Celebrating 125 Years

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is excited to announce that the Zoo is celebrating its 125th year anniversary in 2020. 

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium can track its history back to Riverview Park, which was founded as part of the park and boulevard system for the city of Omaha. This forward-thinking vision for the city set the stage for one of the world’s best zoos. With the 1895 completion of land purchases for Riverview Park and then the acquisition of its first animals, the foundation for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was set. From a gathering place for picnics, baseball games, and fishing to a virtual trip around the world, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a rich part of Omaha history and a staple of its future. 

In the late 1890s and early 1900s, thousands of people gathered on this same soil by the Missouri River to celebrate holidays, concerts and the city itself. Today, nearly two million people gather at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to immerse themselves in the Asian Highlands, Suzanne and Walter Scott African Grasslands, or Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails. They also may find themselves in America’s largest indoor rainforest, the Lied Jungle; the world’s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome; or the largest aquarium in a zoo, the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium. 

The activities and learning experiences of our visitors have been greatly enhanced and the Zoo’s conservation and research efforts have become a main focus; but the basic premise to gather and enjoy, while taking care of the animals, plants and our overall environment, remains the same.

Please watch for opportunities to celebrate the Zoo during its 125th anniversary year, including sharing your memories and stories about Riverview Park that became the world-class Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.