EPISODE · Oct 10, 2025 · 48 MIN
FREAK SHOWS: The Real People Behind the Spectacle
from History and Hearsay · host Christina
In today's episode of History and Hearsay, we are discussing the History of Circus Freak Shows! ►Sources:https://www.britannica.com/art/circus-theatrical-entertainment/20th-century-developments https://childrenstheatre.org/2024/01/17/the-early-history-of-traveling-entertainment-in-the-u-s/https://www.aaastateofplay.com/circus-history/#:~:text=Many traveling circuses in the,and the downfall of sideshowshttps://lynchburgmuseum.org/sideshowshttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Elephant-Man https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Stratton Books about the McCoy Twins: Biography History and Medical Description of the Two-Headed Girl (1869) was sold during their public appearances. Millie-Christine: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (2000)https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/millie-and-christine-mccoy-1851-1912-african-american-conjoined-twin-performers/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/lobster-boy https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2023/12/11/millie-christine-mckoy-d-74 https://scalar.usc.edu/works/circus-route-books-project/annie-jones https://www.britannica.com/art/freak-show https://allthatsinteresting.com/annie-jones-bearded-lady https://allthatsinteresting.com/joseph-merrick https://www.k180.org/faith--film-blog/my-life-is-full-because-i-know-i-am-loved-the-elephant-man-1980 https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/julia-pastrana-a-monster-to-the-whole-world/ Additional sources linked: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnum's_American_Museum Support the show
What this episode covers
In today's episode of History and Hearsay, we are discussing the History of Circus Freak Shows! ►Sources:https://www.britannica.com/art/circus-theatrical-entertainment/20th-century-developments https://childrenstheatre.org/2024/01/17/the-early-history-of-traveling-entertainment-in-the-u-s/https://www.aaastateofplay.com/circus-history/#:~:text=Many traveling circuses in the,and the downfall of sideshowshttps://lynchburgmuseum.org/sideshowshttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Elephant-Man https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Stratton Books about the McCoy Twins: Biography History and Medical Description of the Two-Headed Girl (1869) was sold during their public appearances. Millie-Christine: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (2000)https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/millie-and-christine-mccoy-1851-1912-african-american-conjoined-twin-performers/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/lobster-boy https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2023/12/11/millie-christine-mckoy-d-74 https://scalar.usc.edu/works/circus-route-books-project/annie-jones https://www.britannica.com/art/freak-show https://allthatsinteresting.com/annie-jones-bearded-lady https://allthatsinteresting.com/joseph-merrick https://www.k180.org/faith--film-blog/my-life-is-full-because-i-know-i-am-loved-the-elephant-man-1980 https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/julia-pastrana-a-monster-to-the-whole-world/ Additional sources linked: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnum's_American_Museum Support the show
NOW PLAYING
FREAK SHOWS: The Real People Behind the Spectacle
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Dec 5, 2025 ·50m
Oct 9, 2025 ·33m
Oct 3, 2025 ·40m
Sep 11, 2025 ·31m
Aug 27, 2025 ·39m
Aug 18, 2025 ·54m