Subscribe Feed (RSS)PARKER MUSEUM/SIPE FREAK EXHIBIT/NEWS
The SIPE COLLECTION OF OUTDOOR AMUSEMENTS has been recieving a lot a press lately. The exhibit opened on the new second floor space at THE C.W. PARKER CAROUSEL MUSEUM in Leavenworth KS in February of 2009. In the main gallery of the museum THE PROFESOR T’S TRAVELING SIDESHOW MUSEUM AND FREAK HALL OF FAME is currently on display and will run as a special exhibit through Memorial Day weekend. This great story is from THE KANSAS CITY STAR. It features Professor T himself doing the HUMAN BLOCKHEAD ACT.
PROFESSOR T HIMSELF
WE had a great time at the Parker Carousel Museum yesterday. We took the complete tour and learned all kinds of things that we didn’t know about Carousels and their history. The presentation of side show information and the artifacts on display made for a great adjunct to the whole experience. Finally, the ride on the Carousel was the icing on the cake, a truly worthwhile way to enjoy an afternoon with the family.
What a great treasure for Leavenworth and the Kansas City Metro / Midwest area! Touring the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum brought back lots of childhood memories of a by-gone era. It was enlightening, educational, fun, and made you appreciate how hard they workded to provide us with 5 minutes of enjoyment. Cudos go to the volunteers who share their love of the carousel’s history, and to Rod Sipe for his personal contribution to the era of the sideshow and freak shows. Good Luck to all involved!
Hi, Rod!
Great afternoon and thank you for arranging.
The Freak Show exhibit brings back memories of the “Dime Museum” that would occasionally come to St. Joseph, MO when I was a kid in the late 40s.
Always had a magician, fire eater, an animal freak, perhaps a tattooed person and an extra charge event ie: someone in the blade box and you paid to go up and look inside. (I always did).
Thanks again!
Roger
I had a wonderful time seeing some of the things I remembered from my childhood as well as things I had only heard of. To see actual props from this era of entertainment was a real treat. Thanks for preserving a part of our American heritage and allowing such a close up look at the history of the sideshow.
A terrific day. I shrank into childhood as I enjoyed going around and around on the carousel and absolutely loving the music. Gosh, it was great feeling like a kid again, if only for a few minutes. So very interesting to learn the history of the carousel and how a man’s dream was realized. I enjoyed every second of the tour, even when Joe set of the elevator alarm. We’re lucky to have him.