Ricketts Circus

John Bill Ricketts, aka, Breschard, the Circus Rider, by Gilbert Stuart. Courtesy of the National Gallery of the Arts.

Transcription:

John Weber: I'm John Weber and this is your WHYY Philly Phun Phact. There's nothing quite as fun as a day at the circus. And did you know that the very first US Circus took place right here in Philadelphia?

Jim Murphy: John Ricketts, an English equestrian who had established a riding school in Philadelphia, organized a group of horsemen, clowns and other performers. He then built an open air wooden arena that could hold 800 spectators at the corner of 12th and Market Streets.

John Weber: That's tour guide Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.

Jim Murphy: The first performance, which took place on April 3, 1793, included feats of horsemanship, rope dancing, some tumbling and various displays of acrobatics. George Washington attended at least one performance at Ricketts Circus on April 24, 1793.

John Weber: In December 1799, a fire burnt the arena to the ground and a disheartened John Ricketts left Philadelphia and eventually died at sea while returning to England. I'm John Weber and that's your WHYY Philly Phun Phact.