The London Zoo, managed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), has been a beloved institution for nearly two centuries. Founded in 1828, the zoo was initially intended to be a collection of animals for scientific study. However, it quickly became a popular tourist destination. By the mid-19th century, it was known as “The most Comprehensive Assemblage of Animated Nature in the whole Kingdom.”
A valuable historical document, the Zoological Society Garden in Regent’s Park map of 1947 is a reminder of the zoo’s long history of housing and caring for animals, as well as its important role in educating the public about the natural world.
The zoo is situated at the northern edge of Regent’s Park, on the boundary line between the City of Westminster and the borough of Camden. The map shows the layout at the time, including the many different animal enclosures, as well as some of its more popular landmarks.
One of the more interesting features is the labelling of some of the animals with their dates of arrival. This allows us to see how the zoo’s collection has changed over time. The first giraffe arrived at the zoo in 1827, just a year before the zoo opened to the public. The zoo’s very first African elephant, the famous Jumbo, arrived in 1865. The map mentions the “wonderful old Pelican,” which had lived at the zoo since 1900.
In addition to the animals, notable buildings and landmarks are highlighted. These include the Mappin Terraces, which were named after J. Newton Mappin, who donated £20,000 for their construction in 1913. It also shows Regent’s Canal which runs along the eastern edge of the zoo. The canal was built in the early 19th century and was originally used to transport goods.
Today, London Zoo remains a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.
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