05/21/2026
16 years ago today we opened the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center in Baraboo. It was founded in 1986 in Delavan, WI, with stops in Milwaulkee & West Allis WI. We like to think it has found its forever home here in a city where circus is celebrated.
It’s had its highs & lows over that decade and half. Leaky roofs, a Covid shutdown of 18 months, financial struggles that continue to this day. But the “highs” of being recognized by the Library of Congress, the Circus Historical Society and other major arts institutions and the constant flow of wonderfully historic artifacts being donated and the smiles we see daily kinda balance things out.
But when a 12 year old leaves here knowing a bit about Mark Anthony and his skill carving foam props, or the name Red Skelton, which the kid will google and discover a legendary clown…it’s worth it.
That Lou Jacobs help teach & mentor an entire generation of baby clowns at the Ringling Clown College. That clowns are so much more than red noses, floppy shoes & baggy pants. They share their heart with audience’s. That’s a good thing.
We try to educate them that scary clowns are only scary if you believe they are real, not fictional characters in books or movies. The clowns they will meet here dedicated their lives and funny bones to making life alittle bit better and to help you forget your problems and find laughter everyday. Thats our goal.
Our former board president, amazing clown historian and dear friend, Pat Cashin was here 16 years ago helping this become a reality. He’s gone now but we remember him daily, miss him greatly and I found an email he sent to me the day we opened the doors here, so many years ago.
“Greg…I had the opportunity to hear Merle Kodo Boyd speak recently and she used the phrase “devoting your life to feeding hungry ghosts.”
I like that. That’s possibly the best articulation of what you, me, Sandy, Jessi, Karen, Emily, Tommy, Toto, Neal Skoy, Jeff, Todd, Mary, Ralph & Joan and so many others were doing in these long days leading up to the opening of the Clown Hall of Fame. Devoting ourselves to feeding some very hungry ghosts.
And hopefully there’re a little less hungry right now.- Pat.”
I hope so. ❤️
