Architectural History of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 1889-1992

Object Details

Subject

Harris, Albert L

Clark, Edward 1822-1902

Emerson, William Ralph 1833-1917

Hornaday, William Temple 1854-1937

Mann, William M. 1886-1960

Olmsted, Frederick Law 1822-1903

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Elephant House

Holt House

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Lion House

Amazonia House

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Construction

Federal Art Project

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Reptile House

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Carnivora House

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Early History

National Zoological Park (U.S.) Buildings

National Zoological Park (U.S.)

Amazonia Exhibit

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Ewing, H., & Ballard, A. (2009). A guide to Smithsonian architecture. Washington: Smithsonian Books.

Summary

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park was founded in 1889, after Smithsonian taxidermist (and Curator of Living Animals) William Temple Hornaday (1854-1937) witnessed the near extinction of the American Bison, causing him to become committed to animal conservation.

The oldest building on the zoo grounds is known as Holt House, and was on the grounds prior to the National Zoo acquiring the land. Holt House is believed to have been built in the early 19th century, and is one of the oldest examples of Neoclassical architecture in Washington, DC.

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, one of the most famous and successful landscape architects of the time. Fellow Massachusetts architect William Ralph Emerson designed many of the early zoo buildings including the rustic Buffalo Barn and the Carnivora House (Lion House).

The early buildings evoked the natural surroundings, utilizing local materials such as wood and Rock Creek gray gneiss stone. The buildings were simple stone or log cabin style.

Between 1925 and 1956, under the direction of William M. Mann (1886-1960), the National Zoo acquired thousands of new animals, requiring many new buildings. It was during this time that most of the buildings that survive today were built. Buildings erected during this time were designed by the Municipal Architect of Washington. Buildings of this time per iod were also constructed utilizing local materials, but were adorned with sculptures and animal imagery, both inside and out. Many of the buildings and the art displayed were funded under the New Deal programs including the federal Works Progress Administration.

The 1931 Reptile House was designed in Byzanto-Romanesque style, and features semi-circular arches and a symmetrical rectangular design. The 1992 Amazonian Building features architecture meant to mimic that natural ecosystem of a tropical rain forest. Like the Amazonia Building, most of the buildings at the National Zoo do not fit in to particular architectural styles.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

1889-1992

Smithsonian Archives - History Div

Topic

Landscape architecture

New Deal, 1933-1939

Architecture, Romanesque

Architecture--Washington (D.C.)

Architecture, Neoclassical

Zoos

Record ID

siris_sic_14434

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