The home of John Ringling opened to the public on this date in 1946. Ringling was one of five brothers who owned and operated the Ringling Brothers Circus, known at the time as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” John Ringling became one of the wealthiest men in America and decided to build a grand palace in Sarasota in 1924. The 36,000-square-foot home, known as Cà d’Zan, cost an unprecedented $1.5 million to complete. John and his wife, Mable, began collecting famous pieces of art from European masters, and eventually opened a museum on the property in 1931. After Ringling’s death, the State of Florida acquired the property, which now includes Cà d’Zan, the Ringling Art Museum, the Ringling Circus Museum, and the Asolo Theater. In 2000, stewardship of the Ringling was placed under Florida State University.
~Florida Historical Society
