AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION COLLECTION, ADDENDUM 2

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION COLLECTION, ADDENDUM 2

(Mss 259)

Inventory

Earl K. Long Library

University of New Orleans

December 1994

Contents

Summary

Historical Note

Container List

Index Terms

Procedures for Requesting Special Collections Materials

Summary

Size: ca. 16 linear feet

Geographic

locations: New Orleans, La.

Inclusive dates: 1960, 1973-1988

Summary: Eight boxes of Audubon Park Commission records, including construction records (1960, 1973-1987; ride concession relocation records (1974-1976); board minutes (1973-1976, 1979-1980, 1983-1986), correspondence (1978-1981, 1984), appointments through 1979, committee records (1978-1984), public hearings (1982- 1983); reading file with letters of complaint, appreciation (1983-1988); Friends of the Zoo board minutes (1977-1987), reading file (1976-1977), appreciation file (1975-1976), complaint file (1979-1981); Audubon Park, An Urban Eden file; Avery Island file; greenhouse in park file (1960); concessions file (1970-1988); locomotive 745 to Okra file (ca. 1984); State of La. vs. APC & City of New Orleans file (re: zoo expansion, 1977); litigation file (1974-1986); City of New Orleans tax millage file (1972); City of New Orleans Bonds (1979); bond issue (1986); archeological artifacts found in vicinity of Hibernia Pavilion file (n.d.).

Related

collections: Audubon Park Commission Collection (Mss 56); Audubon Park Commission Collection, Addendum 1 (Mss 182)

Source: Gift, December 1994

Access: No restrictions

Copyright: Physical rights are retained by the Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans.

Citation: Audubon Park Commission Collection, Addendum 2, Earl K. Long Library, University of New Orleans

Historical Note

Audubon Park occupies a 190-acre site in uptown New Orleans bounded by St. Charles Avenue, Magazine Street, Exposition Boulevard, and Walnut Street, where the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition was held in 1884-1885. One of the fair's main buildings, Horticultural Hall, became the principal attraction in the development of the site into a park and served to centralize activity, even after a hurricane destroyed it in 1915. Meanwhile, on May 31, 1886, the New Orleans City Council established a commission to operate the park. Less than two months later, on July 19, the upper section was named in honor of naturalist and artist John James Audubon, who lived and worked in Louisiana.

In 1893, noted park designer Frederick Law Olmsted was invited to draw up plans for a million-dollar improvement program, but not until 1897 did his son, John Charles Olmsted, inspect the site and begin work on what would become the master plan for Audubon Park. Already, in 1891, the park had installed its first kiddie ride, the flying horses. In 1898 the miniature train began operating, and golfing became available. Three years later, Shetland pony rides for children were offered.

When a hurricane destroyed Horticultural Hall in 1915, the insurance payment of ten thousand dollars was used to build a greenhouse and a cage for flying birds. The latter foreshadowed today's zoo. A formal garden took shape in 1921, and in 1924 an aquarium was opened. In the same year, the park regained use of a fifty-acre site which had been occupied by a sugar experiment station, and the additional space opened the way for various athletic facilities. Perhaps the most notable of these was the natatorium, which was, when it opened on May 3, 1928, the largest swimming pool in the South. User fees paid for the facility and set a precedent for the present zoo.

In 1919, Daniel D. Moore, manager-editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, offered five hundred dollars in seed money toward the establishment of a zoo. During the 1930s, Civil Works Administration funds from New Deal agencies and a bequest from Valentine Merz financed zoo construction, and on May 15, 1938, the Merz Memorial Zoo admitted its first visitors. Some of its facilities still remain in use.

Despite national acclaim in the 1950s for its achievement in producing the first whooping cranes--an almost extinct species--hatched in captivity, inadequate funding in the 1950s and 1960s caused the zoo to deteriorate. Its rejuvenation began in 1971 when the Bureau of Governmental Research presented plans for expansion and improvement. The following year, voters approved a tax increase to fund the park's development, and community efforts to rebuild the zoo began in 1976. An indication of the success of these initiatives is the Audubon Zoo's receipt in 1984 of the National Landscape Award of the American Association of Nurserymen. It was just the third time in half a century that the prestigious award was presented.

Source: Forman, L. Ronald, and Joseph Logsdon, with John Wilds. Audubon Park: An Urban Eden. Photographs by David King Gleason and David Kleck. New Orleans: Friends of the Zoo, 1985.

Container List

The collection is in process. Following is the original folder list.

READING FILE, LETTERS OF COMPLAINT, APPRECIATION.......1983-88

Reading File - April-June 1983

Reading 7-9/83

Reading 10-12/83

1-3/84

Reading File - April - June 1984

Reading File 7-9/84

Reading File -October -December 1984

Letters of Complaint 1984

Reading File - January-March 1985

Reading File - April-June 1985

Reading File - July-September 1985

Reading File - October-December 1985

Letters of Appreciation - 1985

Letters of Complaint - 1985

Reading File - January 1986

Reading File - February 1986

Reading File - March - 1986

[Reading File - April - 1986]

Reading File - May

Reading File - June

[Reading File - July]

Reading File - August

Reading File - September

Reading File - October

Reading File - November

Reading File - December

Letters of Appreciation 1986

Reading File - January 1987

Reading File - February

Reading File - March

Reading File - April

Reading File - May

Reading File - June

Reading File - July

Reading File - August

Reading File - September

Reading File - October

Reading File - November

Reading File - December

Letters of Appreciation 1987

Letters of Complaint

Reading File - January 1988

Reading File - February

Reading File - March

Reading File - April

Reading File - May

Reading File - June

Reading File - July

Reading File - August

Reading File - September

Reading File - October

Reading File - November

Reading File - December

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION

Board Correspondence...1978-1981 & 1984

Board Appointments thru 1979

Committees..............1978-1984

Public Hearing..........1982-1983

Meetings................1983-1986

1978 Board Members' Correspondence

1979 Board Members' Correspondence

1980 Board Members' Correspondence

[Audubon Park Commission Appts. thru 1979]

1981 APC Board Correspondence

APC Grounds & Improvements Committee 1978-80

APC Correspondence 1984

Development Committee APC 1978

Finance Committee APC 1978-81

Stables Committee APC 1978-79

APC Jogging Committee 1981

Legal Committee 1980

Public Relations Committee 1981

Concessions Committee 1978-80

APC Public Hearing - Park - 1983

APC Public Hearing - Vehicular Access to Front of Park '82

APC Public Hearing Re: Tennis courts 1983

APC Board Meeting 1/26/83 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Board Meeting 2/23/83 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 4/83

APC 5/83

APC 6/83

APC Meeting 7/27/83 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 8/83

APC 9/83

APC Meeting 10/26/83 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 11/83

APC 12/83

APC 1983

APC Meeting 1/25/84 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 2/29/84 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 6/84

APC 10/84

APC Meeting 11/28/84 Conference Room

APC 3/84

APC Meeting 5/30/84 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 9/84

Budget, Finance, Development & Public Relations Comm. '84

Development Committee

Contracts Committee

Executive Committee - 1982-84

Finance Committee

Grounds & Construction Committee

Legal Committee 1982-84

Legal & Concessions Committee 1984

Public Relations Committee

APC January 1985

APC Feb 1985

APC March 27, 1985 Regular Monthly Meeting

APC Meeting 4/24/85 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC 5/29/85 Sheraton Hotel 12 noon

APC 6/85

APC Meeting 7/31/85 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 8/28/85 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 9/24/85 Pontchartrain Hotel 12 noon

APC Meeting 10/30/85 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 12/04/85 Pontchartrain Hotel 12 noon

APC Correspondence 1985

APC Meeting 1/29/86 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 2/26/86 Conference Room 4:00 P.M.

APC Meeting 4/30/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 5/16/86 Westin Hotel 8:30 A.M.

APC Meeting 5/28/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 6/25/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 8/27/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 9/24/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 10/29/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

APC Meeting 11/19/86 Conference Room 4:30 P.M.

APC Meeting 12/10/86 Conference Room 4 P.M.

AUDUBON PARK ZOO STUDY

Part 1 - Zoo Improvement Plan

Part 2 - An Operational Analysis

(Bureau of Governmental Research, August 1971)

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION

Construction............1973-87

Admin, Australia, Hibernia

Pavilion, Primate, Rockwork

Beer, Garden, Hospital, Swamp,

Hippo, Grasslands, Asian,

Fencing, Flight

Ride Concession

Relocation......1974-1976

Administration Building

Admin Bldg Bid Opening 10/24/84

Australia - Gatehouse

Australian Bid Opening 9/25/84

Australian Exhibit

Hibernia Bank Pavilion Bid Opening 3/02/83

Hibernia Bank Pavilion

Sea Lion Bid Opening 4/12/84 2 P.M. Conference Room

World of Primates II

Primate Center II

Primate Center

Simulated Rock Work

Rock Work

Dixie Beer Garden

Animal Center Care

Animal Hospital, Commissary, Kitchen

Louisiana Swamp Exhibit - Phase II, Folder I (thru 1982)

Louisiana Swamp Exhibit - Phase II, Bids & Contract

Louisiana Swamp Exhibit

Children's Zoo

Hippo

Concession Stand #5

Asian Domain, Partials & Changed Forms

Grasslands I

Grasslands II

Flight Exhibit, etc.

Maintenance Bldg., Partials & Changed Forms

Projest 7206-c Folder II, Rides Concessions Relocation

Project 7206-C Folder III, Rides Concession Relocation

Phase I Project 7206-B3, Parking Renovation & Expansion

Project 7206-C, Folder I, Rides Concession Relocation

Phase I Project 7206-B1, Fecning Renovation & Expansion

Audubon Park Comission

FOTZ Board.........1977-1987

FOTZ Reading File..1976-1977

FOTZ Appreciation..1975-1976

FOTZ Complaints....1979-1981

Audubon Park, An Urban Eden files

Avery Island files

Metropolitan W.C. 1971

FOTZ Board Meeting 1977

FOTZ Board Meeting 1978

FOTZ Board Meeting 1979

FOTZ Board Meeting 1980

FOTZ Board Meeting 1981

FOTZ Board Meeting 1982

FOTZ Board Meeting 1983

FOTZ Board Meeting 1984

FOTZ Board Meeting 1985

FOTZ Board Meeting 1986

FOTZ Board Meeting 1987

Thank You/Appreciation/Free Admission Letters

Complaints 1979-81

Book - An Urban Eden

Book - Avery Island

Red Pepper Paradise

1977 Reading File, Live Annual Info Removed 3/85

1976 Reading File, Checked Live Annual Info 3/85

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION

Greenhouse in Park..........1960

Zoo Construction.......1981-1987

Parking Lot, Australia, Children's

Village, Giraffe, Tennis, Sea Lion,

Reptiles

Audubon Park Greenhouse, 1960

Parking Lot, 1981-88

Parking Lot - Phase II, 11/12/87 bid opening

Front Section Beautification Program, 1982-85

Australia Walkway Contract, 1983

WCV Renovations Bid Opening 10:00 A.M. on 7/12/84

Children's Village Renovations, 1984-85

Electrical Vault #5 Bids Opened 5/26/83

Electrical Vault #5

Giraffe Bid Opening 9/25/84

Giraffe, 1984-86

Batture - Thru 7/85

Hibernia Pavilion - Legal, 1984-87

Tennis Courts, No Fault Industries, 1985-88

Sea Lion Bid Opening - Feb. 1985

Sea Lion Bids, 1985

Sea Lion Pool, thru 1984

Sea Lion Pool Renovation - 1985-87

Sea Lion Rockwork Environmental Craftsmen, 1985-86

Odenheimer Reptile, 1986

Odenheimer Reptile House - Bid Opening 9/10/86

Odenheimer Reptile, 1987

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION

State of La. vs. APC & City of Nre Orleans

(re: Zoo Expansion)..............1977

Litigation .............1974-1986

City of New Orleans Tax Millage...1972

City of New Orleans Bonds.........1979

Bond Issue........................1986

Archeological Artifacts found in vicinity of Hibernia Pavilion

State of Louisiana, Ex Rel vs. Audubon Park Commission

and the City of New Orleans

Conner, Joseph vs. APC, 1974

Litigation - Margaret Meade vs. APC

APC vs. Civil Service, 1978-81

Litigation - Cimini & Meric vs. City of New Orleans, APC 79-81

LItigation - Scardino vs. Audubon Park Commission, 1980

Litigation: Rita Brewer vs. State of La., APC & City of New Orleans

Litigation - Jones & W. Garlir vs. Aura Owen et al, 1985

Litigation - June Harrison vs. City of N.O., 1986

Litigation - Mohr vs. APC, Buger King, et al, 1986

City of New Orleans - Tax Millage, 1972

City of New Orleans - Bonds, 1979

Bond Issue, 1986

Archeological Artifacts

AUDUBON PARK COMMISION

Concession..........1970 - 1988

Tischler, Douglass, Boat/Bike,

Train, Tennis, Tram, Skate,

Elephant, Golf, Stables, Food,

Beverage, NO Steamboat, Jr.

League

Locomotive 745 to OKRA ....c.1984

Donation By APC: Locomotive #745 to OKRA

Meyer Tischer, 1970

Leases - J.D. Douglass Concessions,Inc.,Food and Drink

Lease - J.D. Dougless Concessions, INC.,Correspondence File

Lease - Novelty Enterprises,INC., Amusement Rides

Litigation - APC vs. Commission Novelty Enterprises, INC. (Eviction Suit)

Bike and Boat Concession Agreement

Concession: Swan Boat, 1980-81

Concession Agreement, Train & Tennis, 1978-88

Contractual Correspondence Train & Tennis, 1977-88

Concession Agreement, Tram Ride, 1981

Contractual Correspondence, Tram Ride

Skate Concession, 1979

Contractual Correspondence, Skate Rentals

Contractual Correspondence, Elephant Rides

Golf Club, 1954-83

Contractual Correspondence, Audubon Golf Club thru '86

Concessions: N.O. Steamboat, 1980-86

Junior League, 1980-82

Stables - Al Smith (SAFE)

FOTZ Contractual Correspondence, Food and Gift, 1975-84

Concession Bids - 3/30/83

AUDUBON PARK COMMISSION

Meetings 1973 - 1976

Meetings 1979 - 1980

APC Board Meeting January 31, 1973

APC Board Meeting February 28, 1973

APC Board Meeting March 28, 1973

APC Board Meeting April 25, 1973

APC Board Meeting May 30, 1973

APC Board Meeting June 27,1973

APC Board Meeting July, 1973 (cancelled)

APC Board Meeting August 29, 1973

APC Board Meeting September 26, 1973

APC Board Meeting October 31, 1973

APC Board Meeting December 5, 1973

APC Board Meeting January 30, 1974

APC Board Meeting February 27, 1974

APC Board Meeting March 27, 1974

APC Board Meeting April 24, 1974

APC Board Meeting May 29, 1974

APC Board Meeting July 31, 1974

APC Board Meeting August 28, 1974

APC Board Meeting September 25, 1974

APC Board Meeting October 30, 1974

APC Board Meeting November 27, 1974

APC Board Meeting December 11, 1974

APC Board Meeting January 29, 1975

APC Board Meeting February 26, 1975

APC Board Meeting March 26, 1975

APC Board Meeting Special April 9, 1975

APC Board Meeting April 30, 1975

APC Board Meeting Public Meeting May 8, 1975 - (Miniature Train)

APC Board Meeting May 28, 1975

APC Board Meeting June 25, 1975

APC Board Meeting Special July 15, 1975

APC Board Meeting July 30, 1975

APC Board Meeting September 3, 1975

APC Board Meeting September 24, 1975

APC Board Meeting October 29, 1975

APC Board Meeting November 26, 1975

APC Public Meeting 2/19/76

APC Board Meeting February 25, 1975

APC Board Meeting March 31, 1976

APC Monthly Board Meeting April 28, 1976

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. May 26, 1976

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. June 30, 1976

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. July 28, 1976

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. August 25, 1976

Executive Committee September 9, 1976, 5 P.M.

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. September 29, 1976

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. October 27, 1976

Public Hearing - Tennis Courts November 17, 1976

Executive Committee Meeting November 30, 1976

APC Board Meeting December 1, 1976 at 4 P.M.

APC January 1979

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. March 7, 1979, Latter Library

APC March 1979

APC Board Meeting 4 P.M. April 25, 1979