Philadelphia is famous for its historical firsts, from the founding of our country, to the first public school in the colonies, to the first public library. Many other significant “firsts” occurred in Philadelphia’s history such as the creation of America’s first zoo, first botanical gardens, and first hospital. These places are occasionally overlooked, but add to the significance and history of this great city.
America’s First Zoo
The sign welcoming visitors into the Philadelphia Zoo proclaims its historic significance.
Observing rare and exotic animals had always been a popular activity in early America. In Philadelphia, Dr. William Camac, along with other prominent Philadelphians, developed the plans for the country’s first zoo. The zoo would be a place for all people to come and enjoy the interesting wildlife such as African elephants and other peculiar creatures. The zoo has played a prominent role in several facets of Pennsylvania’s history due to its location. On zoo property lies the house of John Penn, the grandson of William Penn, Pennsylvania’s founder. According to the zoo website, “[Penn’s home] the Solitude is considered to be Philadelphia's most precise and elegant expression of neoclassical style." (About America’s). In addition, the historic gates that lead into the zoo and the zoo’s geographical location have not changed since its opening in 1874. The zoo’s effect on Philadelphia has been especially strong through its conservation and education efforts. It stands as a historical landmark of Philadelphia and is an example of the city’s monumental firsts (“About America’s”).
| Zoological Society of Philadelphia established | March 21, 1859 |
| Philadelphia Zoo grand opening | July 1, 1874 |
| First successful birth of an echidna in North America | April 1983 |
| First successful birth of a giant river otter in North America | March 2004 |
| | |
(“Major Events”)
Bartram’s Botanical Gardens
John Bartram's house, first built in 1731, is also a historic landmark.
Another “first” of note was the creation of Bartram’s Botanical Gardens in Southwest Philadelphia. John Bartram, a well-known philosopher, scientist and botanist, founded the garden in 1728. He was one of the several famous “thinkers” in Philadelphia at the time. Bartram believed that the preservation of plants and the documentation of the fauna of the new world were extremely important. He established the garden to display the various plants he collected on his travels and is even credited with saving the Franklinia alatamaha tree from extinction. The botanical garden was the first of its kind and has attracted many visitors to see the beauty of the rare plants and flowers. Bartram’s efforts have added to Philadelphia’s rich history of conservation of nature. In order to ensure that this beautiful place remained a part of the city, the City of Philadelphia bought the property in 1891 in order to preserve it a public park and historical site (“Historic Bartram’s Garden”).
America’s first capital city is full of historical firsts. Featuring groundbreaking attractions such as America’s first zoo and the beautiful botanical gardens, the “City of Brotherly Love” has pioneered many of the things that make “America the Beautiful” what it is today.
Pennsylvania Hospital
The main building of the Pennsylvania Hospital, which sports a statue of William Penn at the center.
The Pennsylvania Hospital, which is located in Old City, was the very first hospital in both the Philadelphia and the nation. It was founded in 1751, a joint effort by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond (“History of Pennsylvania Hospital”). The Hospital served as a center of care for both colonial and British troops during the American Revolution. In 1997 the Pennsylvania Hospital merged with the University of Pennsylvania health care system. Still a functioning hospital facility, the Pennsylvania Hospital celebrated its 250th on May 11, 2001, which makes it the longest running hospital in the United States (“History of Pennsylvania Hospital”).
Sources:
About America’s first zoo. (2010) Retrieved April 5, 2010, from
http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/about/AboutZoo.htm.
Historic Bartram’s Garden. (2000) Retrieved from
http://www.ushistory.org/tour/tour_bartram.htm
History of Pennsylvania Hospital: Historical Timeline. (2010) Retrieved April 12, 2010, from
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/paharc/timeline/
Major events in zoo history. (2010) Retrieved April 5, 2010, from
http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/about/AboutZoo/150-Years/Major-Events-In-Zoo-History.htm.
Written by Leann Ziobro and Olive Sheehan
Edited by Andrew P Crowley
All photos credited to Wikimedia Commons:
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