Community Case
The Community Case is exactly what it sounds like: it's a display space shared by the Humboldt community. Local organizations* are invited to curate a unique display on a monthly, rotating basis. Share the history of your social organization, business, hobby, or craft. Organizations are also welcome to table at Arts Alive, where your representative can engage with visitors about your special interest. To apply, email the museum director, Ben Brown.
*Note there is a waiting list and all displays/organizations are subject to certain guidelines and approval.
*Note there is a waiting list and all displays/organizations are subject to certain guidelines and approval.
Current Display
The historic Sequoia Park Zoo is celebrating its 110th anniversary. Their display, through photos and objects, shows the history of the zoo and the changes that have taken place in its century-plus existence.
Origins
Sequoia Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in California, founded in 1907 – nine years before the San Diego Zoo. Few accounts exist about its formation, but the zoo likely began with a few enclosures containing tame deer or elk.
At the turn of last century, zoos were considered a status symbol of a modern city and Eureka was eager to make its mark. The zoo was one of many recreational attractions at Sequoia Park, and its purpose was purely to display wild animals for amusement, housing a hodgepodge of exotic animals that came from circuses and shows. Animals such as African lions, polar bears, wallaroos, kinkajous, camels, baboons, plus dozens of bird species had a home at the zoo during this century. In those early decades, little thought was given toward education or appropriate animal care and well-being.
Changing Times
The 1970s was a time of change as the community rallied to modernize the zoo. A major renovation removed the small barred cages to make room for chimpanzee, bear and prairie dog exhibits and added a perimeter fence to protect and close the zoo at night. The zoo ended a popular but dangerous tradition of allowing the public to feed the animals. These changes allowed keepers to take better care of the animals. An unfortunate decision by City officials during the renovation was to euthanize two bears, which caused a national outcry and brought pressure to either close the zoo or change how it operated. The community chose the latter and formed the Zoo Society who implemented responsible management practices and focused on education.
The most famous and celebrated zoo residents were two male chimpanzees from the entertainment industry: Bill and Ziggy. Bill, an extroverted and exceptionally engaging chimpanzee, became a true icon of the zoo and the community. He touched the lives of generations of Eurekans up to his death in 2007.
The Zoo Today
Sequoia Park Zoo has exciting plans on modernizing the facility! Gaining accreditation in 1995 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums helped set the stage for the zoo to become the well-respected facility we know today. Our professional staff is passionate about animal welfare and it shows in the quality of care the animals receive.
In 2006 a plan for the zoo’s future was created, which groups animal exhibits strategically to tell specific stories about wildlife, conservation and science. The animals at the zoo are carefully selected for compatibility with our small size and resources, our climate, and the conservation stories they represent. In partnership with the City of Eureka, the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation raises funding necessary to turn this vision for the future into a reality!
Origins
Sequoia Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in California, founded in 1907 – nine years before the San Diego Zoo. Few accounts exist about its formation, but the zoo likely began with a few enclosures containing tame deer or elk.
At the turn of last century, zoos were considered a status symbol of a modern city and Eureka was eager to make its mark. The zoo was one of many recreational attractions at Sequoia Park, and its purpose was purely to display wild animals for amusement, housing a hodgepodge of exotic animals that came from circuses and shows. Animals such as African lions, polar bears, wallaroos, kinkajous, camels, baboons, plus dozens of bird species had a home at the zoo during this century. In those early decades, little thought was given toward education or appropriate animal care and well-being.
Changing Times
The 1970s was a time of change as the community rallied to modernize the zoo. A major renovation removed the small barred cages to make room for chimpanzee, bear and prairie dog exhibits and added a perimeter fence to protect and close the zoo at night. The zoo ended a popular but dangerous tradition of allowing the public to feed the animals. These changes allowed keepers to take better care of the animals. An unfortunate decision by City officials during the renovation was to euthanize two bears, which caused a national outcry and brought pressure to either close the zoo or change how it operated. The community chose the latter and formed the Zoo Society who implemented responsible management practices and focused on education.
The most famous and celebrated zoo residents were two male chimpanzees from the entertainment industry: Bill and Ziggy. Bill, an extroverted and exceptionally engaging chimpanzee, became a true icon of the zoo and the community. He touched the lives of generations of Eurekans up to his death in 2007.
The Zoo Today
Sequoia Park Zoo has exciting plans on modernizing the facility! Gaining accreditation in 1995 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums helped set the stage for the zoo to become the well-respected facility we know today. Our professional staff is passionate about animal welfare and it shows in the quality of care the animals receive.
In 2006 a plan for the zoo’s future was created, which groups animal exhibits strategically to tell specific stories about wildlife, conservation and science. The animals at the zoo are carefully selected for compatibility with our small size and resources, our climate, and the conservation stories they represent. In partnership with the City of Eureka, the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation raises funding necessary to turn this vision for the future into a reality!
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