Step Right Up! Experience Sarasota’s Circus Legacy at The Ringling

The Ringling is not only home to the decadent and historic art collection of Ringling Circus founder John Ringling and his wife, Mable, but also a touchstone for delving deep into the captivating world of the circus. 

John and Mable built their 66-acre estate—a vacation home, no less—in the 1920s. After many years, the Venetian mansion, its Art-Deco furniture and esteemed art collection were left behind and transformed into the State Art Museum of Florida. The Ringling grounds are now home to 21 art galleries and multiple exhibitions scattered throughout the property of rotating classical and contemporary collections. 

Circus Museum: A Journey Into the Big Top

In 1948, The Ringling unveiled the first-ever Museum of the American Circus, thanks to the vision of its inaugural director, A. Everett "Chick" Austin. Still a mainstay fixture today, the Circus Museum evokes the rich heritage of Sarasota's circus history and big top performers. Within the Historic Circus Galleries building, wisitors will find everything from historic wagons, a turn-of-the-century railcar and glittering costumes to family portraits and meticulously crafted props that once dazzled audiences nationwide. 

In 2006 the Circus Museum's Tibbals Learning Center opened, adding several new elements to The Ringling's collection, including a 3,800 square foot Howard Bros. Circus Model. The 42,000-piece rendition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "tented city" is a testament to the grandeur and complexity of circus operations, capturing the imagination of visitors young and old. 

Visitors can also immerse themselves in the spirit of the circus with festive music, vintage posters and a massive welcome mural of past clown performers. Kids, and kids at heart, will enjoy the hands-on activities and interactive installations—including tests to walk the tightrope, balance on horseback or squeeze into a clown car. 

Located on the second floor of Tibbals Center, discover the museum's newest addition: The Greatest Show On Earth® Gallery. The permanent exhibit celebrates the modern era of the circus and shares the story of how the Feld family's stewardship of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® in 1967 grew to become one of the most well-recognized brands in the world. 

Ca'D'Zan: The Ringlings' Opulent Abode

Ringling's circus heritage rose when John Ringling made Sarasota the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1927. Overlooking Sarasota Bay, Ca'D' Zan still stands today as a testament to the iconic couple's grandeur. 

This 56-room Venetian Gothic mansion showcases glamorous Mediterranean Revival-style architecture and design. Visitors can tour its lavish interiors that still reflect the couple's sophisticated taste and the opulence of the Roaring Twenties. You can also catch special events and bayfront yoga on the 13,000-square-foot chevron marble terrace fringing clear-blue waters.

The Ringling's commitment to preserving and celebrating circus history ensures that Sarasota's vibrant heritage continues to inspire and enchant. Whether you're a performing arts lover, history buff or simply curious, a visit to Sarasota offers a captivating journey into the heart of "The Greatest Show on Earth."

Watch the video below for more information about The Ringling's circus heritage: