Harry A. Atwell, Circus Photographer

Forty-two black-and-white photographs by Harry A. Atwell (1879–1957) survey his significant career photographing the golden age of America’s tented shows. Atwell’s images of roustabouts, Big Top crowds, sideshow performers and center-ring stars capture “Circus Day,” when shops, schools and factories shut their doors so that all could enjoy the fleeting pageantry of the traveling shows.