A Monthly Speaker Series Featuring Some of Our Neighborhood’s Most Fascinating People

Tuesday Talks

Tuesday Talks May 2025

May 20, 2025

Pamela Henson

Former Historian, Smithsonian

From a City’s Park to the Nation’s Zoo

Free and in person at the Cleveland Park Library, but register at:  https://clevelandwoodleypark.helpfulvillage.com/events/2665 

How did the National Zoological Park come to be and how did it end up in Rock Creek Park? Pam Henson will discuss challenges, failures, and successes at the Zoo and how it has changed over time.

Pamela Henson was the Historian for the history of the Smithsonian from 1974 to 2024. She has a doctorate in the history and philosophy of science. She taught oral history at American University for over a decade and conducted oral history interviews with Zoo staff.