A New Deal for our National Zoo: A better environment for the birds

Above: The Bird House at the National Zoo (Washington, DC) was built in 1928, a few years before the New Deal. The date of this photograph is unknown. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Above: In 1937, this addition to the Bird House was completed, with funding from the New Deal's Public Works Administration (PWA). Photo from the National Zoo's fiscal year 1937 report.

Above: Currently, the Bird House is undergoing renovations for a new exhibit experience. It's unclear if the 1937 PWA expansion still exists and, if it does, if it will be preserved during the renovation. But it's interesting to note that the Zoo specifically says "our 1928 Bird House" in the sign above. Do they mention the age as a matter of historic pride, or as an indication that it's time for something new to replace the old? Photo by Brent McKee, June 2019.

Above: A bird in the small mammal house, probably kept here because of the Bird House renovation. Photo by Brent McKee, June 2019.

Above: There was also New Deal art for the National Zoo's Bird House, such as this dodo bird artwork, carved by Domenico Mortellito and possibly designed by Elizabeth Fulda, both of whom were working at the Zoo with funds from the New Deal's Treasury Relief Art Project (TRAP), 1935-1937. Interestingly, Fulda also created artworks for the Bird House made out of zinc, but they've apparently been lost (see Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. DC-777-D, pp. 7-8). Photo from aforementioned HABS report.

Between 1933 and 1940, New Deal work programs made many improvements to the National Zoo's Bird House and surroundings. For example, the Civil Works Administration (CWA) installed a brick smokestack to replace a dilapidated metal smokestack, and also constructed a large flight cage for condors. The WPA constructed a pool and a waterfall, and also installed a water main and concrete walkways. And the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided funds for a Bird House addition (photo above), a structure 43 ft. x 133 ft. and containing 27 new exhibits. (Information from various annual reports of the National Zoo.)