Exploring the Ringling Mansion and Circus Museum

“There’s a house we can build every room inside is filled with things from far away...” 🎵🎶 we drove up to John Ringling’s house singing The Greatest Showman, and we often thought about P.T. Barnum as we walked around the grounds and the circus museum. Another example of movie’s making history more meaningful! . . And an excellent life lesson for the kids about having your millions and losing all of it. Read the story of Ca d’Zan (his Venetian mansion) and their travels and spending habits and art acquisitions... and the ultimate loss of everything. So much so that the nearby university undertook to save the house two decades ago. . . The circus museum and seeing his Pullman railroad car were interesting... but nothing compared to seeing the beauty of the house and gardens and yes, more giant banyan groves. . . A true gem of Sarasota overlooking the water.