Brandywine Zoo - Centennial Celebration

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 1905 - 2005

In 2005, the Brandywine Zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary. We invited the community to share personal memories of experiences at the zoo by sending us photos and notes for our Centennial Scrapbook.

The zoo has changed a great deal from 1905 to 2005. Click here for photos... THEN & NOW.

Read the History of the Zoo from its origins as a neighborhood project to the present professionally managed zoological park.

And, of course, we remembered the animals that called the Brandywine Zoo home throughout the years.

Centennial Scrapbook

FIRST TRIP TO THE ZOO!

Dear Brandywine Zoo,
This is my son Luke on his first trip to the Brandywine Zoo in August 2004. He was apprehensive at first about touching the Iguana or "big lizard," but after the handler explained how gentle the Iguana was and that there was nothing to be afraid of, Luke decided it was okay. Then Luke didn't want to stop touching the Iguana. We almost had to take him home! (Ha, Ha) We really enjoyed our time at the zoo and will be back again soon.

Sincerely,
Larisa Parker-Watt (Luke's mom)
Newark, Delaware

MY DREAM CAME TRUE!

Dear Brandywine Zoo,
I loved coming to the zoo when I was a little girl. I loved the animals and thought it would be so fun to take care of them. Now I'm an animal keeper - my dream came true!

Kim Constantine

BIRTHDAY AT HOLI-ZOO CAMP

Dear Brandywine Zoo,
This is when I had my birthday and went to the Brandywine Zoo to decorate for Christmas. These are my friends Becca Price, Jack Dale, Brent O'Neill, Hassan Bayyan, Amber Duven finally but not least Jeffrey Willis the birthday boy. We were petting the big goats and medium goats and small goats. We did this in December at the Holi-Zoo Camp.

Jeffrey Willis
Middletown, Delaware

WHEN I WAS A KID...

My grandmother who lived at the top of Monkey Hill back in the 50's &60's took my bother and myself to the zoo often. There was a path that ran down the hill at the far end of the zoo (near the bird refuge and otter home). I have fond memories of running down the path to go see the animals. Being an animal lover ~ I knew all of the animals by name ~ and got to visit with them just about every week. I still visit, not as often, but now I get to take my grandchildren and we learn the animals names for our next visit. The Brandywine Zoo has given me a life-time of memories.

Thank-you,
Debbie Trump
Newark, Delaware

WSTW FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Dear Brandywine Zoo,
My family went to a WSTW Family Fun Night last year at your zoo and everyone had a great time! My 4 year old triplets (Yes, triplets!) loved getting the temporary tattoo from Jill and then got to meet Mrs. Delaware who signed their WSTW bumper stickers. While on the way home, I asked the children what their favorite animal was at the zoo. My daughter Maia said ALL of them! My son Angelo said the snakes. Last but not least when I asked my other son, Demetri what his favorite animal was he thought for a moment and said "Mrs. Delaware"! We all had a laugh at that one! Thanks to the Brandywine zoo and WSTW for making memories!

Happy Centennial,
Dorothy Giafes -- Mom of Maia, Angelo and Demetri
Elkton, Maryland

BOO AT THE ZOO!

Dear Brandywine Zoo,
We enjoy all the zoo activities. We went to the "Boo at the Zoo" a couple of times. At our first "Boo at the Zoo" we wore a Lion and a zebra costume. And then last year, we were leopards. It's a really fun time.

Lilian and Karla Dominguez and cousin Conan.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY!

One of my fondest memories of the Brandywine Zoo is when as a small child in the mid 1950's, dressed in our Sunday best, my dad would take my little sister Sally and I to visit the zoo. Our favorite place would be "BUNNY LAND" located down close to the river where the Brandywine Arts Festival is now located. There were rows of cages built up on stilts each holding a different rabbit. It was always a great time! Thanks for the memories!

Gerry Bogia Nichols

ENGAGEMENT DAY AT THE ZOO!

Dear Brandywine Zoo:
Thank you so much for giving Betsy and me a personal tour of the Brandywine Zoo with a behind the scenes look at the tigers. As you know, I requested this special tour because Betsy loves the tigers and I thought it would make the day I planned to ask her to marry me even more special. She loved the experience so much and it really made her day, perhaps even her year! The day went by perfectly and we got engaged that evening. Thanks again!

Also, Betsy was so excited with the trip to the zoo that we have decided to give a donation on our wedding day next year on behalf of our guests to the Brandywine Zoo!

Sincerely,
Roby Jose

NOTE FROM A FAMILY
Our story starts when we tell our children we going to the zoo. Their little faces light up with anticipation to see the animals. Paige (3 yrs.) can't wait to spy the "bobby" cat. Kaylee (6 yrs.) can't wait to spy the Siberian Tigers and monkeys. Yes, we play I spy throughout the zoo. It is amazing to us the things they see that we as adults do not. A trip to the zoo for our family is a learning experience for all of us. The zoo is a wonderful outlet for children to see animals they would only imagine in a book. Thanks for allowing our family to travel to exotic places with the animals. We look forward to more visits.

Fondly,
Amy and Donald Scheirer (and daughters)
Limerick, Pennsylvania

NOTE FROM A FORMER BOARD MEMBER
Memories of my first visit to the Brandywine Zoo remain so strong. Memories of taking my children for their first zoo visit are even stronger. But watching my grandchildren as they watched with awe on their first zoo visit is the most wonderful of all.

Delaware is blessed to have such a wonderful right-sized zoo with just the right mix of animals and ambiance to make the experience a real joy. Without our hometown zoo, many children would never have a chance to enjoy watching the otters slide, the jungle animals watch every movement around them, or the birds and monkeys run, fly and play with abandon.

As a former member of the Board, it was a great honor to help guide the growth and success of this special jewel in the center of our area. I hope that each of you may experience the excitement through your eyes...and the eyes of your children and grandchildren as well.

Robert W. Nightengale, Jr.
Former Member of the Board