On
June 30, 1904, Col. William F. and Anna M. Vilas gave a large tract of
land to the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association "for the
uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground." From 1905
through 1910, the Vilas family donated an additional $42,000 for improvements,
and public donations of $10,000 were raised for the enlargement and improvement
of the park. The park was named in memory of the Vilas' son, Henry, who
died at a young age due to complications from diabetes. In 1911, the first
animal exhibits were created, representing the start of the Henry Vilas
Zoo.
In
what has proved to be a defining and truly visionary move, the Vilas Family
stipulated that the park always be admission free. As the zoo developed
within the park, it too remained free. Today it's an extraordinary asset
that few communities our size can claim. Indeed, our zoo is one of only
10 accredited zoos nationwide that are free to the public.
In 1983, after studies and community input, it was decided the zoo would be better served through county control. The zoo (approximately 28 acres) was "separated" from the city-owned park (about 50 acres), and a County Zoo Commission was formed. Dane County now owns and operates the zoo, contributing 80 percent of the operating funds while the City of Madison contributes 20 percent.
The
Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was organized in 1914, shortly
after the zoo was founded. In 1926, the Society was reorganized as the
Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the
society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. The society's purpose
is to build community support and provide funding for zoo improvements.
This includes the acquisition, conservation, and replacement of animals;
refurbishing and creating new exhibits; supporting educational programs;
and improving the overall educational and recreational value of the zoo.
The society does not contribute to the zoo's operating budget.
The society has been instrumental in providing funding for many zoo improvements, generally in partnership with the county and city.
In
recent years, lots of exciting exhibits have popped up at the zoo. We
added the Children's Zoo in 1980, and the new penguin exhibit in 1986.
In 1992 the Discovery Center/Herpetarium opened, representing the zoo's
first hands-on educational facility with space for indoor classes. Over
the last six years our ReZOOvenation project created the Discovering Primates
Complex and the Big Cat Complex. The last phases of ReZOOvenation will
provide a Visitor Center in 1999, a Tropical Forest Aviary in 2000, and
a small Mammal Exhibit in 2001.
 |
       |
 |
