As I'm hoping to visit the Smithsonians National Zoo soon, I was wondering if anyone here had some information on the zoo's historic collection or historic maps that could help me plan a speculative masterplan for the zoo that I've been working on for a while. Thanks!
I'm seeing this like...months after but I figured it's still worth a reply. I found a few images and layouts that could help you out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Students viewing the American Bison, 1899 This was recorded as the first American Bison of the National Zoo. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Adams Mill Road Entrance to the National Zoo, 1910 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Przewalski's Wild Horse, 1910 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ling-Ling (left) and Hsing-Hsing (right), 1985 These pair arrived at the National Zoo in 1972, and were used to study the panda bears. Now, they're replaced by Bei Bei, Tiang Tiang, and Mei Xiang. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ambika and Shanti, a pair of Asian Elephants, 1973 Ambika was the zoos oldest elephant, and was a gift from the children of India, arriving to the zoo in 1973. She was rescued from being a logging elephant when she was around 8 years old. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bison in Castle South Yard, 1880's ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- American Alligatos in the "Animal House" "Alligators in their enclosure in the original Animal House, also known as the Carnivora House, which opened in 1892 and was the first permanent building at the National Zoological Park. The alligators are housed in the "temporary" wooden wing of the structure. They were given more spacious accommodations when the Reptile House was completed in 1931." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elephant House, 1903 "Photograph of the brick Elephant House designed by Hornblower and Marshall for the National Zoological Park. Construction on the building began in September of 1902 and was completed in January of 1903. According to the Annual Report, the elephants were moved into the house on March 12, 1903. A hastily erected shed called the Octagonal Barn had been used by the elephants, some of the first animals at the Zoo. In 1891 the Adams-Forepaugh Shows, a locally based circus that wintered its animals at the Zoo, gave two elephants, Dunk and Gold Dust, who were ceremoniously led up Connecticut Avenue to their quarters. The Barn was used until 1903 when the animals were afforded more permanent accommodations. Secretary Samuel P. Langley (1887-1906) had earlier solicited designs from numerous architects for an elephant house but none were satisfactory. In 1936 Works Progress Administration funds provided for the first moated exhibit, the current Pachyderm House." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Golden Eagle & Bald Eagle Aviary, 1903 "Soon after the completion of the Flying Cage at the Bird House at the National Zoological Park in 1902, a visitor stands outside the cage to see the Golden and Bald Eagles." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mann Lion & Tiger Exhibit, 1976 "The new home for lions and tigers at the National Zoological Park in the Dr. William M. Mann Lion and Tiger Exhibit opened in May of 1976. The natural setting exhibit is 3-acres in size and is surrounded by a moat." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monkey Island, 1986 "This 1986 photograph of Monkey Island illustrates the current trend of zoo animal exhibitry. Monkey Island is home to several species of animals including Barbary macaque monkeys, Oriental short-clawed otters and several types of fish. Multi-species enclosures give the animals a more natural setting and allow the zoo visitor to see how different animals co-exist in the same habitat." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keeper Greeting a Bison, with a Sandhill Crane, 1987 "In a snow-covered enclosure, National Zoological Park keeper Morna Holden greets a bison as she puts out food for a sandhill crane." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elephants, 1988 "Nancy, the National Zoological Park's (NZP) African elephant, introduces herself to Shanthi and Ambika, NZP's Asian elephants, while Collection Manager John Lehnhardt (lower l.) and keepers Kathy Wallace and Marie Galloway eavesdrop. Ambika responds by permitting Nancy to touch her trunk." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's like dozens more photos, all you have to do is google "National Zoo vintage" and just scroll. Hope this still helps though!
