Vivian Wheeler, a bearded lady who worked in sideshows and circuses since childhood, has passed away at age 78.

YouTube video by Circus Historical Society

YouTube video by Peter Anthony Holder

YouTube video by Peter Anthony Holder

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of speaking at the Circus Historical Society convention in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Baraboo, as you may know, is the birthplace of the historic Ringling Bros. Circus.

YouTube video by Peter Anthony Holder

YouTube video by Peter Anthony Holder

Spiritualism enjoyed great popularity around the turn of the century. Not only were the living talking to the dead, but in some cases, they were even marrying them.

Inside one of the world's least documented performance arts

YouTube video by Talking Strange

The circus has always been a place to showcase remarkable and unimaginable skills. Perhaps one of the most unusual stunts performed was achieved in the early 1900s by Alexandre Patty, the man who walk...

Science journalist and author David Baron explores our early fascination with Martians in his new book, "THE MARTIANS: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America"

Looking through my viewfinder at Jellyboy the Clown over the years, I've witnessed firsthand how this performer has carved out his own unmistakable path in the world of sideshow arts. Every frame I've...

Though stylish, Merry Widow Hats, in at least one case, also proved dangerous. Just ask Joseph Lewis, a farmer who lost his eye to one.