Ringling Museum To Stay Open During Romney Visit

Pardon the presidential campaign today while at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

The museum has not announced any closures, partial or otherwise, for today as Gov. Mitt Romney is scheduled to host a grassroots campaign rally from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.

The museum's regular hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The rally is positioned behind the Museum of Art's central courtyard in a tight area overlooking Sarasota Bay, so it won't interfere with crowds trying to look at the art and access other areas of the campus, but you may hear a crowd cheer and music playing while in the museum. 

Couldn't make it in line?

It was unclear Wednesday evening of the complete set up of banners, lights and bleachers, but it might be possible to stand along the perimeter inside the courtyard's terrace area and get a view of the rally.

It's unclear if the museum or the Ca d'Zan mansion has played host or any role in prior presidential campaigns, but the complex has been State of Florida property since 1927 and transferred to the Florida State University system in 2000.

Florida governors also have had a long tradition of selecting art work from the Ringling Museum to be installed at the Florida Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee.

For more information on the museum, visit Ringling.org.