Zoo History Books

Zoo History Books
24-05-2008

I'm sure that many of you are like me and own a number of terrific zoo books from around the world, but for those who enjoy beautiful zoo history photos then these set of books are for you! I own two of this series: "New York City Zoos and Aquarium" by Joan Scheier (which is the only one that I couldn't find on Amazon), and "The Central Park Zoo" by the same author. They are 128 pages in length, and cost me $14.45 Canadian when I ordered them last year. I just found out that Amazon has in stock another 3 books in the series, and I have subsequently ordered those as well.

Each book features nothing but black-and-white photos (no colour whatsoever) but each photo comes with a paragraph write-up beside it. Some of the shots are startling, as there are photos of barren, concrete, barred big cat exhibits that are smaller than anyone could imagine. Gorillas are behind iron bars, sitting on concrete, in the tiniest little cages. It's pleasing that the zoos of the world have come such a long way from the many cramped cages that used to make up the bulk of all zoos. The shots of the Bronx Zoo are almost embarrassing nowadays, with many animals living boring lives in mindless environments.

Anyone intrigued by zoo history should order at least one of these books.

The Central Park Zoo:



The Knoxville Zoo:



Oak Park and the Montgomery Zoo:



Oklahoma City Zoo (1902-1959):

25-05-2008

The following US zoos/aquariums have published a history book in recent years:

Parrot Jungle
Disney's Animal Kingdom (the making of)
Georgia Aquarium (making of???)
Zoo Atlanta
Philadelphia Zoo
Pittsburgh Zoo
Bronx Zoo
Staten Island Zoo
Beardsley Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo (being written)
Cincinnati Zoo
Toledo Zoo
Akron Zoo
Detroit Zoo
Brookfield Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL)
Shedd Aquarium
Saint Louis Zoo
Denver Zoo
Steinhart Aquarium
Marineland of the Pacific

25-05-2008

@okapikpr: how many of the books that you mentioned do you own? Can you recommend some great ones? I bought the Calgary Zoo's history book from their gift shop in 2006, and it is a large hardcover that is the best zoo book that I own. There are a number of others that I have, but none on your list.

Here are some examples on Amazon:


The Philadelphia Zoo.


The Lincoln Park Zoo's history book.


The Denver Zoo.


The Toledo Zoo.

26-05-2008

I like history books very much. But I'm only collecting of Dutch zoos. Incidentially I have some foreign books.

Besides books about the history I also have books which are history itselfs. Old books published by the zoos. Mainly of Amsterdam because the Royal Zoological Society published many books about zoology, biology, etc. I try to collect them all altough some of them are very rare and thus very expensive. My oldest zoo book is dated 1842. And the latest book I bought today. About the history of Amersfoort Zoo.

26-05-2008

@snowleopard: I own all the ones that both of us listed except Montgomery, Akron, Beardsley, Georgia Aquarium, Steinhart Aquarium, Detroit (I have an older one though), Franklin Park, and St Louis. I also have several general zoo books that contain a lot of overall zoo history including Vernon Kisling's book.

London Zoo
28-05-2008

For those of you interested in the pictorial history of London Zoo, this one is a must.....

Google Image Result for http://static.zsl.org/images/width290/london-zoo-old-photos-686.jpg

31-05-2008

In a more general vein, my favorite book on zoo history is Vernon Kisling's "Zoo and Aquarium History, Ancient Animal Collections to Zoological Gardens"

(Well, besides my 1851 copy of "Le Jardin des Plantes" and the 1899 "Wild Animals in Captivity" by A. D. Bartlett!)

And it's worth reminding folks of the Bartlett Society (see http://www.zoobeat.com/32/bartlett-society-8298/)

02-06-2008

For those who can read Dutch:

A splendid book which takes you on a tour through Amsterdam Zoo "Artis" in 1888

(the white on this scan is actual gold leaf. A beautiful binding)


Today I bought the very rare Dutch edition of "Le Jardin des Plantes": "De Diergaarde te Parijs" (Amsterdam, 1845). With many beautiful handcolored prints.

(This is a bad photo, no scan to avoid damaging of the book. The colors of the original are much better)

22-04-2009

Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI also has a recently published history book...

Little Zoo by the Red Cedar - Kevin Hile

22-04-2009

I've always loved old fashioned illustrations, especially of animals I'll have to look and see if the antique bookshop I go to has any on zoos.

22-04-2009

Try this: AddALL Used and Out of Print book search

22-04-2009

I'm surprised no ones mentioned "A World of Animals" about the San Diego Zoo/WAP. I found this and the SDZ guide book in a local used book store. Both great books. "A World of Animals" for those who don't know it, discusses history, animals, exhibits, research, vet care, etc. I saw this book briefly in a library when I was a kid and had been looking for it ever since.

In Dallas we have a booklet that discusses the history of our zoo. Its not published, just available to employees and probably volunteers. Fascinating for zoo fanatics but not something for the general public. Actually can be quite depressing at times.

23-04-2009

What about new history Books of Brookfield ( 75 years anniversary ) and Philadelphia ( 150 years anniversary )?

The Steinhardt Aquarium book is still available at the California Acedemy of Science online store, does anybody can tell me if that book is good, so with maps and historical pictures ?

23-04-2009

We had some anniversaries last years in The Netherlands with of course some books:

Apen en beren op de Drentse hei, by Bauke Boersma & Auke Zeldenrust. 70 years Emmen Zoo (1935 - 2005).

Alles draait om dieren, by Ouwehands' Dierenpark. 75 years Ouwehands' Zoo (1932 - 2007)

Iets grootsch & buitengewoons, by Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde Blijdorp. 150 years Rotterdam Zoo (1857 - 2007)

A special edition of Maki!, the magazine of Amersfoort Zoo, called "Zestig jaar Dierenpark Amersfoort", 60 years Amersfoort Zoo (1948 - 2008)

Burgers' Zoo, by Burgers' Zoo. 85 years Burgers' Zoo (1913 - 1998)

And also:

Tilburgs Dierenpark, by Nicole van Dijk. The history of the former zoo of the city of Tilburg (1932 - 1973)

All books only in Dutch I'm afraid but I will mention it here because they are all beautiful books full of the history of some Dutch zoos.

Another very good book is in Danish: Zoo - en historie om dyr og mennesker gennem 125 ar, by Bent Jorgensen. 125 years Copenhagen Zoo (1859 - 1984)

23-04-2009

Copenhagen celebrates its 150 years anniversary this year, but the history book will be pulished next year.