Brief Zoo History

The Thompson Park Zoo was established in 1920 when the Northern New York Trust Company donated two whitetail deer to Thompson Park and the City of Watertown to create a naturalistic exhibit that would offer all visitors an opportunity to enjoy the grace and beauty of these indigenous animals. 

Since 1920, Watertown’s Zoo has been home to a diverse collection of wildlife from the exotic to the indigenous. The first animals were purchased with funds raised by the children’s Park Zoo Club. The club, under the leadership of a twelve-year old boy, was formed as a support organization to provide a source of funding to feed the animals and construct small habitats for animals like porcupines, raccoons and other small carnivores. 

After years of prosperity the Zoo suffered a period of decline from 1960-1980.

After a period of decline, in 1988, a new generation of leadership established the Thompson Park Conservancy and Zoo. In 1992 the Zoo was turned over to the Conservancy, a federal not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity, (from the City of Watertown) and on April 1, 1997 the Conservancy unveiled its Thompson Park 2000 plan, which began a period of rapid growth and expansion developing a “new Zoo”.  A $2.2 million capital campaign successfully raised funds to establish an endowment and add new exhibits.

The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park prides itself as being the only zoo in the world to exhibit species native to New York State.  Abundant, threatened or endangered animals, including wolverines, bears, eagles, mountain lions and more make their home at our 32-acre Zoo.

Our Zoo is now the second most visited attraction in the Thousand Islands Region.  It attracts nearly 50,000 visitors per year and is supported by over 1,000 member households and reaches nearly 35,000 people through education programs. 

The New York State Zoo continues to move forward inspiring conservation, education and family oriented programs.