The CLOWN HALL OF FAME Needs Your Help!
The Baraboo area recently experienced heavy flooding rain that created many challenges to roads, homes and business owners. The ICHOF was greatly affected by this weather situation in that the roof of the building that houses our collection was compromised and the result was massive flooding to a major section of our exhibit area. One of a kind historical posters and lithographs, wardrobe, props and display elements were damaged and many physical, non historic areas (ceiling tiles, light fixtures, walls, carpet) were badly affected.
As you can guess, the costs involved in repair, clean up and replacing fall well beyond any budgeted financial surplus.
We have set up a GoFundMe page to accept donations as we rebuild this one of a kind museum to honor those human beings who bring laughter to the world. Please click the link below and consider offering your help.
Any level of financial support is most welcome and gratefully accepted. Your generosity means everything to us, as we move forward to "bear the torch" and help light the way for future generations to appreciate the craft of the clown and those who dedicated their lives to laughter.
THANK YOU!
Please help spread the word!
WINTER HOURS
Our summer season is now over and the International Clown Hall of Fame is open via appointment only from Labor Day through May.
If you plan to visit, please give us a call at 608-477-0353 to schedule your tour!
Admission: $8.00/adult, $5.00/child
Introducing the International Clown Hall of Fame's
HAPPY THE CLOWN LUNCHEON CLUB!
When: Noon, First Tuesday of Every Month (beginning May 3)
Where: PUMP HOUSE BAR & GRILL, Baraboo, WI
Everyone is Welcome!
Come One Come All!
For fun, conversation and jackpots!
A real circus gathering each & every month!
If you live here, just visiting or passing through, don't miss this one!
DUTCH TREAT and OFF MENU
Food, Beverage & More!
"Let us be thankful for the fools.
But for them the rest of us could not succeed"
– Mark Twain
Six years ago today we moved forward to re-opening this little place where clowns are celebrated, stories are remembered and lives dedicated to laughter are shared with old and new generations.
We opened our doors to the public on May 21, 2010 in our new home of Baraboo, Wisconsin. Since that date we have had thousands of guests visit us in person and view the most amazing collection of clown artifacts in the world. We hope they leave with a smile & respect for this art form and share our mission with their family and friends. Our presence on social media has allowed us to bring images and information to potentially millions of people world wide who appreciate clowning as the craft that it is, respect those individuals who's careers have elevated laughter to the most needed medicine for what ails us as a human race, and inspires those who are looking to fufill the calling in their life called clowning.
How perfect the timing that a museum that honors the humor in our lives began on this day known to our society as April Fools Day.
With that, the Board of Directors of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center is proud to announce a "FOOLISH FUNDRAISER" to begin today April 1, 2016 and conclude on the Anniversary day of our opening in Baraboo, Wi, May 21, 2016.
Our goal is for us to raise $10,000 in the next 51 days.
Our 2016 plans include:
• Adding substantially to our artifact collections
• Digitizing and making avaiable online our vast photo archives
• The transfer to digital dvd of thousands of feet of rare movie films
• New display fabrications
• Continuation of our Oral Histories project.
These goals can only be met with your help.
We will be including incentives to those who can help us reach this attainable dream. Please use the link below to PayPal to make your donation.
For today, April 1, 2016, in honor of this day celebrating fools, anyone donating $100.00 to $200.00 will recieve a limited edition Jim Howle poster honoring the very first 5 Inductees into the International Clown Hall of Fame. Titled, The Pit Stop, it features Lou Jacobs, Otto Griebling, Red Skelton, Emmett Kelly, Felix Adler and Mark Anthony. These are limited edition high quality poster prints.
Every day between today and May 21, 2016, the ICHOF will offer an incentive and grateful thank you to those who can donate and help preserve our shared clown heritage.
Check back here daily for a suprise and a sharing of clowns worldwide!
Please tell you friends, clown fans and people in your life that could use some laughter!
Please click the Donate Button to make your donation now.
For those that would prefer making a nominal monthly contribution rather than a single donation, we are also offering subscriptions to the ICHOF with which you would be able to donate a recurring payment of $10 a month automatically through PayPal.
Please use the Subscribe Button to make a recurring donation.
The ICHOF is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization so your contribution may be tax deductible.
Questions or inquiries? Email at GKDesanto@aol.com
A New Way to Get Involved in the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center!
CLICK HERE to learn about the benefits of becoming a member of this truly unique museum
Your membership in the Friends of the International Clown Hall of Fame means joining America's only organization dedicated solely to the preservation of the history of clowning. Our Friends stand together to become a part of a legacy dedicated to honoring the outstanding performers of the past and present and inspiring the exceptional performers of the future.
Please become a member today!
DVD RELEASES!
Each of these DVDs are on sale for only $24.95 + shipping. They can be ordered via check, money order and the handy-dandy PayPal buttons below. Checks & Postal Money Orders can be made out to ICHOF.
Originally aired in 1977 and 1978 on European television, La Piste des Clowns celebrates some of the world's greatest clowns performing their classic, hilarious routines.
Filmed before a live audience at the Royal Circus in Stockholm, this video features over a dozen headliner clown acts
PLUS Interviews with many of these brilliant comics.
Now you have the rare opportunity to watch, laugh and enjoy these outstanding clowns presented all together on this seldom seen video.
Only 24.95 + shipping
In Spanish and English
Region 0, NTSC
Available only thru the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, THE GREAT CLOWNS OF VAUDEVILLE features an eclectic selection of incredibly rare footage of classic vaudeville comedy & variety acts.
From the slapstick knockabout of Willie, West & McGinty, to the clowinsh insanity of the Gentlemaniacs to the abstract tomfoolery of Chaz Chase this DVD presents some of the greatest baggy pants, slapshoe wearing, prattfalling clowns ever to play the Palace.
Only 24.95 + shipping
Region 0, NTSC
FEATURING:
• Chaz Chase
• Herb Williams
• Jimmy Conlin & Myrtle Glass
• The Foy Family
• Val & Ernie Stanton
• O'Donnell & Blair
• Willie, West & McGinty
• W.C. Fields
• Jack Pepper and his "Society Pets"
• Wilbur Hall
• Runaway Four
• Laurel & Hardy
• The Gentlemaniacs
• Ted Healy with Howard, Fine & Howard
• Shaw & Lee
• Johnny Puleo & The Harmonica Gang
• Milton Berle
• George Carl
The 25th Annual CIRCUS RING OF FAME INDUCTIONS
Enjoy this video program highlighting the 25th anniversary induction ceremony of the Sarasota Circus Ring of Fame at St. Armands Circle, January 2012.
See all the speeches and fanfare leading up to unveiling the plaques for the honorees: circus impresario and swaypole performer, Joseph Bauer; director of The Greatest Show on Earth—the most spectacular circus movie ever made, Cecil B. DeMille; everyone's favorite clown and Clown Hall of Fame inductee, Barry "Grandma" Lubin; and thrill act producer, Hans Winn.
Only 24.95 + shipping
Region 0, NTSC
100% of the proceeds of these DVDs benefit the outreach programs and display developments of the ICHOF. The ICHOF is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
