Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo began not as a planned institution, but as a collection of stray animals and discarded pets. When construction of the park began in the late eighteen fifties, workers discovered a bear cub that became the first resident, and it was soon joined by dozens of swans, foxes, and other creatures donated by local citizens. These animals were initially kept in makeshift wire enclosures and basement cages inside the nearby Arsenal building. The haphazard collection eventually became known as the menagerie, drawing massive crowds of New Yorkers who were fascinated by the exotic display right in the center of their growing city.