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Legacy of the Ringlings Presentation at the Al Ringling
Name: Legacy of the Ringlings Presentation at the Al RinglingDate: January 17, 2026Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST
Event Description:
Join Paul Wolter, Executive Director of the Sauk County Historical Society for a series of presentations delving into the rich legacy of the Ringlings and their impact on the Baraboo community. These fascinating sessions will be presented at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 17 & 24, at the Al. Ringling Theatre and Jan 31 & Feb 7 at the Baraboo Library as part of the Chamber's Make Baraboo Your Winter Quarters campaign.
No need to register! Just show up for the presentations of your choice and stay around for the tour of the theater if you would like.
Saturday, Jan. 17 – Secrets of the Al. Ringling Theatre
Are there tunnels under the Al. Ringling Theatre? Do the murals inside the theater have hidden meanings? Is there a missing half to the theater? The Al. Ringling Theatre is full of secret spaces and hidden symbolism. Ever since it was completed in 1915 the theater has had an aura of mystery. The legends and myths surrounding the theater will be explored during this presentation.
Saturday, Jan. 24 – Al. & Lou Ringling, Baraboo’s Power Couple
At the turn of the 20th century, Al. and Lou Ringling were Baraboo’s power couple and were becoming nationally known. Their mysterious and at times tumultuous relationship began when they were allegedly married in 1883. Why did they make a secret trip to Hoboken, New Jersey, to get married again? Find out more about this fascinating couple and their rags to riches story.
Saturday, Jan. 31 – The Ringlings at Home
When the Ringling brothers came back to Baraboo each year in November after the circus season ended, they hunkered down for the winter, planning and preparing for the next season. For many years the brothers simply rented lodging for the few months that they were back in town. After several of the Ringling brothers married and started having children, they built homes for their families. Find out more about the Ringling homes and home life during this presentation.
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Why did the Ringlings pick Baraboo?
The Ringling Brothers Circus made Baraboo famous, but the Ringling family moved into and out of Baraboo three different times. What brought the family to Baraboo in the first place? The story goes back almost to the beginning of Baraboo when the extended family of the Ringlings, the Gollmars and the Moellers made their homes here. The three families were all connected by their matriarchs and all three families eventually were smitten with circus fever. Find out why Baraboo became the circus capital of America!