Rosamond Gifford Zoo

A Detailed History of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

   The Rosamond Gifford Zoo, located in Burnet Park in Syracuse, New York, has a rich history spanning over a century. Originally known as the Burnet Park Zoo, it was renamed in 1999 in honor of Rosamond Gifford, a local philanthropist whose foundation provided significant funding. This article delves into the life of Rosamond Gifford and traces the zoo’s evolution from its humble beginnings to its current status as a top-tier accredited facility.

Who Was Rosamond Gifford?
   Rosamond Gifford was born in 1873 in Syracuse, New York, as the daughter of the city’s district attorney.  Little is known about her early family life beyond her father’s prominent role. She experienced a brief and unhappy marriage, after which she reclaimed the Gifford name and relocated to Boston to study and teach the harp.  In 1913, she returned to Syracuse to care for her ailing father during his final years.  By 1929, Gifford had moved to a farm on Oneida Lake, where she lived in relative seclusion, occasionally visiting Syracuse to consult with her advisors.  She passed away in 1953. 

   Gifford’s legacy is primarily through her philanthropy. Her will established the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation (now The Gifford Foundation) with an initial bequest of $5 million, which has since grown to over $20 million.  The foundation has awarded more than $44 million in grants to nonprofits in Onondaga, Oswego, and Madison Counties since 1954, supporting religious, educational, scientific, charitable, and benevolent causes without specific directives.  Notable early contributions included funding for Syracuse University’s School of Social Work in 1955, the first conductor of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra in 1956, and the Interreligious Council (now Interfaith Works).  The foundation was the largest contributor to the Everson Museum Building Campaign, with dedications to its first executive director, Wink Berman, and Gifford herself.  From 1957 to 1980, the Gifford Scholarship Program fully funded college for 184 individuals. 

   Gifford’s connection to the zoo stems from her affection for animals, reflected in the foundation’s ongoing support.  In 1999, a $2 million gift established an educational endowment, leading to the zoo’s renaming in her honor.  The foundation’s grantmaking evolved over time, shifting to proactive strategies around 2000, focusing on capacity building for grassroots organizations, and launching programs like “What If…” mini-grants in 2011 and the ADVANS program in 2007. 

The Origins of Burnet Park and Early Advocacy for a Zoo (1886–1914)
   The zoo’s story begins with Burnet Park, established in 1886 following the merger of the Town of Geddes and the City of Syracuse.  This merger was driven by needs for better public services, including police, fire protection, and water infrastructure from Skaneateles Lake.  John Burnet, a major landowner, donated nearly 125 acres of hilltop farmland on the condition that it remain a park named after him, with annual city funding for maintenance ($10,000 for trees, roads, and lawns; $3,000 for upkeep) and paved entrances.  The park initially featured bandstand concerts, walking paths, picnic areas, and a golf course added in 1901. 

   Public interest in a zoo emerged as early as 1898, when citizens lobbied for a zoological department in a south-end park.  An alderman reported an offer to build and stock such a facility if the city made improvements, but the proposal stalled.  The zoo officially began in 1914 when the city allocated four acres in Burnet Park after a group led by W. W. Wiard of the Syracuse Chilled Plow Co. purchased the remnants of a traveling circus.   By 1916, exhibits included a stone-based bear den and a waterfowl pond, with animals donated by prominent locals. 

Expansion and Challenges in the Mid-20th Century (1916–1970s)
   The zoo doubled in size by 1933, featuring small barred cages focused on visitor viewing rather than animal welfare or natural habitats.  A 1955 newspaper review criticized its conditions, prompting improvements like the Gifford Foundation-funded Children’s Wonderland, which included miniature structures for interactive farm animals, and city-funded renovations to the bear den and Monkey Island.  However, these were short-lived solutions. In the early 1960s, ongoing criticisms highlighted funding shortages, with mayors debating updates and proposals to relocate the zoo north of the city, though officials preferred retaining it in Burnet Park. 

   Vandalism escalated, including animal releases, killings, thefts, and property damage.  In 1970, the Friends of the Zoo organization formed to raise funds, expanding the zoo to 18 acres with additions like a fence, boardwalk, and Western Plains habitat.  The zoo achieved nonprofit status in 1975, introduced minimal admission fees, and planned further growth through membership drives.  Onondaga County Executive John Mulroy initially vetoed funding but later supported renovations.  The county took over operations in 1977. Despite expansions like the Plains and North East Woods exhibits by 1980, animal conditions remained poor, with inadequate cages affecting reproduction and causing complaints about odors and cleanliness. 

Major Renovation and Modernization (1980s–1990s)
   In 1982, a $7.5 million renovation project began, funded by $1 million from the community, $2.5 million from private sources, and support from the Rosamond Gifford Foundation.  Over three years, animals were sold, loaned, or relocated (e.g., waterfowl to Beaver Lake Nature Center), and most original buildings were demolished, except the main one integrated into the new design.  The zoo closed temporarily and reopened in August 1986 at a total cost of $12.8 million after seven years of planning.  The revamped facility emphasized evolutionary themes, with exhibit areas, classrooms, and research spaces, earning national accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1987.

A 1998 capital campaign added a conservation education center, tiger exhibit, and rainforest area.  The 1999 $2 million endowment from the Gifford Foundation led to the renaming as the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. 

The Zoo in the 21st Century
   Today, the 43-acre zoo houses over 700 animals from more than 216 species, many endangered, and ranks in the top 10% of North American zoos with AZA accreditation.   It continues as a breeding facility contributing to global conservation.  Recent developments include the 2022 opening of a state-of-the-art Animal Health Center and ongoing exhibits like the Zalie and Bob Linn Amur Leopard Woodland.  In December 2024, a book titled Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park was released, chronicling its century-long history. 

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo stands as a testament to community perseverance, philanthropic vision, and a commitment to wildlife education and conservation, evolving from a modest collection of circus animals to a world-class institution.