Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island Ringling Museum of Art February 4, 2009

Captain’s blog

The temperature dropped today into the mid 50’s with a brisk wind. It’s very chilly but sunny so we headed out to Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island to check out the area which reminds us of the cape but a bit more upscale.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Ringling Museum of Art. Within the museum grounds are the Ca’d’Zan or “The House of John” – John Ringling. The mansion was completed in 1926 and soon became the epicenter of cultural life in Sarasota. We toured the home and were duly impressed with the unique architectural features and amazing furniture and fixtures that were purchased in Europe.

Next we visited the Ringling Museum of the American Circus which is the first museum of its kind to document the history of the circus. Within the museum are rare handbills, posters, art, wardrobes, props and all types of circus equipment including the magnificent carved parade wagons.

In the Tibbals Learning Center the Howard Bros. Circus Model is a replica of the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919-1938. The model is complete with eight main tents, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more then 800 animals and a 59-train. The model is built in 3/4 inch to foot scale and occupies 3,800 square feet. “The world’s largest miniature circus” was created over more then 50 years by master model builder and philanthropist, Howard Tibbals.

We then toured the Museum of Art that is filled with masterpieces purchased by John and Mable Ringling from all over the world.

The museum now houses displays of European, American and Asian works of art in its permanent collection galleries. The Ringling Museum also collects modern and contemporary art and presents temporary exhibitions from its own collections and traveling collections in the museums’ Searing Wing.

We completed our wonderful day with a great meal at Longhorn’s then back to the coach to plan the next couple of days. Unfortunately we are heading North representing heading home. Not something we really want to do.