Madison, WI—The Wisconsin Historical Society will acquire the Al. Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wis., after working with the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc., to secure $3.07 million from community donors to ensure the long-term future of the beloved regional theatre. The 700-seat theatre was built in 1915 by Al Ringling, co-founder with his brothers of the world-renowned Ringling Brothers Circus, and designed in the opulent style of grand French opera houses. Ringling built the theatrefor the Baraboo community in a show of appreciation for the town that the Ringling Brothers called home and the original site of the Ringling Bros. Circus winter quarters. Through the years, the theatre has hosted national touring companies, vaudeville, motion pictures and more, bringing performing arts and culture to Baraboo and the greater South-Central Wisconsin region.  

“The Al. Ringling Theatre is one of the first examples of opulent design applied to the moving picture theatre in this country and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1976,” said Christian Overland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “It is an architectural masterpiece that puts Wisconsin within the broader context of the history of the United States.Acquiringthe Al. to operate with the rest of the Society’s historic sitesis a natural tie to our missionof connecting people to history by sharing stories and serving communities throughout our great state. We are grateful for the incredible support from the people of Baraboo—a place that is rich with history and a community where the Society has strong roots already with Circus World.”  

Discussions for a change in ownership began in July 2022. The Society completed a feasibility study in February 2023 and outlined a potential model in which the theatre would become an extension of Circus World operations, which is one of 12 historic sites in the Society’s portfolio. The plan required$3.07 million in private support forfacility improvements, transition costs and an operating endowment. That fundraising goal was met earlier this month and the endowment funds will be held by the Community Foundation of South Central Wisconsin.  

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of theBaraboo community members who stepped up to ensure the legacy of Al Ringling’s gift to this town can live for generations to come,” said Charlene Flygt, president of Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc. 

The Society’s Board of Curators voted to approve the theater acquisition on March 15, 2024.Programming is expected to ramp up slowly to ensure a sustainable transition and a technical director will be hired to oversee onsite operations. 

“The Society is committed to preserving and celebrating the origins of America’s circus history, and to ensuring that the Al. remains a vibrant home to the local and regional performing arts, and community organizations that call the Al. home,” said Circus World Director Scott O’Donnell.  

As the Society works toward realizing the 10-year future vision for continued growth at Circus World, the acquisition of the Al. Ringling Theatre underscores its commitment to the Baraboo community and surrounding region. Circus performances will continue to take place under the big top on Circus World grounds, while the theater will host regional performing arts programming as well as private events and community programs including Concerts on the Square, Baraboo Theatre Guild and high school productions, dance recitals, Downtown Baraboo Inc. holiday events and more.  

“This is the outcome that we wanted to see to secure the long-term future of the Al.—it’s a win for Baraboo, a win for the regional arts community and a win for historic preservation in Wisconsin,” said Paul Wolter, Vice President of the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends, Inc. “The theatre will now benefit from the Society’s resources, operating infrastructure and expertise.”  

For more information on the Wisconsin Historical Society, visit wisconsinhistory.org.  

About Wisconsin Historical Society 
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org. 

About the Al Ringling Theatre 

Built in 1915, The Al. Ringling Theatre paved the way for the architectural fantasies that became the hallmark of movie palaces built in the 1920s and 30s. The Theatre Historical Society of America has stated, “The Al. Ringling is not just any old theatre… magnificently grandiose… it is one of the first examples of palatial theatre design.” From the groundbreaking success of the Al., architects Rapp and Rapp went on to design the Chicago Theatre in 1921, the first lavish movie palace in America. Rapp and Rapp also designed the Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wis., in 1926 along with some 400 additional theatres. They became the primary architects for the Paramount Theater chain nationwide. The theatre has been owned and operated by the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends Inc, which was formed in 1989 to safeguard the future of the theatre for the Baraboo community. Over the past 35 years, the group has raised more than $5 million in support of extensive interior and exterior restoration of the structure. The theatre’s most recent interior restoration was completed in February 2016 with the support of the Jeffris Family Foundation. 

About Circus World 

Circus World is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located at the site of the Ringling Bros. Circus Historic Winter Quarters in Baraboo, it was comprised of less than an acre of land and a collection of six circus wagons at its founding and has grown into an internationally respected institution encompassing 64 acres, 30 permanent structures and over 260 historic circus wagons. Visitors can enjoy live performances during the summer season and explore seven massive buildings highlighting the innovations, excitement and wonder of the American circus. Visit circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org for more information and a list of upcoming events.