Wednesday, August 13, 2008

On the subject of Baraboo.


Scan10587, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

While filing away this morning's Circus World photos, this scrap of paper fell out.
My dad never threw away anything.

Posted by Buckles at 8/13/2008 10:17:00 AM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

God Bess your Dad! I am the proud owner of at least one Ethel Romelfanger album and a 45 RPM record (remember them)on which she plays "Happy Birthday To You" on the calliope. I often play this on the phone when I'm aware of a fan or showfolks birthday.

Paul G.

14 August, 2008 10:41
Buckles said...

My father was only at CWM once and that was by chance since Baraboo happened to be on the route we were traveling between Fair dates. I pointed out that it might be nice to stop and check the place out.
We pulled around to the back gate and Johnny came out dressed in his show wardrobe and welcomed us in.
He had a performance coming up but quickly took us to a vacant area behind the elephant barn saying we could stake the elephants there and pointed out the water and electricity.
I spotted the truck and started to drive the first stake when this big farmer looking guy comes up and yells,"Who the Hell are you?", I tried to answer but he continued, "You can't come in here and take over like you own the God Damn place!"
My dad gave me the high sign and I tossed the stuff back in the truck and as we drove back out the gate and up the hill I could the music from the Hippodrime below.
We got about half way down the Interstate to Madison when this car passed us and motioned for us to pull over. It was Johnny (still in wardrobe) and Chappie. After apoligies and assurances that we were welcome, we followed them back.
After a rocky start I remember it as a great visit and a memorable occasion but my father always referred to it as "Chappie's Wax Museum".
It turned out that our assailant had been Wilbur Deppe.

14 August, 2008 11:31
Anonymous said...

Chappie was the last great CWM Director. Since he left it has been down hill all the way. He had the means and know how to get the money to finance the aquisitions and get the thing going on a national level. Chappie was the museum and nobody since has been able to get it right.
J. Goodall don't bother to e-mail me because mine's not working and I don't think that you can really defend the years after Chappie.
Bob kitto

15 August, 2008 19:57
Bob Cline said...

Mr. Kitto,
I believe I agree with you in one aspect, Chappie Fox was a great CWM Director. As I recall he was the Director from 1960 to 1972. It hasn't been downhill ever since though.

Let's see, the W.W.Deppe Wagon Pavilion has been built on top of the hill, the C.P. Fox Restoration Shops have been built on top of the hill, the Main entrance is now the huge Feld Building with a Movie theater and displays, a Gift Shop and the primary Museum offices.

The Robert Parkinson Research Library is thee largest collection of circus emphemera anywhere. The CWM Library just recieved some grants to start digitizing some of the collections.

More displays are in more of the Ringling buildings than ever before.

Grant monies have been obtained to literally rebuild the train sheds in several phases that are already completed and new windows and concrete floors, however, I will say, I'm not sure if that phase is completed yet.

All of the Ringling Buildings are being researched for structural integrity right now to apply for a Federal grant to preserve them as best can be.

Ben Barkin passed away in Milwaukee and the parade days were over with in Miwaukee. Milwaukee wants to try it again on July 12, 2009. They fell like its worth the effort.

In the days of corporate sponsorship thinking its more important to promote NASCAR instead of community efforts, 4.00 a gallon gasoline and in the Wisconsin Dells and surrounding areas, the collapse of Lake Delton and subsequent flooding, when are you going to stop comparing running a business 50 years ago to the same thing today?

It is a true testament to the Board members, circus goers, general public, and the generous donors that the Museum has continued to grow since Chappie left office in 1972.

In closing I will say, it saddens me to see there is no one associated with the daily operations of CWM now that has any historical knowledge of the collection. As a Business, the Museum is run in a manner that continues to keep it in Business. That is definitely a good thing.

Bob Cline

16 August, 2008 11:10

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