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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 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.
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.
My! Aren't those men dressed awfully?
This photo was found in the scrapbook of former University of Michigan student, Stowell Stebbins. The image was inscribed "PSI U. - DKE - "Peerade" Feature - Hobo Zobo Band" and "My! Aren't those men dressed awfully." Young boys watch from the sideline as men dressed as "hobos" walk down the unpaved street with marching band instruments. Some of these white men showcase fake stubble, while others appear to be painted in blackface. Horses, carriages, clowns, and knights are also part of the procession.