Digital Collections 

Showmen's Museum Photograph Collection
International Independent Showmen's Association
Terms of Use: Copyright Notice and Disclaimer

Scroll down to search/browse the collection

Images from the International Independent Showmen's Museum Photographic Collection portrays the life and times of the ever-changing American carnival from the late 1800s to the modern day. Featured in the collection are many photographs related to the means of transporting carnival equipment and personnel, i.e. railroads, trucks, semi-trailers, etc. There are carnival rides, game concessions, shows, and show fronts. Many carnivals were family owned and operated, and there are several of those prominent families from the business depicted.

The collection of photos, as well as many artifacts from carnival history, are housed at the International Independent Showmen's Association property, 6915 Riverview Drive, Riverview, Florida until the new museum of the American Carnival building is completed. This historic photography collection has been digitized and made available to the public through the generosity of many of the International Independent Showmen's Association's individual members, contributing both finances and labor. Also of great help was generous support through a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center.

There are currently over 300 images in the digital collection. New images will be added as they are cataloged.

Showmen's Oral History Project

Loading Video/Audio Clip...

The International Independent Showmen's Museum provides access to these materials for noncommercial, educational, and research purposes. Copyright has not been assigned to the University of South Florida Libraries. The permission of the copyright holder, owner, and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions.

For research and study purposes or more information about the American carnival contact:

    International Independent Showmen's Museum
    PO Box 189
    Gibsonton, Fl 33534

Disclaimer
Responsibility for making an independent assessment of an item and securing any necessary permission ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item.