Stone Zoo - Stoneham, MA 1980

Published 2023-07-21

The Stone Zoo was founded in 1905 as the Middlesex Fells Zoo. A small collection of local animals grew to include more exotic species. The Kiddy Zoo, largely based on Mother Goose stories, opened in the 1950. In the 1960s, the zoo underwent major renovations under the guidance of zoo director Walter D. Stone, including the construction of a large free-flight aviary, and the renovation added elephants, giraffes, zebras, pygmy hippopotamus, sea lions, and many other large animals. On March 14, 1969, the zoo was renamed the Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo, following his death in 1968.
The zoo continued to operate through the 1970s and 1980s and began breeding endangered species, including orangutans, kinkajous, siamang, and kudus. A polar bear named "Major" arrived in July 1979, and became the zoo's main attraction.
On November 12, 1990, state budget cuts caused the Zoo to close. Following public outcry, the state senate established a private, non-profit corporation to manage the zoo, with the help of fund-raising and donations, and the zoo reopened on June 6, 1992. During this transition period, the zoo fell into disrepair and lost all of its large animals, with the exception of Major who remained until his death in 2000.The zoo rapidly declined in quality and attendance. Old facilities were repurposed including using the former giraffe house as an animal education center.
In the early 2000s, Zoo New England began a fund-raising campaign to reinvigorate both the Stone Zoo and the Franklin Park Zoo.
On September 24, 2005, Stone Zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary. The zoo layout was modified to make the grounds interesting and educational, despite the lack of large animals. Many new exhibits were created and existing ones expanded or upgraded. These improvements have been credited with increasing zoo attendance, and the Zoo remains open -Wikipedia
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