Buffalo Zoo Gate Sculptures at Sarah Wichlacz

I finally shot the animal sculptures surrounding Buffalo Zoo; I only wish I could tell you more about them. Again, I shot digital with the lens baby; I just can’t get enough of the selective focus.

The Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest institution of it’s kind in the country; it was permanently established in 1875. I live near Delaware Park, home to the zoo, my husband and I often walk our dog around the the perimeter of the zoo. I’ve always enjoyed these animal sculptures that are posted on either side of the now unused zoo gates. I don’t know anything about these sculptures; the zoo was slowly constructed over many years. I guessing they were put in as part of or sometime between the construction of the famous elephant house in 1912 and the large WPA project that built the reptile house finished by 1942. Hopefully more information on the origins of these beautiful sculptures forthcoming. 6-13-06

Buffalo Zoo Gate - Mountian Lion Buffalo Zoo Gates - Seals Buffalo Zoo Gates - Bears


3 Responses to “Buffalo Zoo Gate Sculptures at Sarah Wichlacz”  

  1. 1 Paul Sabo

    John Lee Brewster was one of the original architects in approximately 1912 that designed and built the original elephant house at the Buffalo,NY Zoo. His date of birth was: 1884 and deceased in the year 1968.
    He was a long time Buffalo,NY resident.

    Mr. Brewster was my cousins great grandfather. My cousin is not really computer literate and asked me to research this with you for her.

    Do you have any information on the elephant house construction (ie: atricles or records to direct our references)we may access and obtain copies, etc.

    Thank you for your consideration.

  2. 2 Paulette Ambellan

    Hello,

    We took pictures of the all of the sculptures around the zoo today. One of the people to work on them was Harold Ambellan, a 3rd cousin. Harold grew up in Buffalo and I believe had his art training here. He also lived in New York City and later Arles, France. Post depression, during the time of the New Deal, Harold was hired as part of the WPA to construct artwork at the zoo and also on the Willert Park housing development on the East Side of Buffalo, specifically the A.D. Price building. These buildings are to be torn down but we understand that the terra cotta reliefs that both Harold and Robert Cronbach did will be reused in the new construction.

    As far as the zoo, I’m not certain who else may have been involved, but am continuing to “google” and have been in touch with UB professors and have recently contacted the Olmstead Conservancy to see if there are records.

    Harold was friends with several famous people: Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Picasso! He died a few years ago. His daughter still lives in Arles and my daughter will visit her this summer, hands full of the pictures from the Zoo and Willert Park.

    If you have learned any more, I’d love it if you shared the information.

    Thank you.

    Paulette Ambellan

  1. 1 Phentermine.


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