From the Ark to the Archive

Ann Hills looks at a little-known treasure trove: the archives of London Zoo.

A View of the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park, London, 1835; showing figures by the camel house to the left and to the right a pen filled with sheep, goats and a zebra. From the Collection of the Museum of London.While London Zoo is trying to raise large sums in order to create a new public image to safeguard its future, the Zoological Society of London, which owns it, are sitting on a little-known treasure trove which (fortunately) cannot be sold: the Zoo's archive.

However, with the help of its new archivist, Paul Humphreys, and a new computer system, the historical value of the archive and library (which date back to the Society's founding in 1826) seem set to rise to the fore, as a wealth of hitherto uncatalogued material is made accessible for the first time.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.