The Akron Zoo is offering a special exhibit called “Celebrating Black History in Perkins Woods” for a limited run of Jan. 20 – March 7 in the zoo’s Nature’s Theater. This exhibit will explore the history of Perkins Woods, a city park where the Akron Zoo currently resides.
The exhibit will focus on three main topics – how Black residents in Akron expanded the John Brown Monument, fought a plan to move the zoo from Perkins Woods and operated a long-lived Custard Stand at the park’s edge.
“Celebrating Black History” is open during zoo operating hours of 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily and is included in general admission. During its run, the zoo will be offering five free days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20, Presidents’ Day on Feb. 17 and Inclusion Days on March 1-3.
The zoo has been working on developing this project since 2023, and worked with historians and a committee of community members that call the neighborhood surrounding Perkins Woods, and the zoo, home. Zoo staff was also in communication with living relatives of some of the historical figures.
“The Akron Zoo wouldn’t be the organization it is today without these instrumental residents,” said Michelle Camou, director of external affairs at the Akron Zoo. “It’s an honor to be able to tell these stories and to bring awareness of the lasting impact made by the Black community on the City of Akron.”
“The Akron Zoo has been committed to this effort,” said Malcolm Costa, president of Community Action Akron Summit and “Celebrating Black History” committee member. “It's been pleasurable working with the staff there, as well as the representatives of the community. We’re creating a real tremendous opportunity to engage as well as memorialize the giants that made the community stronger and more resilient.”