National Fairground and Circus Archive
The National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) embodies the history of popular entertainment from the seventeenth century onwards. It covers every aspect of travelling entertainment culture and contextualises its evolution, cross-cultural impact, and global spread and influence. It covers every aspect of the fair, circus and allied entertainments, and the culture, business and life of travelling show people under the unified identity of leisure history, the evolution of showmanship and travelling show people as a defined community.
The NFCA holds a vast collection of records on fairground, circus, variety and music hall, magic, sideshows, boxing booths, traveling cinematograph shows, pleasure and zoological gardens, amusement and theme parks, menageries, performing animals, optical illusion, traveling exhibitions, seaside entertainment and world’s fairs and expositions. Also in its collection can be found a large library containing books and journals covering all relevant and associated topics.
0114 222 7299
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN

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