Smithsonian National Zoo in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
House Remodeling
National Zoo History
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 17, 2025
1. House Remodeling Marker
Animal enclosures have changed over time, evolving from mere "housing" to more natural and enriching environments. The Zoo's 2013 renovation of the 1937 Elephant House to an Elephant Community Center makes room for indoor socializing and playing for our growing, multi-generational elephant herd.
The Elephant Community Center (ECC) is a renovated and expanded Elephant House. Skylights open for fresh air, four feet of sand cushions the flooring, and a wading pool has an elephant-operated shower.
Captions
In 1903, this brick building, the original Elephant House, replaced a temporary wooden shed for elephants.
The 'Pachyderm House' replaced the old Elephant House in 1937. The yards of this Elephant House featured moated exhibits for the first time.
The space where visitors once stood in the Elephant House has been converted to ample and comfortable room for our elephants and renamed the Elephant Community Center.
Erected by Smithsonian's National Zoological Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.
Location. 38° 55.893′ N, 77° 3.084′ W. Marker is
this page online
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 walking distance of this marker: Elephant Community Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); It's Our 125th Birthday! (within shouting distance of this marker); Feeding Times at the Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Smithsonian's National Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Meet Our Bison (within shouting distance of this marker); Are They Bison or Buffalo? (within shouting distance of this marker); Giant Panda (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. House Remodeling (has been replaced with this marker); Meet Our Bison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 17, 2025
2. House Remodeling Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
