The Victorian Fairground and Menageries

A menagerie is a form of keeping common and exotic animals in captivity that preceded the modern zoo. The term was first used in seventeenth century France in reference to the management of household or domestic stock. Later, it came to be used primarily in reference to aristocratic or royal animal collections. The French-language "Methodical Encyclopaedia" of 1782 defines a menagerie as an "establishment of luxury and curiosity." Later on, the term referred also to travelling animal collections that exhibited wild animals at fairs across Europe and the Americas.

In the Victorian period there was a boom in fairground attractions and menageries. Boxing shows, 'Freak shows', ghost trains and carousels were all part of the magic of the olden day fairground. This occurred at the same time as an increasing interest in the visual arts. The rides, art work and displays of the fair grounds became very ornate as photographed below.