History of the ICHOF
The International Clown Hall of Fame (ICHOF) concept came to life in February of 1987 with the opening of an office and museum in downtown Delavan. Visitors began coming to see this clown museum. In fact, between 2,500 and 3,000 visitors stopped at the Clown Hall in 1987. Each year attendance has increased with visitors from all over the world. It is a “living" museum, performance hall and research center. It was designed to spotlight the art and history of clowning as well as being a bridge from our past to our future. It also became the first and only museum devoted solely to the art of clowning in the world.
The induction process was developed in 1988, following the affiliation of four major clown organizations with the museum. The affiliated clown organizations were given the role of selecting the first nominees. Balloting by the members of the ICHOF resulted in the election of Red Skelton, Lou Jacobs, Emmett Kelly, Sr., Mark Anthony, Felix Adler, and Otto Griebling. The first inductees were enshrined April 23, 1989. The occasion was marked by a weekend of activities for the public, which garnered significant national media attention. Since then, 61 additional clowns have been inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. In addition to living and historical American clowns, the ensemble has included clowns from Europe, South America and Africa. In addition to induction, the International Clown Hall of fame annually bestows a "Lifetime of Laughter Achievement Award."
Programming at the center has included "Clown Encounters" in which the general public has an opportunity to try on the art form; National Clown Week events; and "Lock-in" seminars, which teach the art of clowning to teens involved with the education of drug and alcohol abuse. Successful outreach programs have been developed to reach a far greater audience. "Clowns for Children's Hospital" provides weekly visits by performers for the patients, family and staff in the hospital. The ICHOF's work is sponsored by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. We are working to reinstate the, "Self Enhancement through Laughter and Fun" which is an innovative new humor/psycho therapy program designed to reach at risk teens in the Milwaukee area. Contemporary issues such as anger management, anti-violence, grief and depression and substance abuse are a few of the sensitive issues faced during group sessions. Through other grants, Long-Term Laughter Care provides humor therapy to patients in skilled nursing and palliative care units of a hospital will be addressed.
Other important elements of the organization have included co-sponsorship of an International Clown Summit in Dalkeith, Scotland and coordination of the 1993 World Clown Congress in Sweden. Among others, research assistance has been provided to the Saitama University in Japan, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Sloan Museum in Michigan. The ICHOF director was also an invited guest lecturer at the Moscow State College for Circus and Variety Arts in 1994. This was the first such invitation extended to a citizen of the United States in the school's history.
The International Clown Hall of Fame made a monumental change in its history in 1997. Through the efforts of civic and community leaders, the museum was relocated to downtown Milwaukee. Negotiations are taking place to acquire a permanent home in Milwaukee while the museum is operating a "Preview Center" in a temporary home at the State Fair Park in the Tommy Thompson Center.
The history of the International Clown Hall of Fame continues to be marked by a partnership of many people with the museum's board. More than ever, the trademark of the museum and research center is that of a repository and place that is keeping the art of clowning alive for children of all ages who come from all over the world.
In 2003, the International Clown Hall of Fame relocated to State Fair Park, Tommy Thompson Center, in West Allis WI. The relocation was negotiated with possible permanent placement in West Allis WI.
