Items

Advanced search

Elephants at "Parade Rest"
Taken from the Kapp scrapbook, this image is inscribed with "Lyndon. 1133" and captioned with sentence "Elephants at 'Parade Rest'". It depicts the Union Circus parade, temporarily paused next to the university campus. White students clad in blackface perform various roles as either elephant trainer or indigenous person. Their costumes depict stereotypes of native peoples and of South Asians. Circus goers watch with interest from the sidelines. The Ann Arbor trolly tracks can be seen along the grass.
The Dragon
The image is inscribed "THE DRAGON". As part of the Union Circus' parade, students constructed a long dragon costume to walk down State Street. The guides, both white men, wear a potentially Asian-inspired outfit and some form of blackface. Though unclear, it's probable these students are mimicking Asian men.
Indian Braves
Three white men, costumed as stereotypical Native Americans, wear thin gowns and feathered headdresses. Additionally, the men are covered in brown makeup to mimic some Indigenous skin tones. The photograph is inscribed "INDIAN BRAVES". It's likely these men are part of the Union Circus' "Michigamua Indians" student group. Importantly, all members of this group were white men.
Jumbo the Elephant
One of several blackface performances in the Union Circus, "Jumbo" the elephant and his guide drew much attention from the watching crowds. In place of real exotic animals, students dressed in animal costumes. The elephant, dubbed "Jumbo" by the inscription, required two students to act as legs. The white man guiding Jumbo wears a turban and blackface. The phrase "All Together Julia-" is inscribed under the second image in the Low scrapbook.
The Circus Comes to Town
Days before the Union Circus' opening event, a delivery of circus material by train was anticipated. Captured by image in the Low scrapbook, crowds wait to collect the equipment at the old Michigan Central Depot before it was decommissioned.
Nuff Said
Despite the inscription "NUFF SAID," there is sizable uncertainty surrounding the activity captured on the image. Two men, one wearing a woman's dress, stand on a stage before a painting of stereotypical Middle Eastern peoples. A sign reading "Oh You Salome" rests near the side show stage. The combination of these elements suggests the performance may be anti-Semitic in nature. The Biblical Salome was a Jewish princess often blamed for the murder of John the Baptist. Several plays and operatic productions about Salome were popular prior to 1909.
The Trained Horses
"THE TRAINED HORSES", as the inscription reads, are two students dressed as both horse and rider. This performers were two of many people costumed as animals in the Union Circus.
The Union Circus "Tiger"
The inscription accompanying this image reads "JENNIE". The name may refer to either the student dressed as a tiger or the tiger character itself. This performer was one of many costumed as an animal in the Union Circus.
A Bunch of Clowns
The popularity of brass bands at the beginning of the 20th century is made evident by this image of musical performers in the Union Circus. The band, clad in clown costumes and police uniforms, holds a variety of instruments, including: trumpets, trombones, and tubas. The group of more than 12 men appears to be waiting for their performance to begin. The inscription below the photograph reads "A Bunch of Clowns"
A Tin Soldier
A student in the Union Circus dubbed "A Tin Soldier" by the inscription under the image, trots through Ann Arbor on his dark horse. He is costumed from head to toe in metal material to appear as a knight. A large plum sticks up from the top of his helmet. Based on the circus' known parade route, the location the image was taken is likely along State Street.
Tessie, Our Pet
In lieu of real exotic animals, students crafted replicas for actors to wear during the parade. A giraffe, named "Tessie" according to the image's description, was a highlight of the event. One image shows the costumed students being driven downtown in a caged wagon, while the other shows the students stationed somewhere, possibly Ferry Field, with another student.
The Trumpeter Clown
Found in the Low scrapbook, this image depicts a member of the Union Circus dressed in clown clothing and face-paint. He stands near other costumed individuals and a caged wagon. Based on the clown's trump, he was likely in the brass band that moved down State Street.