Circus Hall of Fame

The Circus Hall of Fame
Harry Haag Jr., Horse Ballet - Prancing Horses-8 horse Liberty Act;
Naomi - Rolling Globe; Ruby Haag - Canine Review
(1963)

Pat Eagon works as Puppeteer and on refreshments
(1962,1963...)

The Circus Hall of Fame was organized in 1954 by a group of circus fans and enthusiasts in the Sarasota area.
Doors were first opened to the public in January, 1956.

How the Circus Hall of Fame Came to Peru Indiana

In 1981, a group of Peru citizens learned that the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, Florida, was for sale. Founded in 1954, the Hall of Fame attracted 80,000 visitors a year until 1979 when the leased land on which it stood was sold. A circus enthusiast eager to keep the artifacts from being auctioned off separately, bought the entire collection.

When the Hall of Fame became available, Indiana residents, businesses and the state government gave $450,000 to purchase the collection and bring it to Peru. Many other items have been added, including 16 historical wagons reconstructed in the Hall of Fame wagon shop and the Peru Wagon Works Shop in town.

At the heart of the Circus Hall of Fame are the legendary circus artists, workers and managers who have been selected by an international committee of circus historians.

The Hall of Fame collection included more than forty vintage circus wagons and steam calliopes, costumes of famous performers, circus props and other artifacts, posters, lithographs and handbills from circuses around the world.