Early Years
The history of the Potter Park Zoo begins in 1915, when J. W. and Sarah Potter donated 58 acres of land to Lansing that became Potter Park. Twenty-seven more acres were added in 1917, and in 1920 the first animals, elk from Moore's Park, were transferred to Potter Park. The first building, the Lion House, was built by the Works Progress Administration in 1930, and Monkey Island (now the Bighorn Sheep exhibit) followed in 1936, despite the financially tough years of the Great Depression. The Aviary was completed in 1941, and the barnyard in 1949.

Revitalizing the Zoo
The 1950s saw growth at the zoo as tigers, otters, kangaroos, and other animals were added to the collection. However, in the 1960s Potter Park began to fall into disrepair, and some people thought it should be closed. Help came in 1969 when Jim Hough, a columnist for the State Journal, brought together local residents to form the Friends of the Zoo Society. The Society helped raise money to purchase Bingo, the zoo's first elephant, in 1972 for $4,453. Tombi the elephant was purchased in 1979 after Bingo passed away.

More construction came in the 1970s and '80s. The zoo railroad that offered rides for 25 cents was added in 1974, and in 1982 the Aviary was refurbished and reopened after six years. Groundbreaking for the Penguin Exhibit began in 1985. In 1987 Spider Monkeys were added to Monkey Island and a $100,000 donation from Harold Gross helped begin renovations of the old Lion House into the Feline/Primate Building. The building opened in 1989 to rave reviews.


A New Society
In 1986 the Friends of the Zoo became the Potter Park Zoological Society, incorporated to continue the standard of excellence at the zoo. The first Docent class graduated in 1986 with 12 volunteer teachers. The Society now has over 100 volunteers.