10. The Central Park Zoo Could Have Been at the Site of the American Museum of Natural History

While seeking a location for the proposed menagerie, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux were initially opposed to establishing a zoo in the main body of Central Park. Vaux consequently drafted a plan to move the animals to a formal Zoological Garden at “Manhattan Square,” a section of land between 77th and 81st streets and Eighth and Ninth avenues (now the site of the American Museum of Natural History). That plan, however, was obviously scrapped.

Join us for an upcoming Secrets of Central Park walking tour to learn more about the Central Park Zoo and the hidden histories of other iconic sights within the park!

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 Next, check out vintage photographs of Central Park Zoo and read about the History of the Central Park Arsenal.