History of the circus in North America. Scenes of drawings, sketches, still photographs, and newspaper clippings regarding the circus. Cites George Washington donating a horse to the circus. Discussion 18th Century English circus organizer, John Bill Ricketts, and a newspaper clipping promoting his circus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sketch of his circus hall in Philadelphia. Scenes and information about P.T. Barnum and the famous elephant Jumbo, and singer Jenny Lind, known as "the Swedish Nightingale." Drawing of men with rings standing on stools. Drawing of a cab in front of a building. Promotional sign for the Central Park Menagerie and International Circus Company. Vintage scenes of a Ringling Brother Barnum and Bailey circus train arriving in a city pulled by a steam locomotive. Circus performers. Crowds of circus goers milling near a Side Shows entrance sign. A clown inflating the clothes of another clown to a giant size. Chimpanzee rides an elephant and a donkey stands near its foal. Lions, hippos, giraffes, dogs in the circus. Large crowd present during the circus viewing elephant, horse and lion show of the circus. Scenes of the circus parade processing around the big top tent. A tamer handling a female lion. A male lion walking on high wire parallel tighrope.

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