Highlights Archives
Circus World Gets Share of State Grant
Circus World Museum will receive a $200,000 share of a $2.5 million state grant to redevelop Baraboo's riverfront, a grant announced by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton at a news conference at Circus World on Thursday, March 9. The funds will help support museum operations over the next two years, said Renee Boldt, president of the Circus World Museum Foundation's Board of Directors. "It's wonderful to be part of this redevelopment plan," said Boldt. "Obviously Circus World Museum is a very visible destination point in Baraboo."
News of Circus World's inclusion in the grant comes on the heels of several recent gifts that have benefited the cash-strapped museum, which drastically reduced hours and staff late in 2005 in order to sustain operations. Fund-raising efforts in the first months of 2006 have garnered nearly $200,000 in donations and pledges by circus fans and patrons from throughout the nation. Between August and the end of calendar year 2005, donors contributed almost $300,000 to Circus World's fund-raising campaign.
The Wisconsin State Building Commission also provided nearly $100,000 to fund rehabilitation of the museum's Hippodrome facility, which will serve as the performance venue for a troupe of Chinese circus acrobats and magic shows beginning May 20. Other highlights of Circus World's 2006 performance season will include daily "Elephant Encounters." Elephant, camel and pony rides will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to have an up-close and personal encounter with circus animals — part of a tradition that dates back to when the Ringling Bros. acquired and housed their first animals in the original winter quarters, now known as Ringlingville, a National Historic Landmark.
Other elements of Circus World's performance season will also include an interactive children's circus and concerts performed on antique circus instruments. Guides will also offer tours of the museum's historic circus wagon collection and the buildings of historic Ringlingville.
Circus World Museum is one of nine historic sites owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The Society owns and operates eight of the sites, while Circus World is operated independently by the Circus World Museum Foundation under a lease-management agreement with the Society.
:: Posted March 13, 2006
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