Monday, Jul. 13, 2009

Kansas

Photo credit: Krubner / ClassicStock/ Corbis

The National Center for Carnival Heritage aims to immerse visitors so thoroughly in carnie culture that you can practically feel the beard on the woman. In the early 20th century, some 300 shows crisscrossed the U.S., entertaining a gawking audience with acrobats, human cannonballs, exotic animals, rides and freaks. The museum in Kinsley is the only one in the U.S. dedicated to this mostly vanished piece of history. Inside, you'll find painted canvas broadsides from the 1940s used to advertise shows, period games of chance, photographs and a restored 1900 carousel. Admission: $2