Search the Wisconsin Historical Society's collections

Searching for

Refine by

Results 1-20 of 173

Photograph

State Fair Side Show Attractions

Date: 
Description: State Fair barker announcing side show attractions to a crowd of children, featuring "Midget City, the World's Tiniest Entertainers" and "Baby Thelma, 619 ...
Photograph

Circus Performers and Animals

Date: 
Description: Fred and Ella Bradna, equestrian director and performer for Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey. There are several other performers and a dog, relaxing in t...
Photograph

Circus Performers Gather to View Eclipse

Date: 
Description: Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey circus performers gathered in front of a circus tent to view a solar eclipse. Some are wearing protective eyeglasses.
Photograph

Circus People with Fish

Date: 
Description: A crew of people from the circus, possibly Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey, holding up their catch after a fishing trip.
Print

McCormick Catalog Art

Date: 1891
Description: Back cover illustration of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company catalog. Shows children and adults, some of them circus performers, inside a large tent...
Poster

The Ringling Brothers Poster

Date: 1905
Description: A Ringling Brothers poster of "Kings of the Circus World", depicting Alf. T., Al., Chas., John and Otto Ringling.
Photograph

Circus Workers Giving Elephants a Drink

Date: 08 05 1927
Description: Two circus workers standing next to a water wagon pulled by a McCormick-Deering tractor. The men are providing water for three elephants outside the tents ...
Photograph

Elephants Drinking from Wagon Pulled by McCormick-Deering Tractor

Date: 08 05 1927
Description: Elephants drinking water from a wagon pulled by a McCormick-Deering industrial tractor outside a circus tent belonging to the Sells-Floto Circus. Circus wo...
Photograph

Workers Pull Circus Wagon with Tractor

Date: 08 05 1927
Description: Workers pulling a Sells Floto Circus wagon with a McCormick-Deering industrial tractor along the street of a town. In the background, children and adults a...
Photograph

Shriner Circus Sideshow

Date: 
Description: Dell Hammel offering tickets for a Shriner Circus sideshow of Dancing Girls. There are good indications that this photograph has been manipulated and is a ...
Photograph

"Bumpsy" Anthony, Circus Clown

Date: 
Description: Circus clown, "Bumpsy" Anthony, stands in front of a tent.
Photograph

Clown in Polka-Dotted Suit

Date: 
Description: A clown wearing a small hat with a feather, a polka-dotted suit, and large gloves, stands near a tent.
Photograph

Spader Johnson the Clown

Date: 
Description: Spader Johnson dressed as a clown.
Photograph

Female Snake Charmer

Date: 1935
Description: A female snake charmer with the Cole Brothers Circus, watched by two children.
Photograph

Circus Performers

Date: 1935
Description: Circus performer Harriet Hodgini, sits on the gate of a truck helping Otto Griebling, a circus clown, apply his makeup.
Book or Pamphlet

Milwaukee Harvester Company Catalog

Date: 1895
Description: Cover of an advertising catalog for the Milwaukee Harvester Company featuring a color illustration of a derailed train carrying circus animals and a man op...
Photograph

Circus Cook Tent

Date: 1942
Description: Cooks preparing food for fellow workers with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Photograph

Women Circus Drummers

Date: 1942
Description: Five women drummers with the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus posing with striped drums. They are wearing band uniforms, including large hats to...
Photograph

Clown in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus

Date: 
Description: A clown in the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus standing outside a tent near a wagon, with his left hand holding onto a tent rope. He is wearing a beret-style hat,...
Photograph

Waiting in line for Circus Tickets

Date: 1903
Description: People stand in line to purchase tickets at a Barnum & Bailey Circus ticket wagon near the main tent.

Have Questions?

If you didn't find the material you searched for, our Library Reference Staff can help.

Call our reference desk at 608-264-6535 or email us at: