Henry Vilas Zoo
Encyclopedia
Henry Vilas Zoo is a 50 acres (20.2 ha) public zoo
in Madison, Wisconsin
, United States
.
The Henry Vilas Zoo receives over 500,000 visitors annually. It charges no admission or parking fees, and is one of a few free zoos in the world accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA). It is one of the few AZA
zoos that has always been admission free due to the wishes of the Vilas family.
under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground". The park was named in honor of the Vilas's son, Henry, who died at a young age from complications related to diabetes. The family stipulated that the park always be admission free.
By 1911, 28 acres (11.3 ha) of the park were partitioned into an animal exhibit, marking the creation of the zoo. The Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was founded in 1914, and in 1926 became the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
In anticipation of the hundredth anniversary of the zoo, the Society has commenced its 'Zoo Century' campaign to support a $27 million redevelopment of the zoo over the next 10 years. Almost $8 million in private gifts and commitments have already been secured, and Dane County
and the City of Madison have committed $5 million to the first phase of the major redevelopments. The renovations resulting from the campaign are designed to ensure that the zoo is able to provide the best possible animal exhibits and animal care as it moves into its second century.
On September 23, 2006, the zoo hosted the first annual Zoo Run Run, with over 1,000 registrants for a 5K-10K run/walk. The races started and finished in the zoo, and used portions of the adjacent arboretum
.
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Henry Vilas Zoo receives over 500,000 visitors annually. It charges no admission or parking fees, and is one of a few free zoos in the world accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
(AZA). It is one of the few AZA
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
zoos that has always been admission free due to the wishes of the Vilas family.
History
In 1904 the city received 50 acres (20.2 ha) of land from William and Anna VilasWilliam Freeman Vilas
William Freeman Vilas was a member of the Democratic Party who served in the United States Senate for the state of Wisconsin from 1891 to 1897. He was a prominent Bourbon Democrat....
under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground". The park was named in honor of the Vilas's son, Henry, who died at a young age from complications related to diabetes. The family stipulated that the park always be admission free.
By 1911, 28 acres (11.3 ha) of the park were partitioned into an animal exhibit, marking the creation of the zoo. The Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was founded in 1914, and in 1926 became the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the society was incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
In anticipation of the hundredth anniversary of the zoo, the Society has commenced its 'Zoo Century' campaign to support a $27 million redevelopment of the zoo over the next 10 years. Almost $8 million in private gifts and commitments have already been secured, and Dane County
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
and the City of Madison have committed $5 million to the first phase of the major redevelopments. The renovations resulting from the campaign are designed to ensure that the zoo is able to provide the best possible animal exhibits and animal care as it moves into its second century.
On September 23, 2006, the zoo hosted the first annual Zoo Run Run, with over 1,000 registrants for a 5K-10K run/walk. The races started and finished in the zoo, and used portions of the adjacent arboretum
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
.