2008-2009 Henry Vilas Zoo Volunteer Guide

A Brief HistoryThe Henry Vilas Park Zoological SocietyThe Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society began in 1914 as a group of zoodevotees who loved animal life. The group created an organization with a mission toenlarge the zoo, exhibit animals under favorable conditions, foster zoological research,and increase public interest in animals. Local Madison residents made generouscontributions to the Zoological Society. In 1915, the Society oversaw the creation of aBird House with funds donated by Mrs. William Vilas, and in 1917 the building of theLion House with funds donated by Dr. Charles Vilas.The Society reorganized in 1926 as the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society witha volunteer Board of Directors to pursue fund raising through membership contributions,donations and special events. During the next decade the Society raised funds to createthe Primate House in 1929 with matching city funds. With the help of the WorksProgress Administration, the Society built Monkey Island, the bear dens and several othercage-type enclosures in the 1930s.The next large building period began in 1961 with construction of the new CamelBarn. The Society became a not-for-profit corporation in 1964 and soon raised enoughfunds to support a concerted building program. In the 1970s, the Society helped fund theLion House moat, construction of the elephant/rhino complex, and matched funds withthe County to build the giraffe addition, otter exhibit, seal area, and renovate the bearexhibit. In addition, the Society made it possible to purchase many animals.Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Society continued its progress in improvingconditions for animal housing. The second phase of the bear exhibit remodeling wascompleted and the reptile exhibit opened in 1983. Transition of Zoo ownership from theCity of Madison to Dane County was completed in 1993. The Society, in partnershipwith Dane County and the City of Madison continued to support major improvementswith the new penguin exhibit opening in 1985 and the Discovery Center and Herpetariumopening to the public in 1992.In 1993, the Society worked with Dane County to develop ReZOOvenation, amassive project to renovate the oldest section of the zoo including the primates, big cats,and birds. To meet its challenge to fund 50% of this $11 million project, the Societyconducted two successful capital campaigns in 1993 and 1998 as well as a variety of fundraising programs. In addition, the Society contributed funds from annual fund raisingevents including the Zoo Benefit, Feast with the Beasts and Halloween at the Zoo. Thefinal phase of that plan, the Tropical Forest Aviary, opened in June of 2003.Today, the Society continues to be governed by a board of 21 volunteers. Underthe direction of the board, a small staff and hundreds of Society members and volunteerscarry out the functions of membership, special events volunteers and other fund-raisingactivities.Add more…..Revised 11/25/200815