Mysteries at the Monument Season 1 Episode 11 First Circus Elephant

In the eleventh episode of Mysteries at the Monument season 1, entitled First Circus Elephant, viewers are taken on a journey to explore an iconic American landmark that is steeped in mystery and history. The episode sheds light on the origin of circus elephants in the United States and how it transpired to pave the way for the age-old American tradition of circus shows.

The episode starts by taking us to Somers, New York, where there is a vast elephant cemetery that is a testament to the contribution that elephants made to the American circus industry. The show's host, Don Wildman, reveals how back in the 1800s, it was unheard of to see an elephant in the United States, let alone in a circus. The episode takes us back in time to investigate how the first circus elephant in America found her way to the United States and what impact it had on the country's entertainment industry.

The episode does a great job of unraveling the historical and cultural significance of elephants in America. The audience learns that back in 1796, Captain Jacob Crowninshield bought an elephant in Calcutta, India, and took her to the United States as a gift to President George Washington, where she was renamed America. However, it was in 1797 when the first elephant appeared in a circus in the United States. Adam Forepaugh, the circus owner, introduced his first elephant named Haddie to crowds in 1880.

The show takes us to New York City, where the first circus tent was set up. We get a glimpse of the grand spectacle that was the first American circus. From the parade of animals to the acrobats and clowns, the episode gives a detailed account of how the circus was unlike anything the American audience had ever seen before. The circus was part entertainment, part marvel of the exotic, and part spectacle of the bizarre.

Through this episode, we learn about the circus industry's evolution, how it became an enormous and sprawling economic empire, and how it used the fascination that people had with elephants to become the most popular form of entertainment in the United States. However, as the circus evolved, so did the mistreatment that the elephants going through. The show explores how animal welfare activists campaigned for the well-being of the animals while acknowledging that these creatures played a significant role in shaping America's history and culture.

The episode is packed with facts and trivia that anyone would find interesting. It discusses a wide range of topics such as the history of the circus, the evolution of animal rights activism, and how elephants became a symbol of American culture. However, the show's best part is how it blends the past and present to shed some light on a fascinating aspect of American history and culture.

In conclusion, First Circus Elephant is an engrossing and educational episode of Mysteries at the Monument that explores the historical and cultural significance of circus elephants in the United States. The show is engaging, informative, and well-paced and takes viewers on a journey from the early days of the circus to the present-day animal welfare movement. The episode's expert research, combined with Don Wildman's storytelling, makes for a compelling program that history buffs and anyone curious about the past would find fascinating.