Apr

Come play in our backyard!

Where the teens and the buffalo roam

For three summers, from 2017 to 2019, we had Teen Docents at the Smithsonian Castle—it was always something I looked forward to as the Volunteer Coordinator. They worked on three different programs in those years, but one was especially fun for me: Bison in Our Backyard. This was a cart program I had designed in a class I took through Northwestern University and was able to then launch at the Castle.

On the wall behind the Castle Model in the Great Hall was an image of large shaggy bison just hanging out where the Haupt Garden is today. The image always intrigued me and as I became more aware of Castle and Smithsonian History while I was learning my role as the Castle Volunteer coordinator this story kept drawing me to it.

Bison on the mall — *Two bison in paddock in the South Yard behind the Smithsonian Castle, by Unknown, c. 1886-1889. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives.*

Did you know the National Zoo began behind the Castle? I certainly didn’t—and its beginning is credited to one man, William Temple Hornaday, but really, the credit belongs to a single bison calf, Sandy.

Sandy didn’t live too long, but his legacy does. His presence behind the Castle and in William Temple Hornaday’s life sparked a world of change for his species. Today we still have living bison at the Zoo and a lot of that story can be traced to what happened behind the Castle over a century ago.

Stuffed baby bison toy — *A baby bison toy helps engage young visitors in the story of Bison in our Backyard. Photo by Anne-Marie Gilleland*

The same teens kept coming back every summer and I got to know them as they grew in confidence and knowledge. They came back every summer ready to learn more and excited to share the story of the bison behind the Castle. Armed with a small cart, a stuffed baby bison, historic photographs and even hair from one of our modern-day bison at the Zoo, the teen docents had casual conversations with our visitors every summer in the Haupt Garden.

Teen docents and Bison in our Backyard cart — *Teen Docents manning the Bison in Our Backyard Cart in the Haupt Garden. Photo courtesy of Anne-Marie Gilliland.*

Children gather around bison in our backyard cart — *Families gather around the Bison in Our Backyard Cart in the Haupt Garden. Photo courtesy Anne-Marie Gilleland*

As we continue to find our way back from COVID, I’m looking forward to bringing the bison (cart) back to the Haupt Garden with teen docents.

Do you know any teens that may be interested in volunteering with us this summer? The Teen Docent Program is now accepting applications through May 15.

Apply Now

For any questions, please email me at Anne-Marie Gilliland GillilandA@si.edu