Smithsonian National Zoo in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Art in the Park

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 22, 2021

1. Art in the Park Marker

Inscription.
There is a long tradition of public art at the Zoo. Check out the roof of Think Tank to see bear and fox cub finials (1) installed in 1907. Works Progress Administration (WPA) from the 1930s includes five stone and bronze medallions on the Elephant House floor (2) and a bronze anteater at the Small Mammal House (3).

As you explore our living collections, look for sculptures of frogs, tumbling bears, a bald eagle, and more scattered throughout the Zoo. Take a moment to appreciate these interpretations of animals.

Erected by Smithsonian Institution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 38° 55.75′ N, 77° 2.817′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Smithsonian National Zoo. It can be reached from Olmsted Walk 0.2 miles east of North Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker: The Gathering (here, next to this marker); What's the O-Line? (a few steps from this marker); Forests Without Food? (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Maned Wolf / Przewalski's Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Scientists on the "Hunt" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ostrich / Domestic Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Black-footed Ferret / Giraffe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 1, 2024

2. Art in the Park Marker

A Stone and Bronze Medallion at the Elephant House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 1, 2024

3. A Stone and Bronze Medallion at the Elephant House

A Fox Cub Finial at the Think Tank image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 1, 2024

4. A Fox Cub Finial at the Think Tank

Tumbling Bears Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 1, 2024

5. Tumbling Bears Sculpture

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.