100 Years of Wild; 50 Years of Friends

Asheville’s Wildlife Park Marks 100 Years of Wildlife Conservation and Friends of the WNC Nature Center Celebrates 50 Years of Support

The WNC Nature Center is proud to announce the celebration of its 100th anniversary as a zoo, marking a century of inspiring visitors to foster a deep connection with wildlife. In tandem with this milestone, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, the nonprofit dedicated to supporting the zoo’s mission, is also commemorating its 50th anniversary. These twin celebrations highlight the zoo’s remarkable legacy in animal care, education, and conservation.

Since it opened as Recreation Park Zoo in 1925, the WNC Nature Center has undergone its own metamorphosis, evolving from a collection of exotic animals – including elephants, lions, monkeys, zebras, and camels – to animals native to the Southern Appalachians from the past to the present. From species like the river otter and hellbender to red wolves and red pandas, the WNC Nature Center has told the story of the unique biodiversity of the Appalachian region for decades. In 2023, the WNC Nature Center welcomed more than 192,500 guests, of which 75,000 were children, through its gates.

2024 was on track to be another standout year for the Nature Center’s visitor attendance when disaster struck. Due to Tropical Storm Helene and its devastating impact on the region, the WNC Nature Center has been temporarily closed since September 27 and will remain closed through the first part of its centennial year.

(L-R) Millie Elmore, Jeanne Cummings, and Dershie McDevitt, three of the Founding Mothers

The Nature Center is no stranger to closure or threat of closure. Before Tropical Storm Helene, the WNC Nature Center was closed for six months in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The zoo was also closed from 1943 to 1959 as a result of World War II and financial hardships, and in 1973, the US Department of Agriculture recommended closure due to conditions at the zoo. As a result, through a generous donation from the Junior League of Asheville and a campaign by six of their members (Jeanne Cummings, Sally Rhoades, Dershie McDevitt, Millie Elmore, Martha Gentry, and Audie Bayer) now lovingly called the Founding Mothers, the Children’s Zoo and Nature Center was born, along with the Friends support organization. The grand opening of the newly re-visioned Nature Center occurred in May 1977.

“We have such a unique history,” says Kate Frost, Executive Director of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. “Under threat of closure, the Friends came into existence two years prior to the Nature Center to herald in a new era for our wildlife park. Despite so many obstacles in our storied past, our two organizations have adapted and shown resiliency, and our mission has remained unchanged.”

Officially established in 1975, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center has been a vital partner in the zoo’s success, ensuring the resources and financial support needed to fulfill its mission. Over the past 50 years, the nonprofit has raised millions of dollars to fund animal habitats and care, educational initiatives, and conservation programs. Its commitment has been instrumental in the zoo’s growth, supporting notable projects like the new Front Entrance, Red Panda Habitat, and most recently, the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians.

Complete with a butterfly garden, a renovated barn and farmyard space, and an expanded Gift Shop, the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project broke ground in May 2024 with an expected completion by summer 2025. Though progress was initially delayed due to the Nature Center’s closure with Tropical Storm Helene in late September 2024, construction was able to regain lost time due to the park staying closed and not having to take guest experience into consideration.

Even without it being a milestone anniversary for both organizations, 2025 is already on track to be a momentous year with plans to reopen in the spring and complete the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project by summer.

Chris Gentile has been the director of the WNC Nature Center since 2009 and has played an integral part in the recent history of the Center. “One exciting part of our Gateway project will be the unveiling of a 75-foot history timeline along the exterior of our barn wall. The history wall will feature our first 100 years, including fun facts and important milestones, like our accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) in 1999.” Notably, the Nature Center is one of just eight facilities open to the public in North Carolina that is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

The Nature Center and the Friends of the WNC Nature Center will commemorate their historic milestones throughout the year with special anniversary celebrations, educational programs, fundraising initiatives, and community outreach activities:

Heart of the Wild Gala: In March, the Friends will celebrate their anniversary with a ticketed event that honors the Founding Mothers’ significant contributions.
History Wall: A commemorative exhibit displaying the zoo’s history, featuring archival photos and highlights from 100 years of animal care and education will be unveiled at part of the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project.
Community Engagement Programs: Special educational programs, guided tours, and other opportunities for visitors will be promoted throughout the year.
“More than a Zoo” Series: Monthly interviews with key stakeholders will share centennial stories highlighting the impact the WNC Nature Center and the Friends have had on this region.
Social Media Campaign: The Friends will be rolling out an engaging social media campaign that will highlight historical facts and trivia relating to the centennial.
One Hundred More Years of Wild: This is an opportunity for long-time supporters to make philanthropy-defining gifts that will lead the WNC Nature Center into a new century of impact. To learn more about legacy gifts, please contact Friends Director of Development Cindy Smith at [email protected]

“We are honored to have played a role in connecting generations of visitors with nature and inspiring them to protect and conserve wildlife,” says Frost. “This was all made possible because of the vision of a few, and we are deeply grateful to our community, members, and donors for their role in helping us realize this dream.”

“What we’ve collectively accomplished to date is worth celebrating, and what we can learn from it as we look to the future is inspiring,” says Gentile. “The Friends and the Nature Center are a dynamic powerhouse of a team, and we’re excited to embark on our next century of providing meaningful connection to the plants and animals of this region.”

For more information about the WNC Nature Center’s 100th and the Friends of the WNC Nature Center’s 50^th anniversaries, please visit www.wildwnc.org/celebrate, where visitors will find a centennial timeline and photos from throughout the years.

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100 Years of Wild; 50 Years of Friends

Asheville’s Wildlife Park Marks 100 Years of Wildlife Conservation and Friends of the WNC Nature Center Celebrates 50 Years of Support

100 Years of Wild; 50 Years of Friends

Animal Update after the Storm

Tropical Storm Helene

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