Title: The Great Circus Parade Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1963-2000

Creator:

• Milwaukee Public Library

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 316

Quantity:

• 0.2 cubic ft. (1 box)
• 1 oversize folder

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Collection of programs, publications, and ephemera from The Great Circus Parade that is put on by the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0316

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Circus World Museum, located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, opened to the public in 1959. The Museum wanted to exhibit their collection of historic circus wagons in a parade similar to how a traveling circus would parade through the towns it visited. The old circuses did this in order to let the people see what was in the circus and if they wanted to attend. With the sponsorship of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co., the first of these parades was held in Milwaukee in 1963. It continued to be held there every year, with the exception of some years taking place in Chicago or Baraboo. In recent years, the parade occurrs less frequently. The most recent parade was in 2009.

The collection contains various programs, publications, bulletins, tickets, posters, and other ephemera from The Great Circus Parades that were held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within each folder.

The Great Circus Parade Collection, 1963-2000, Collection 316. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available in The Great Circus Parade digital collection.

Archival Collections

• Milwaukee and Vicinity View-Master Collection. Milwaukee Historic Photo Collection 30.

• Circus World Parade Collection. Milwaukee Historic Photo Collection 49.

Publications and Other Items

The Great Circus Parade [miscellaneous publications]

The Great Circus Parade [videorecording]

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Materials were collected by the Milwaukee Public Library and added to the Humanities Department Pamphlet Collection. The collection was transferred and accessioned to Local History Manuscripts in 2019.

Processing Information

Processed by Bob Jaeger, 2019. Materials added by Tobias Fudge, 2024.

Box   1 Folder   1	"Circus Comes to Town", 1963
Box   1 Folder   2	Circus World and Parade Bulletins, 1963
Box   1 Folder   3	Ephemera and Advertisements, 1963-1985
Box   1 Folder   4	Itineraries and Descriptions, 1963-1964
Box   1 Folder   5	Let's See, "The Great Circus Parade", 1963
Oversize Folder   1	Posters, 1966-1991
Box   1 Folder   6	Programs, 1963-2000
Box   1 Folder   7	Tickets, 1963-1989