During our tour of libraries in York County, SC this past week, we were reminded about the invaluable role that libraries play in preserving a community’s history and identity. Driving into Clover, we passed an old decaying mill building. When I asked one of the library staff about it, she was able to tell me some of the history of the mill and it’s role in the town. She then referred me to several books in the reference section with photographs showing the mill in it’s heyday.

When we arrived at the next library, I went to the reference section while Paul was setting up for his show. I was surprised to learn that the community we were in – York, SC – had been the winter home of the Barnett Family Circus. There were pictures of the community’s Christmas Parade with Santa riding down the street on an elephant! The circus spending winters here inspired a York based family of brothers to start another circus – the Bennett Family Circus. The librarian told us that after the circus closed, many of the members decided to live and work in York because it had become their home. She was able to direct us to the buildings in which the elephants were kept and the building picutred here which housed the circus members. It was an honor for Paul to perform in a community so rich in the circus arts!

As you travel this summer, be sure to visit the local library to gain an insider’s perspective on what makes that place unique. To see pictures from the performances, visit the Flow Circus Photo Gallery.