John Ringling: Dreamer, Builder, Collector

John Ringling

As mentioned in a previous post, I did not take many pictures when I went to the Ringlling Museum   with visiting friends. I knew that I would go again, and I knew that there were too many pictures to take on that particular occasion. Bruce and I did make it back, and nearly five hours later, we covered as much territory as our tired feet could cover!

It had been my intention to divide our visit into two separate posts, but I see now that that will be impossible - there is just too much to cover. So -today I will bring you Ca'd'Zan, the Ringling residence. My next post will cover the Museum of Art, and a portion of The Circus Museum. I will devote my final post on this visit to The Tibbals Learning Center, a portion of the Circus Museum, and sadly, a building that my friends and I missed completely on the previous visit.

First up, a video providing an overview of the property, and a bit of history.

Ca'd'Zan

"The home of the circus king and his wife, a couple from humble mid-western origins, Ca’ d’Zanstands as a testament to the American Dream of the Roaring Twenties. Inspired by and designed in the Venetian Gothic style of the palazzos that ring the Venice canals, this dazzling palatial mansion perfectly captures the splendor and romance of the Italy the Ringlings so loved. To honor its owner, they named it Ca’ d’Zan, “House of John”, in the dialect of their beloved Venice."  http://www.ringling.org/ (and all subsequent, quoted information in the posts to follow that are devoted to the Ringling Museum)

Downstairs

Mabel Ringling

Upstairs

John Ringling's Bedroom

Mabel Ringling's Bedroom (There were other bedrooms on the third floor that we did not have access to)



Quite Something!