May
23

Castle stories: Bison in the Backyard

In March, the Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management hosted our March Smithsonian Volunteer Enrichment program, Quarterly Castle Stories.

Two bison with Smithsonian Castle in the background
Two buffalo in a paddock in the South Yard behind the Smithsonian Institution Building. They were acquired in 1886 by the United States National Museum’s Department of Living Animals, which eventually became the National Zoological Park. This photograph, taken sometime between 1886 and 1889, predates the founding of the NZP which was established by Act of Congress in 1889. (Smithsonian Archives image)

The program marked the first event in our first multi-part enrichment series, Quarterly Castle Stories. Every third month this year, a program in this series will serve as the month’s Smithsonian Volunteer Enrichment Program. With this series, we hope to connect the Smithsonian’s first building, the Castle, to the larger Institution and to highlight our role in history, innovation, and scientific discovery.

During the program, Castle Docent Linda Feldman explored the history of bison at the Smithsonian and the man who brought them here, William Temple Hornaday. The presentation continued with National Zoo Assistant Curator Gilbert Myers sharing about the bison that live at the Zoo today and what it’s like to take care of this iconic American species.

Watch the presentation

If you were unable to join us for the live program (or want to watch it again), the recording is now available! Castle Stories

If you are unable to access the video through the above link, click here and enter the password SIEnrichment!March22 when prompted.

Learn more

To learn more about today’s topic and how Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) scientists are collaborating with the American Prairie Reserve to protect and restore the North American prairie, check out these resources:

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/restoring-americas-prairie

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation-ecology-center/restoring-americas-wild-prairie

https://www.americanprairie.org/

Related posts:

Cropped B&W photo of of four bison grazing in snowy fieldSmithsonian Voices: The Return of a National Icon Field in Focus | Restoring America’s Prairie stock image 50th anniversaryOVS celebrates 50 years of service Stuffed baby bison toyCome play in our backyard!

Posted: 23 May 2022
About the Author:

Savannah Loebig is a Program Assistant for the Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management. She works with the Visitor Services team providing support for public facing programs and initiatives. In her free time Savannah is an avid reader, home cook, and ceramics student.