Shelburne Museum Circus Back in Town

Carousel music and animals draw families to the Shelburne Museum's circus building, but on the inside it's the staff that's spinning.

This flurry of activity is preparing for the building's grand re-opening.

"Now when they come in, it's a lighter, brighter environment," says Kory Rogers of the Shelburne Museum.

A nearly half-million dollar, several year-long project, the renovations don't touch the basic design of the building.

Walking through its horseshoe shape still recreates the feel of having a circus parade march past you. But what the project does change is the lighting and climate here. They're now improved and controlled so delicate circus posters can hang safely.

"Circus posters really laid the foundation of modern advertising," says Rogers.

The museum's collection of posters numbers more than 500. 30 from the heyday of circuses are now on view. They include images of so-called "freaks," including the bearded lady.

"I think the standards of decency have changed over time," says Rogers.

Also changed he says-- the way we handle these objects. Back in 1991 renovations to a home in Colchester revealed someone had plastered large and colorful posters to the outside of the property. Today it's almost unimaginable that few people used to value the art or history of circus objects. Because now they're highly sought-after collectibles, and institutions like the Shelburne Museum have spent countless hours conserving them. That fascination with the whimsy and vivid colors of these entertainment icons has made this building one of the most popular here.

"I think it reminds them of their childhood. The circus has worked its way into mainstream culture in so many ways and has become a part of so many people's childhoods," explains Rogers.

And now people can continually be brought back in time-- with these renovations complete.

July 31, 2008