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Monkey House and Bear Pit

Philadelphia and its Environs, and the Railroad Scenery of Pennsylvania, p. 72, 1875, published by J.B. Lippincott & Co.: Philadelphia, USA

The Zoological Society of Philadelphia’s Zoological Garden, first open to the public in the summer of 1874, was the first zoological establishment of its kind in the United States. Consisting of Carnivora and Monkey Houses, Bear Pits, an Aviary, and a Deer Park, the zoo regularly imported “rare and interesting specimens of natural history” from around the world.[1] We see here the iconic Monkey House and Bear Pit that was such a popular attraction for these early public zoos.[2] The latter arena features a tree-like pole in the center for the bears to climb and be more viewable to the human onlookers.

 

 

Big Bear, Little Bear

Chicago Ledger, v. XLIX, no. 10, Saturday, March 5, 1921, cover illustration, published by W.D. Boyce: Chicago, Ill.

A little girl holds a teddy bear up to a bear in a cage at a zoo. Animal-themed toys, such as the ubiquitous teddy bear, promote an interest in animals among children.

 

References

[1] Philadelphia and its Environs, and the Railroad Scenery of Pennsylvania, p. 73, 1875, published by J.B. Lippincott & Co.: Philadelphia, USA

[2] Animal Attractions: Nature on Display in American Zoos, Introduction, 2002, Hanson, Elizabeth, published by Princeton University Press