Baraboo, WI – The Wisconsin Historical Society is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $499,999 Save America’s Treasures grant by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

The funding will be used for the restoration and preservation of the Ringling Bros. Circus’ 1901 Animal House, a National Historic Landmark building on the grounds of Circus World in Baraboo. Circus World, one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums, is located on the former site of the Ringling Bros. Circus headquarters and wintering grounds.

“Circus World is an international leader in celebrating the timeless heritage of travelling circuses, the circus arts, and the vibrant stories of the people and animals who made ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ possible,” said Scott O’Donnell, director of Circus World. “This significant Save America’s Treasures grant will allow us to continue sharing this dynamic circus history with the public by transforming the amazing historic buildings on our site into spaces of exploration and education.”

This announcement follows last year’s Save Americas Treasures grant of $499,999 for the restoration of the 1901 Ringling Bros. Office on the site. Work on that National Historic Landmark building began in the summer of 2022.

“We are grateful for this significant and impactful Save America’s Treasures funding, as Circus World is indeed one of America’s treasures,” said Christian Overland, the Ruth and Hartley Barker Director & CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “It allows the Society to move forward with a vision to revitalize these historically important structures and turn Circus World into a year-round attraction for generations to come.”

Historically, animals were a central element in American circuses, and when the show was not on the road, the animals were housed in structures designed to meet their specific needs. The Animal House, a heated brick structure, provided 4,536 square feet of additional winter quartering space for the Ringlings’ animal troupe, which included monkeys, giraffes, birds, ostriches, antelope, zebras and rhinos.

“The Animal House was a critical piece of the Ringling Bros. Circus empire, but without swift action to stabilize and repair the building, this piece of circus history would be lost,” said O’Donnell. “This grant funding helps cover repairs needed to preserve a rare American treasure so that future generations can experience Wisconsin’s unique circus legacy.”

This project is supported through the Save America’s Treasures grants program, provided by the Historic Preservation Fund, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior. The grant program was established in 1998 and is a national effort to protect “America’s threatened cultural treasures, including historic structures, collections, works of art, maps, and journals that document and illuminate the history and culture of the United States.” The grants are awarded with funding to be matched by state and/or private entities.

The Wisconsin Historical Society maintains seven historic buildings at Circus World, which will remain open throughout the work. The buildings will be restored to the 1915 era, which is within the period of significance for the National Historic Landmark district.

“The revitalization and restoration of Ringlingville is in full motion and we cannot wait to share this exciting future with the public,” said O’Donnell. “The future has never been brighter at Circus World.”