The American Midway Archives
An Invitation To Contribute Your Story
An Invitation
The history of the American Midway has never belonged to one person.
It belongs to everyone who lived it, built it, traveled it, preserved it, and remembers it.
The American Midway Archives continues a philosophy that David “Doc” Rivera often shared with fellow showmen:
“It’s your museum.”
Today, we extend that same invitation.
This is your history.
Whether your family owned a carnival, traveled with a show, built rides, painted banners, worked concessions, performed on the midway, managed railroad shows, operated attractions, or simply treasured memories of growing up around the carnival, your story matters.
Every photograph.
Every newspaper clipping.
Every route card.
Every program.
Every ticket.
Every letter.
Every memory.
Every correction.
Every forgotten name.
Every family story helps preserve another chapter of the American Midway.
No contribution is too small.
Sometimes one photograph identifies ten people.
Sometimes one newspaper clipping answers a question historians have asked for decades.
Sometimes one memory becomes the missing piece that completes a Living Biography.
History grows one discovery at a time.
Become Part of the Story
The American Midway Archives is a living library.
It will continue to grow because people continue to care.
If you have something to share, we invite you to become part of preserving the American Midway for future generations.
Together, we can ensure these remarkable stories are never forgotten.
This is your history.
Help us preserve it.
What Can You Share?
Do you have:
- Family photographs
- Carnival route books
- Billboard magazines
- Posters
- Tickets
- Programs
- Letters
- Oral histories
- Home movies
- Scrapbooks
- Business records
- Ride photographs
- Concession photographs
- Banner art
- Carnival equipment
- Museum artifacts
- Family stories
- Newspaper clippings
- Obituaries
Continue Exploring
The American Midway Archives is organized as a living library.
Continue your journey:
- The American Midway – Discover how the American Midway began and evolved.
- Showmen – Meet the men and women who built the industry.
- Carnival Companies – Explore the history of traveling shows across America.
- Collections – Browse photographs, artifacts, and historical treasures.
- Research Library – Access articles, timelines, and historical resources.
- About – Find out more about The Legacy Project for The American Midway.
