Roger Williams Park Zoo Celebrates Its 150TH Birthday
New England’s Zoo Since 1872
In 1872, Ulysses Grant was president; there were 37 states in the union; the U.S. Patent Office issued the first patent; the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in New York City; suffragette Susan B. Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal and charged with illegally voting and a portion of Roger Williams Park was officially designated as the Roger Williams Park Zoo. One hundred and fifty years later, the Zoo is the third oldest in the United States.
What started as a scattered collection of small animals purely for entertainment has today evolved into one of our region’s foremost centers for conservation and environmental education. In 1986, Zoo became the first zoo in New England to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2018, the Zoo was humane certified by American Humane.
2022 will be filled with special activities and fun as the Roger Williams Park Zoo celebrates its 150th birthday.
April 1-3 Kick-Off Weekend
- April 1: Media Event. Select dignitaries and others are invited to watch as a time capsule is buried beneath The Sentinel Dog.
- April 2: Party for the Planet and meet community friends, enjoy fun activities, and animal enrichment. Plus, it is Free Saturday for Providence City residents**
- April 3: Visitors will enjoy $1.50 admission, entertainment and more surprises. Watch how our animals celebrate the day with birthday treats, we couldn’t leave them out of the party. (Non-members require advance tickets, available online only and capacity may be limited. Tickets will not be sold on-site)