The circus wasn't the only thing that came to Sarasota. Hollywood caught circus fever and came to Sarasota, home of the circus, to film The Greatest Show on Earth, the Academy Award winning film by Cecil B. DeMille. It was John Ringling who forever changed the circus and placed Sarasota as THE place known for the world famous circus. One man devoted fifty years of his life to creating the world's largest miniature circus. He worked faithfully and happily to create the miniature replica of the Ringling Brothers and the Barnum & Bailey circus. The miniature circus is actually really huge and should be a museum in itself as it takes up two stories in the Circus Museum. In my opinion, this is the best part of the entire museum! Details are so intricate that you can see the seeds on the tiny watermelons and expressions on the little replica of people's faces.
When in the Tampa area for your cruise, be sure to grab the gang and go visit the circus. The Circus Museum, that is. Everyone will have a great time, learn a little more about culture, and American history. Learning the history of the Greatest Show on Earth is pretty fascinating so take the time to see why we all love the circus so much. The circus is coming! The circus is coming!
