Zoo History
1883 – The New Law
The Delaware State Legislature passed a law forming the Wilmington Board of Park Commissioners.
1886 – Purchase of Potential Zoo Land
Frederick Law Olmstead, the famous landscape architect was hired to find the best spot to place the zoo. He suggested land on both sides of the Brandywine River. Mr. Olmstead planned the park as he planned Central Park in New York City and the Boston Commons in Massachusetts. The land was purchased.
1904 – Idea of a Zoo is Born
Dr. James H. Morgan came to the Board of Park Commissioners with the idea of starting a zoo in Wilmington.
1905 – Wilmington Free Zoological Association
The organization changed its name to the Wilmington Free Zoological Association and the Wilmington Zoo was born.
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1925-28 – New Animal Donations
During these years, the zoo had donations of eleven elk, three buffalo, two eagles, five monkeys, goats, two black bear, ducks, parrots, two raccoons, one groundhog, and three alligators.
1928 – Bear Exhibits and Monkey House
The old bear pit was filled in and three new bear exhibits were built. They still stand today in the Main Zoo, next to the Administration Building. The comfort station (Exotic Animal House) was changed into a monkey house with big wire cages housing mangabees, macaques and squirrel monkeys among others. Lions, tigers and bears! The historic exhibits located in the center of the Zoo once housed lions, tigers and, yes, a bear!
1950 – Children’s Zoo
The Society decides to build a children’s zoo. During the 1950s-70s, the Brandywine Zoo was converted into a children’s zoo, featuring many fairy tale exhibits and characters.
1952 – Start Building
The ground was broken in 1952. The Wilmington Lions Club was a major fundraiser on the project. There were eleven little buildings, each centering on a different Mother Goose character. All of the exhibits were brightly painted and housed farm animals collected each spring from area farmers willing to donate them. This area was located up in the far section of the zoo to where the picnic area is located. In the first year of the Children’s Zoo there were 46,000 visitors. The themed section survived until the late 1970’s in its original fashion.
1963 – Main Zoo Temporarily Closes
The main zoo had fallen into disrepair and was forced to close while the Children’s Zoo remained open.
1971 – New Castle County takes over the Zoo
Hans Rosenberg was hired as “Zoo Supervisor.” He added to the zoo collection, but kept the Monkey House closed to the public even though animals were still housed there.
1979 – Delaware Zoological Society is Founded
Tom Skeldon took Hans Rosenberg’s place and developed the Delaware Zoological Society. During this time the Administration Building with offices and a kitchen were built. The tiger exhibit was built where an old duck pond had been.
1986 – AZA Accreditation
Improvements were made to the zoo and The Brandywine Zoo became accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has maintained the accreditation from 1986 to present. To be accredited, the Brandywine Zoo undergoes a thorough investigation every five years to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety.
2005 – 100 Years
The Brandywine Zoo marked its 100th anniversary.
2014 – Red Pandas!
The Brandywine Zoo welcomes red pandas from another U.S. AZA zoo.
2016 – Goodbye Zhanna
Brandywine Zoo says goodbye to its Amur tiger, Zhanna, who moved to the Bronx Zoo’s Tiger Mountain, per an AZA breeding recommendation.
2020 – Madagascar Exhibit Opens
The Madagascar Habitat reflects the environment of Madagascar, the largest island off the coast of Africa that is home to some of the most unusual wildlife on the planet. This new habitat contains three species of Lemurs, which are endangered species that are endemic to Madagascar. They share their habitat with Radiated Tortoises, one of two endangered species of tortoises found only in Madagascar.
2020 – Present
2022 – Animal Care Center Opens
The Animal Care Center improves our ability to care for our animal collection, including acclimating new animals and providing on-going veterinary care.
