Visit/Contact Us!
Visit The Museum
The French Lick West Baden Museum is located in downtown French Lick in a newly refurbished historic building between Highway 56 and Maple Street. Look for the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus banners and the gold figure of Pluto in the window - not to mention our logo is our sign.
In the first half of the exhibit space you'll see presentations on artists Henry and Ferdinand Cross, Pluto water, the Monon Railroad, the original French Lick and West Baden Hotels, casinos from the late 1800's to 1949, African-American heritage, the special Town Gallery which changes several times a year, and an extremely rich sports history from golf, baseball, and boxing, to Larry Bird.
The second half of the space is a wonderfully detailed diorama, or miniature, of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus that wintered in French Lick from 1915 until it was sold to Ringling Brothers in 1929.
Experience the "Golden Years of the Circus" as you view the circus arriving in town by rail and unloading in preparation for the performance. The town scene depicts the spangled circus wagons, performers, and animals parading through business and residential districts to the delight of the "towners".
Reproductions of original Hagenbeck-Wallace circus banners hang on the outside walls of the museum.
The diorama culminates with the tent scene allowing the viewer to see not only the animal menagerie, side show, and big top tents but also the back lot activity, the food and horse tents, and the dressing room tents for the spectacular and regular acts.
Children of all ages will become young again as they peek inside the Big Top for a look at five rings of acts, the Spectacular, the aerialists, clowns, and elephants. One can almost smell the popcorn and peanuts, hear the trumpeting of elephants, laughter of children, and the applause.
Location:
469 S. Maple Street
French Lick, IN 47432
Admission
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$8.00 for adults
$7.00 for seniors
$2.00 for children 6-12 years
Tours
Group prices are as follows:$7.00 10-29 persons$6.00 30-99 persons$5.00 100 or more