Circus Historical Society
Become a member and enjoy a subscription to our quarterly journal, the Bandwagon. Explore our online Bookstore for hard-to-find used circus books, photographs, and programs. Receive our e-newsletter, the Advance Car. Attend our annual convention!
About CHS
Founded in 1939, the Circus Historical Society is a tax exempt not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of circus. The Society’s membership includes a diverse selection of scholars, researchers, educators, archivists, curators, librarians, circus professionals and enthusiasts united with the common goal of documenting circus history and disseminating circus information.
2025 CHS Convention
The dates and location of the 2025 Circus Historical Society Convention will be announced here in the Fall of 2024.
Click here for further details.
Circus History Live!
A free Zoom program for members and non-members, Circus History Live! features interviews with circus professionals, authors, historians, and more.
Bandwagon
Each issue of our full-color quarterly journal the Bandwagon contains scholarly articles about circus history. Members have access to decades of back issues.
Research
The CHS is your gateway to circus history! Explore our comprehensive databases about circus people, routes, wagons, and winter quarters. Check out our Blog. Find links to major circus collections, publications and more.
Our Mission
The mission of the Circus Historical Society is to preserve, promote and share though education, the history and cultural significance of the circus and allied arts, past and present.
A note from the society President
Welcome to the Circus Historical Society website! Please feel free to explore our “web lot” and discover the fascinating history of the circus. If you are not already a member, please join and attend one of our annual conventions. CHS members receive our beautiful Bandwagon journal and have exclusive access to our Members Only online research resources, Bookstore, and other benefits.