8 Historic Photos of the Zoo to Celebrate Its 130th Anniversary

A black-and-white photo from 1899 of a group of schoolchildren looking at an American bison at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo was created in 1889 and opened its doors in 1891. To celebrate its 130th anniversary, look back at how the Zoo has evolved through the years – from just 15 species on the National Mall to a sprawling Zoo campus in Rock Creek Park and a companion facility in Front Royal, Virginia.

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