December 3, 2021

THE RINGLING ESTATE

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

The John and Mable Ringling Estate consists of what could be three different museums. First, there is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Next, there is the Circus Museum and the Tibbals Learning Center. Finally, there is Ca’ d’ Zan, the Ringling’s mansion. The property also includes two gardens and the burial site of John, Mabel and his sister Ida Ringling North.

This was my third trip to the Ringling Estate. The Art Museum and Ca’ d’ Zan remain pretty much the same as I remembered them. The Circus Museum has added some things to their collection.

Admission to the estate allows you to tour the Art Museum, Circus Museum and the grounds. There is an additional charge if you want to take a self-guided tour of Ca’ d’ Zan.

John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art

“The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the official state art museum of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable Burton Ringling and John Ringling for the people of Florida. Florida State University assumed governace of the museum in 2000.” Wikipedia.

John Ringling collected art, mainly 13th-20th Century European Art. He established the museum, and then just before his death in 1936 he bequeathed his property and art collection to the state of Florida, with the stipulation that no one can change the name of the museum. Because Ringling was near bankruptcy his estate was tied up in court for several years and the property fell into disrepair. Fortunately, the state turned responsibility for the property over to Florida State University (which created a Board of Trustees) and appropriated $42.9 million in construction funds with the stipulation that the museum raise an addition $50 million, which they did.

The museum offers 21 galleries of art. It took several photos, but was not diligent in getting the name and/or artist information.

The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek, Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1625

The courtyard in the center of the Art Museum.

There are 91 pillars in the courtyard. Each one is different. There a differences in height, circumference, and material. You really only notice it when it is pointed out because the top of each pillar is at the same height.

Circus Musuem and the Tibbals Learning Center

“The Circus Museum, established in 1948, is the first museum of its kind to document the history of the circus. The museum has a collection of handbills, posters and art prints, circus paper, business records, wardrobe, performing props, circus equipment, and parade wagons. The adjacent Tibbals Learning Center contains The Howard Bros. Circus model. Built by Howard Tibbals, this ¾-inch-to-the-foot scale model display is inspired by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919–1938, and is billed as the "world's largest miniature circus" Wikipedia.

Being a fan of the circus, this museum is always a treat. The museum houses several different pieces of circus history, mainly revolving around the Ringling Bros. Circus. There are several circus wagons, posters, wardrobe pieces, and other circus memorabilia. The museum now houses The Wisconsin, a Pullman Railroad car that was owned and used by John Ringling to travel with the circus. Another highlight is the scale model of a circus that defies description.

Ticket boxes filled with stubs from the final performance under a canvas tent on July 16, 1956.

An Elephant Blanket from around the 1980s. It announces animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams, who performed with the Ringling Bros. Circus for many years. I saw him perform many times.

Ringmaster Harold Ronk performed with the Ringling Bros. Circus for 30 years.

Lou Jacobs was the consumate circus clown. This is the tiny car he crawled out of, a routine he performed for many years. It is even featured in the movie, "The Greatest Show on Earth."

I found it interesting that the circus was performing in Knoxville.

Ca’ d’Zan

“Ca’ d’Zan (Venetian for “House of John”), is the waterfront residence built for Mable and John Ringling. The manson was designed by architect Dwight James Baum with assistance from the Ringlings, built by Owen Burns, and was completed in 1926.

It is designed in Venetian Gothic style. Overlooking Sarasota Bay, the mansion became the center for cultural life in Sarasota for several years. The residence was restored in 2002." Wikipedia.

A self-guided tour of the first floor of the Ringling’s home is well worth the small extra fee. There is a phone app one can download which takes you from room to room pointing out hightlights. The first floor of the home was definitely designed for entertaining, with a grand foyer, formal dining room, tap room, ballroom, and huge indoor courtyard which opens up to the outdoor courtyard on Sarasota Bay. The furnishings range from elegant to extravegant, as would be expected of a circus magnate.

I’m sure the Rose Garden and Secret Garden are both beautiful during blooming season.

The dining room ceiling. Looks like carved wood, but is painted plaster.

The marble stairway to the second floor.

Doorway out to the Outdoor Courtyard. All windows and doors on the bay side of the house were tinted with different colors.

A Christmas Tree in the Kitchen with hand-carved Gingerbread decorations made by the staff of Ca' d'Zan.

The detail in the workmanship was amazing.

The pier down the steps from the Outdoor Courtyard.

The burial sites of John, Mable and his sister, Ida Ringling North.

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