 |
| The Ringling Museum.......a masterpiece just a few miles down the road! |
I'll have to admit that I'm a little embarrassed to be posting this blog just now. We've spent so much time out here on Anna Maria Island over the years and until last week we had never visited the Sarasota Ringling Museum, which is just eighteen miles down the road from us. I'm not sure what took us so long to get there, but we're sure glad that we finally made it!
John Ringling was one of five brothers who organized and took their first circus on the road in 1884. The circus was an instant success and grew rapidly from its inception. John was considered the most business savvy of the five brothers and diversified his portfolio beyond the circus to include railroads and real estate. In 1905, at the age of 39 he married Mable Burton (age 30). The Ringling's never had children but were passionate about entertaining family and friends as well as collecting top of the line furniture and artwork from around the world.
In 1911 they purchased 20 waterfront acres in Sarasota, which at the time was a small fishing village. The Ringling's saw the potential for development of the area and soon built their large home on the property. While building the house they also decided to build an art museum that they would leave behind as part of their legacy. Additionally, they made the decision to move the winter home of the circus from Connecticut to Sarasota. Both of these decisions were considered key in the early development and continued growth of Sarasota.
There's plenty to see and do on the grounds of the museum. In fact, we found so much to do on the day of our first visit that we went back the next day. Of course, there was a reason for the double visits and naturally it had to do with savings!
On Mondays there is free admission (called Legacy Day) to the large and very interesting art museum. The collections on display include ancient Indian sculptures, masterpiece paintings, photography, modern art and much more. We enjoyed spending a couple of hours roaming the 21 connected galleries as well as the glass pavilion showcase. Access to the very impressive grounds is also included in the free admission. We didn't spend too much time roaming the grounds which are covered with huge Banyon Trees because of the heat. We've already made plans to return once cooler temperatures arrive and enjoy a picnic at one of the many tables scattered around the grounds. We had left our phones (cameras) in the car so there aren't any pictures from the art museum or grounds that we took. There are plenty of photos of both in the link.
What is not included in the Legacy Day is admission to the Ringling's Mansion (Ca'd'Zan Mansion), or the Circus Museums. What caught our eye was the "Summer Circus Spectacular" which runs several days a week through mid-August. This event is a one-hour circus which featured five traditional circus acts for $20 and admission to the Circus Museums for an additional $5. We had so much fun in the Art Museum, we couldn't pass up the opportunity for more fun and adventure, so we purchased circus tickets for the next day............and we're sure glad we did.
The circus was very entertaining, but the star of the show was the two circus museums which were outstanding. They featured interactive displays and memorabilia from Ringling Brothers and other circuses that traveled the country performing, first under the big top, and then in large arenas. Most impressive was learning the logistics of setting up, tearing down and transporting the circus from town to town, especially when we learned that in most cases the typical length of time in any town was one day! There is also a massive display of wooden figures that were carved and painted by hand showing how it all worked. There are over 42,000 pieces in the 3,800 square foot display. It's so large and detailed that pictures don't do it justice.
 |
| The circus is held in a small theater that seats approximately 200. The majority of the audience at the performance we attended were day camp children. They brought plenty of enthusiasm with them which made it even more fun. |
 |
| Just a very small part of the 42,000 piece model circus display. It's the world's largest and it's amazing! |
 |
| Maybe I missed my calling............. |
 |
| Maybe Beth missed her calling as well. |
 |
| Lou Jacobs was a famous clown in the Ringling Brothers Circus. He could somehow fit himself into this car and drive it into the arena. |
 |
| The traveling ticket office that was used when the circus was performing under the "big top" |
 |
| John and Mable Ringling's private rail car that would travel with the circus from town to town. There were two bedrooms, a parlor, two bathrooms (one with a bathtub), a kitchen and dining area. |
 |
| One of several circus wagons that were used both during performances as well as for parades that were held to announce the circus had come to town. |
It took us a long time to get to the Ringling Museum, rest assured it won't take us as long to get back!
