Monthly Archives: October 2026

Getting Down to Business: Opening the Bronx Zoo’s First Administration Building

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With this inaugural post, we plan to issue digital versions of newly curated exhibits that are displayed in a case within the offices of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Each exhibit will share a subject from WCS’ amazing history with the use of images and documents from the WCS Archives.

In November 1908, activity was underway across the Bronx Zoo’s Astor Court, then known as Baird Court. As workers finished the yards and pathways around the newly opened Elephant House, crews in the northeast corner of the court broke ground for a new Administration Building. The building included the office of the zoo’s first director, William Hornaday, a library, reading room, reception room, and boardroom, along with galleries displaying animal specimens—known as the National Collection of Heads and Horns—and artwork featuring wildlife.

Blueprint of architectural drawing: NYZS Administration Building, West Elevation, 1907.
Like the other buildings on Baird Court, architects Heins & LaFarge were responsible for the design.
Clipping about November 9, 1909 opening of Administration Building in NY Zoological Society Bulletin issue number 35, September 1909.
The Administration Building’s opening on November 9, 1909, was part of celebrations for the zoo’s “Decennial,” or tenth anniversary.
Black and white photograph of National Collection of Heads and Horns exhibit in gallery of Administration Building, December 1910.
At the November opening, special guests viewed the National Collection of Heads and Horns, curated by the zoo’s Director William T. Hornaday. The collection was a featured attraction at events in the months that followed.

The Administration Building grew to accommodate zoo business slowly over much of 1910. During that period the New York Zoological Society’s Executive Committee established a Library Fund and Library Committee, hired temporary library catalogers, and hosted the NYZS Ladies’ Auxiliary for their monthly meetings.

On November 20, 1910, the Administration Building had a second opening for the public. From the next day on, only NYZS members and their families with special tickets could visit the building. The following photos were taken by staff photographer Elwin R. Sanborn for a feature in the January 1911 issue of the members’ magazine New York Zoological Society Bulletin.

Printed black and white photograph of Entrance Hall, Administration Building from NY Zoological Society Bulletin issue number 43, January 1911.

Printed black and white photograph of General Reception Room, Administration Building from NY Zoological Society Bulletin issue number 43, January 1911.

Black and white photograph of Staircase Hall, Administration Building. Taken for the photo shoot, but not reproduced, for NY Zoological Society Bulletin issue number 43, January 1911.

From 1913 onward, in anticipation of establishing the Heads and Horns Museum building at the Bronx Zoo, animal artwork usually filled the skylit gallery space upstairs at the Administration Building. The paintings of Carl Rungius and others graced the walls.

Black and white photo of art gallery, Administration Building showing framed animal artwork, December 12, 1935.
Art Gallery, 1935.
Black and white photograph of Director William Hornaday with books on bookshelves in Administration building office, 1910.
Director William Hornaday reads in his office. The names printed high on the walls were Hornaday’s tribute to “Champions of Wildlife,” many of whom had books in the library of the Administration Building.