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Why Join the Circus Historical Society?

The Circus Historical Society (CHS) is Section 501 (c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that is as eclectic as the circus itself! Members include historians, academics, enthusiasts, and show people from all over the world. Whether you are a First of May or a seasoned trouper, you will find your group within the CHS!

What are the Benefits of Membership?

• Four issues of Bandwagon: The Journal of the Circus Historical Society each year. This full-color journal showcases articles by specialists and experts from a variety of areas of circus history and provides peeks into the premier library, museum, and private circus collections in the world. Bandwagon is mailed to members quarterly. Members also have the option to receive Bandwagon digitally instead. With this option, you will not receive a paper copy of Bandwagon, but will be notified via email when a new issue is available on the members-only Back Yard site as a PDF. Dues are the same for both the printed and digital-only formats. If desired, select "Digital Bandwagon Only" when completing your membership application.

• Online access to embargoed digital copies of the past 3 years of Bandwagon via the members-only Back Yard. Additionally, in 2022, CHS made over 500 fully searchable issues of Bandwagon available on Internet Archive, a collection that has become a leading online resource for circus history research. 

• Entry to the Back Yard, the members-only section of the CHS website, where you can update your member information, pay your dues, and purchase used circus books, programs, and other circus memorabilia in our online Bookstore (only available for members).

• Digital receipt of our periodic Advance Car e-newsletter and notices of our popular online monthly Circus History Live! program that features interviews with circus professionals, historians, and others. Recordings of previous Circus History Live! programs are available on the CHS YouTube Channel.

• Participation in our Annual Convention at the discounted member's registration rate. Conventions are usually held at locations with access to sites of importance to circus history. They include presentations, a banquet, an auction, and other circus activities. Click Next Convention for details of our upcoming convention.

• Networking opportunities to meet collectors and sellers of circus artifacts and ephemera, to share information, and to expand or start your own circus history collection.

• In recognition of our work in preserving, promoting, and sharing through education the history and cultural significance of the circus, in 2024, the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque in Monte-Carlo honored the CHS with an Associate Membership in the Fédération. As a result, CHS members may attend the Fédération's General Assembly meetings during the annual International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo each January. In addition, the Fédération will allocate a limited number of free tickets to the CHS each year for members to attend to two of the competition performances at the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo. For further information about this member benefit, send an email to CHS Monte-Carlo Information. Members who want to apply for the limited number of free tickets that have been allocated to the CHS must email their request to the CHS President not later than the 15th of September preceding January of the year that they want to attend the Festival. Tickets will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Travel, lodging, and meals are at your own expense. 

How much does it cost to become a CHS member?

Dues are only $60 per year for US Periodical Mail members, $80 for US 1st Class Postage and Canadian members, and $105 for other international members.

How do I join? 

You can join online or by mail.

• If you want to join online, select one of the Membership levels listed below and follow the instructions.

• If you want to join by mail, download a Membership Application Form and mail the application and your check or money order to the address on the form.  If you want to renew by mail, download a Membership Renewal Form.

Can I give a CHS membership to someone else? 

Yes. If you want to give a membership to someone else, select one of the Membership levels listed below and enter their name, mailing address, email address, and your credit card information. If you don't have their email address, enter your email address. Also remember to answer "Yes" to the Gift Membership question and enter your name in the Name of Donor field. You can also download a Gift Membership Application Form and mail the application and your check or money order to the address on the form.

Learn more about us:

Read the history of the Circus Historical Society

Watch recordings from our previous Circus History Live! events

Download the CHS brochure [PDF]

Visit our Facebook Page