Historic photo (1910) by Harry A. Atwell as seen on monovisions.com
Haven’t we all, at one point or another, wanted to run away and join the circus? And do it in STYLE? Now, thanks to the Historical Society, you can… at least for the day.
On Wednesday January 22, we’ll let you imagine being a circus performer, a guest of John and Mable… during a private tour of
Courtesy The Ringling
the Wisconsin, John & Mable Ringling’s first private railroad car,
in the Circus Museum at The Ringling.
Our intimate group will get a private tour led by Jennifer Lemmer-Posey, Tibbals Curator of Circus, and Pullman Car Historian David Duncan and will learn about the Ringling life on the rails and about the amazing parade wagons used by the circus in the Ringling era.
Courtesy getrealexclusive.com
“Understanding that the Ringlings didn’t own a home, they rented for many years… one can imagine the Wisconsin was the Ca d’Zan before they built the Ca d’Zan,” says Deborah Walk, retired Ringling assistant director of legacy and circus, and current Society Board member.
This event will help preserve the historic Crocker Church, the Bidwell-Wood House, and our ongoing educational programs. The cost is $75 per person, including lunch at the renowned MUSE restaurant on the museum grounds. Call Linda Garcia, our HSoSC guardian angel at 941-364-9076 from 10am to 2pm Monday-Friday, or email hsosc1@gmail.com right NOW to grab one of the few remaning spots on this once-in-a-lifetime event!
“Many people have limited knowledge of Mennonites and Amish,” said Miller. “Often their only contact is them pedaling around on three-wheelers or visiting one of the restaurants located in Pinecraft, an enclave home to primarily Amish and conservative Mennonites.”
Presenting the life, times and achievements of Bertha Palmer is Frank Cassell, the award-winning author of Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family and The Rise of Sarasota. Cassell is President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg. He is an officer of the Sarasota County Historical Commission and the History and Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County. Cassell’s book will be available for purchase at the Conversation and the author will sign copies after the program.
Talking about the life and times of Mable Ringling (1875-1929) will be Deborah Walk, a nationally respected archivist, writer, lecturer and the former curator of the Ringling Museum of the Circus. After her marriage to circus impresario John Ringling in 1905 Mable Burton Ringling, a farm girl from the midwest, became a great traveler and travel became her education. In 1923, the Ringlings commissioned the architect Dwight James Baum to build their dream home in Sarasota, modeled on the Doge’s Palace and the Cá d’Oro in Venice. Mable oversaw every aspect of the construction, from the glazing of the tiles to the mixing of the terra cotta. She designed much of the original landscaping on the grounds of the estate, including her Rose Garden and Secret Garden. Mable was the founder in 1927 of the Sarasota Garden Club. Thousands of people from all over the world visit her extravagant mansion on Sarasota Bay annually to experience for a few hours how the wealthiest lived in another time.
Presenting the life and times of Marie Selby will be Jeannie Perales, Vice President for Museum Exhibitions, Learning & Engagement at Selby Gardens and the co-author of a book on Selby Gardens. She has been with The Gardens since 2010 where she oversees educational programming, exhibitions, interpretation, and volunteers.
