The 2023 Circus Historical Society Convention was held from Thursday, August 24 through Sunday, August 27 in Normal, Illinois, home of Illinois State University’s Milner Library and Gamma Phi Circus, the Sweet Corn Circus, and the final resting places of several historic circus people.
Details for the 2024 Convention will be announced in the Fall of 2023.
2023 Convention Program
The program began on Thursday afternoon with a keynote address, Reimagining The Greatest Show On Earth, by Kenneth Feld, Chair & CEO of Feld Entertainment and ended on Saturday evening with our annual fundraising auction of circus posters, books, programs and other memorabilia.
Maureen Brunsdale, Milner Special Collections Librarian and a CHS Trustee, spoke at the banquet the life of circus legend Antoinette Concello.
The convention also included seminars on a variety of circus history topics, entertainment at the historic Normal Theater, a performance by Gamma Phi Circus at the Sweet Corn Circus, an optional visit to the circus exhibit at the McLean County Museum, and a reception and private tour of the extensive circus history research collection at the Milner Library! The seminars and some other convention activities were held at Uptown Station which is directly across the street from the convention hotel. Click here to view the 2023 Convention program.
Copyright Policy
Cookies Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
