Philadelphia Zoo goes Victorian this Saturday only!

[madamekat]

This Saturday, March 21st, the Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating their 150th anniversary, and I'm told they will have brass bands, barbershop quartets and the Keystone State Boy choir will entertain your ears. Old-fashioned games and crafts will amuse children, while storytellers clad in Victorian costumes will bring the 19th century to life

Comments

[kambriel]

Oh, that sounds absolutely charming! Do they still have some of the original Victorian architecture in place?

[madamekat]

Yes, the buildings on the left are where you get your tickets at the entrance! I'll have to find out, but I think the bird house is pretty old. The carnivore house remains the same. The elephant house they show on the website is not the one they have now (and now even the elephant is gone). The primate house burned down about 10 years ago...what a horror that was...those poor animals.

[kambriel]

Poor animals indeed ~ how heart-wrenching. I wouldn't be surprised if that kind of thing happened more in the past with all-wooden structures too.

Even though I can't make it up in time for this, perhaps we'll have to go together another time ~ maybe we can even form another themed group outing for it! I've never been to a zoo with that kind of architecture. I'm envisioning it being near to the water too, which wold be so nice :)

I hope it works out for you to go!

[madamekat]

It's sort of near the Schuylkill River, but you can't see it from there. We'll tour the Art Museum, which overlooks the river, and have a picnic in the Azalea Garden.

[hollow_01]

The bird house was recently renovated. It's their big thing now.

[madamekat]

Oh no! I loved the old look of the bird house! Did they leave the facade the same at least?

[hollow_01]

I'm not sure. I heard them talking about it on the radio.