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Zoo Miami Collection, 1967-2017, Date acquired: 05/26/2017, bulk 1980-2006

 

Summary

Creator:
Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation
Abstract:
Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, colloquially known as Zoo Miami, is the largest and oldest zoological park in the state of Florida. The zoo is the only zoological garden in the continental United States with a tropical climate, which allows it to house a large array of animals from different continents. Previously known as Miami Metrozoo and Crandon Park Zoological Gardens, this collection offers a progressive chronology of the Zoo. Emphasis on the instrumental role played by benefactors, volunteers, zoo keepers and administrative staff is captured in the collection, from their early days in Key Biscayne, to their historic relocation to South Miami. The collection is comprised of newsletters, ephemeral objects, promotional materials, and photographic materials
Extent:
12.00 boxes
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Zoo Miami Collection dates from 1967 to 2017, with bulk dates ranging from 1981 to 2006. The collection includes newsletters, ephemeral objects, promotional materials, and photographic material. The newsletters highlight early efforts from Crandon Park Zoo alongside the Zoological Society of Florida to spark public interest in zoological activities including conservation efforts, welcoming new residents and in-home captive births, and raising public funding necessary for zoological maintenance. The collection also contains a large amount of photographs taken by zoo keepers and staff members, focusing on showcasing the residents of the Zoo through the years. The Zoo Miami Collection offers an intellectual value for studies of history of South Florida between 1967-2017; history of zoological gardens and conservation; conservation of subtropical flora and fauna.

Biographical / historical:

The beginnings of Zoo Miami trail back to 1948, when a traveling show traded two spider monkeys, a chimpanzee, two black bears, and a goat to Miami-Dade County for the amount of $270 they needed to repair its truck. The six animals were the first of over 1,000 to be housed at the Crandon Park Zoological Gardens in Key Biscayne. The investment proved successful, as the Zoo gained momentum within its community and housed the first successful captive birth of an Aardvark in North America.

After Hurricane Betsy hit Miami in 1965, over 200 animals met their unfortunate demise and prompted the zoo officials, alongside the Zoological Society of Florida, to propose a relocation of the Zoo in order to prevent future casualties of zoo residents. In 1972, through the "Item Nine" referendum, Miami-Dade County approved the relocation of Crandon Park Zoo from Key Biscayne to its current home in South Miami. Construction took almost a decade to complete, and in 1980, the doors opened to the new Miami Metrozoo.

Since opening its doors in 1980, Miami Metrozoo has had 800,000 annual visitors, and has reached over 15 million people of all ages. Their conservation programs are alive not just locally, but on a global level, with over 30 programs on six continents. Their new rebranding as the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, known on a day to day basis as Zoo Miami, keeps and maintains conservation on the forefront of any and all decision making processes.

Note written by

Acquisition information:

Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation

Donation

Processing information:

Collection was processed by Ana D. Rodriguez. Finding aid was written by Ana D. Rodriguez and Melissa Cuadra.

Arrangement:

The Zoo Miami Collection is organized and housed in 12 boxes. The collection is arranged in four series determined by materiality: I. Publications, II. Ephemeral Materials, III. Promotional Materials, and IV. Photographic Materials. Contents in series I. include newsletters, corporate reports, and special newspaper supplements. Series II. include coloring books, guidebook, 45' vinyl record; Series III. include brochures and press kits; Series IV. include b&w and color photographs, and slides.

Physical location:
Green Library, Goverment Resources and Information Department, GL 214 Contact Staff for Access at 305-348-3135
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Newsletters, most of the ephemeral materials and photographs are available through the Zoo Miami Digital Collection

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Location of this collection:
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami
FL
33199
USA