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History

Timeline of the Henry Vilas Zoo

Take a look through the history of Madison’s favorite zoo.

START

2016
Wisconsin Heritage Exhibit Opens
Wisconsin Heritage Exhibit

The Wisconsin Heritage Exhibit, highlighting Wisconsin’s mining history and the story of Bucky Badger, opens in October. The new exhibit features American badgers and sandhill cranes.

2015
Arctic Passage Opens
Arctic Passage Exhibit

Construction is completed on Arctic Passage, the largest renovation in the zoo’s history. The new exhibit complex includes many exciting features, including special conservation and sustainability components, the zoo’s first indoor restaurant (The Glacier Grille), and large, state-of-the-art exhibits for the zoo’s polar bears, grizzly bears, and harbor seals.

2013
Animal Health Center Opens
The Animal Health Center

The Animal Health Center, the zoo’s state-of-the-art veterinary medical facility, opens in the spring.

2011
Children’s Zoo “Red Barn”
Children's Zoo "Red Barn"

The Children’s Zoo “Red Barn” is completed. This sustainably-designed building houses top quality habitats with minimal environmental impact. It also provides wonderful educational opportunities.

2008
Flamingos & Train
Flamingo

A year-round flamingo exhibit opens. The Children’s Zoo Train begins to offer rides.

2007
New Children’s Zoo Exhibits
red panda

The Children’s Zoo animal exhibits are completed and feature a red panda, wallaby, porcupine, meerkats, and white-handed gibbons.

2006
North American Prairie Exhibit
North American Prairie Exhibit

The North American Prairie exhibit opens, bringing bison, prairie dogs, and a badger to the zoo. The Conservation Carousel begins offering rides.

2003
Tropical Rainforest Aviary
Tropical Rainforest Aviary

The zoo opens its new $4.2 million Tropical Rainforest Aviary and completes a concept plan for the $27 million Zoo Century capital campaign.

2000
New Visitors Center
Anna Vilas Hall

A new visitors center (now called Anna Vilas Hall) opens after a $1.25 million renovation of the former aviary. The center houses a permanent zoo history exhibit and the zoos’ seasonal exhibits.

1997
New Big Cat Complex

The new big cat complex for Amur tigers and African lions is completed, along with a renovation of the visitor services buildings near the zoo’s main entrance.

1995
A New Primate House
New Primate House

A new primate house opens for the zoo’s orangutans, colobus monkeys, and gibbons.

1993
Discovery Center and Herpetarium Opens
Discovery Center Herpetarium

The Discovery Center and Herpetarium, home to slithery reptiles and amphibians, opens.

1988
New Polar Bear Cubs
Polar Bear cubs Nanuq and Norton

Two orphaned polar bear cubs, Nanuq and Norton, are brought to the zoo from Alaska.

1986
Penguin Exhibit
Penguin Exhibit 1986

The new penguin exhibit opens.

1983
County is New Owners

Ownership of the zoo is transferred from the City of Madison to Dane County, a process that takes a decade to complete.

1979
Seal Exhibit
Seal Island

The zoo opens its seal exhibit.

1977
Otter Exhibit

The zoo opens its otter exhibit.

1973
Remodel of Big Cats Home
Remodeled big cat house

The zoo unveils a remodeled home for its big cats, replacing the original 1917 lion house.

1972
Children’s Zoo Opens
Girl feeding goat in children's zoo

The Children’s Zoo opens, allowing kids to get up close and personal with a sea lion, baby elephant, fawns, bear cubs, toucans and other animals.

1968
New Young Pair of Giraffes
News article about giraffe story

The zoo spends a record $10,000 to bring in a young pair of giraffes.

1952
New Bears

Two new grizzly bears and a polar bear bring the zoo’s bear menagerie to 22.

1950
Arabian Camel Born

A female named Al Malaikah becomes the first Arabian camel (dromedary) born at the zoo.

1937
Madison is new Owners

The City of Madison assumes ownership of the zoo, Vilas Park, and other parks from the Madison Park & Pleasure Drive Association.

1929
First Primate House
First primate house

The zoo’s first primate house is built.

1917
First Lion House
First Lion House in 1917

The zoo’s first lion house is built.

1913
First Bear Exhibit
Center of Henry Vilas Zoo in 1913

The first bear exhibit is built.

1911
Official Opening
Official Opening

The Henry Vilas Zoo officially opens as the first animal exhibits are built.

1904
Land Donated
William F. and Anna M. Vilas

William F. and Anna M. Vilas donate a 63-acre tract of land for Vilas Park, with the stipulation that no admission be charged. It was named in memory of the couple’s son, Henry, who died at a young age five years earlier due to complications from diabetes.