2024 VIP on the Verandah

2023 VIP on the Verandah – You can see Kate Clayton Jones (Ringling) in the yellow blouse and Tom Farley in the white polo shirt.

Attending the Big Top Circus Parade? Join us as we view the parade from the historical verandah of the AL. Ringling Mansion!

Both AL. Ringling Mansion and AL. Ringling Brewing Co. will open at 9am to handle VIP check in, guided tours, and concessions. The parade starts at 11am and is typically an hour long.

  • General VIP Admission: $50 each
  • Child VIP Admission: $25 each from ages 6-13
  • Free for Children ages 5 and under (Lap Seating)

General VIP ticket includes a pint of AL. Ringling Brewing Co. beer (ages 21 and older) OR soda & popcorn with a viewing seat, and a child’s VIP ticket 6-13 will include soda & cotton candy with a viewing seat.

Ticket proceeds will go towards the restoration efforts for the AL. Ringling Mansion.

View our EventBrite link page to purchase tickets!

=================================

Here’s what else is happening this day:

Guided Tours will occur every hour from 9am-3pm inside the AL. Ringling Mansion for an additional cost, skipping the 11am hour slot for the parade.

The brewery is open from 9am-10pm.

=================================

Note: There is no fee to view the Big Top Parade. Our grounds have always welcomed spectators to view the parade without charge. For parking, please plan accordingly as our parking lot may be used for the parade.

Spring Season Tours

A close up section of the dining room.

As of April 1, 2023, guided tours are now walk in every day of the week. Available tour times are: 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm; each tour is about 1 hour long. Monday-Thursday, tours begin on the verandah of the mansion, and Friday-Sunday tours begin in the taproom of the brewery.

Winter Season Schedule is in Effect

Tours are by appointment for the winter season any day of the week. Please give us a call to book your guided tour with us.

Available tour times are: 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm; each tour is about 1 hour long and start at the verandah of the Mansion on Broadway Street.

Celebrating our 9th Anniversary!

Photo taken on July 1, 2022

JULY 1, 2022 – Today marks the 9th Anniversary of the AL. Ringling Mansion’s purchase by current proprietors Donald, Joe, and Carmen!

Thank you to all for your support in keeping this historical site cared for over the years. More restoration projects are on the horizon for this 2022 year. Guided tours held daily every hour, on the hour, from 11am until the last tour starting 3pm.

New Plaque Setting

See below for the inscription in the plaque.

For 35 years, this plaque has been displayed on a post in front of the AL. Ringling Mansion. We hired a local mason this year to construct a base to embed the plaque for a nicer setting. The stone bricks were sourced from the foundation of the carriage house that was built along with the Mansion in 1905.

As a side note, that carriage house was torn down in 1948 to construct a ballroom (later known as the Lou Ringling Ballroom) that was converted to the brewery taproom that it is today.

The plaque reads:

“The Al Ringling Home – This red-stone mansion was erected by Al and Lou Ringling in 1905. In its day it was the most spacious and beautiful home in Sauk County. After Al’s death Lou remained for several years then moved east, later to return to live in another house in Baraboo.
The Ringling’s sister Ida, and her husband Henry W. North and family then occupied this house. Their sons John and Henry managed the circus after the Ringling Bros. died.

Of the seven sons Al was the ‘circus genius’. At first Lou served as snake-charmer, later became an outstanding equestrian. Always she was the friend of every person traveling with the show.

AL. and Lou are buried in a mausoleum in Baraboo’s Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Erected by the Sauk County Historical Society. 1985.”

Following the Wisconsin mask mandate (COVID-19)

Starting Saturday, August 1st, we will be requiring our guests who are taking the guided tours to wear a mask indoors to follow the Wisconsin statewide mask mandate due to COVID-19. If you have a medical condition or special circumstances that inhibit your breathing with a mask on, please let us or your tour guide know in advance so we can accommodate you.
We are back to holding daily guided tours from 11am – 4pm, every hour, on the hour, with the last tour beginning at 3pm.
Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation!
AL. Ringling Mansion

Re-opening for Guided Tours on Monday, May 25, 2020

Your presence has been greatly missed at the AL. Ringling Mansion, and we’re happy to announce that our doors will be open for guided tours on Monday, May 25th. Our times will be the same 11am – 4pm, every hour, on the hour, with the last tour beginning at 3pm.

We are using the following guidelines for the safety of both our guests and our tour guide to limit the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses:
Cash or credit cards are acceptable forms of payment, but credit cards would be most preferred at this time. Group tours are currently limited to eight people to allow for physical distancing. [August 1, 2020 Update: Masks are required to be worn by both staff and guests to due to the Wisconsin mask mandate.] Masks are welcome to be worn, but are not required to tour the mansion (with the exception of our tour guide who will be wearing a mask). We are increasing the frequency of cleaning/sanitizing our restroom, hand railings, door knobs, etc.

Please note that if you are having any symptoms of illness, we invite you to come again on other day. We hope that all of our guests can be patient and understanding as we adjust to our new “normal”. See you soon!

© AL. Ringling Mansion | 623 Broadway Street, Baraboo, WI | 608-448-7455