South Elmwood in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Menagerie
Roger Williams Park Zoo Through the Years
1890
Construction begins on the Menagerie, the first major holding area for the Zoo's animal collection, with a budget of $10,000.
1891
The Menagerie opens.
1892
An additional $2,000 is awarded to add holding areas for the growing number of animals.
1905
Many of the building's animals are sold to a private dealer, a common practice at the time. The building is closed and used as a storage facility.
circa 1920
The building is planned to reopen as an aquarium, but instead re-opens to house a variety of bird species, becoming the largest indoor bird house in New England.
circa 1960
The individual outdoor holding areas are removed and replaced with a larger area housing a variety of birds.
1989
The Menagerie undergoes a major structural renovation and becomes home for a cafι and gift shop, eventually becoming the gift shop it is today.
Can you spot
the old windows that allowed the animals to travel back and forth between their indoor and outdoor enclosures?
the old back door?
Erected 2022 by Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 41° 47.233′ N, 71° 25.039′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in South Elmwood. It can be reached from FC Greene Memorial Boulevard south of Hawthorne Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker stands on the ground of Roger Williams Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence RI 02905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sentinel (within shouting distance of this marker); Bald Eagle (within shouting distance of this marker); Golden Eagle
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
