RZSS unveils 2026 Edinburgh Zoo archive display for 110 years
edinburgh zoo will display a newly digitised and documented archive at Lemur Lodge from 13th to 21st June 2026 as part of Memories Week. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland says the collection will give visitors access to never-before-seen photos, video and documents spanning more than 110 years.
David Field, the RZSS chief executive, said: "By sharing these archives wider, we are not only preserving the rich legacy of Edinburgh Zoo but inviting people to become part of it, learn more about how it all began and leave inspired about its exciting future." The archive includes material dating back to the founding of RZSS in 1909 and the opening of Edinburgh Zoo on 22 July 1913.
Lemur Lodge display
The public display will bring together a curated selection from the archive created with The University of Edinburgh’s Heritage Collections. RZSS says the archive includes photographs, letters, maps and original papers, along with materials from the university collection that will be shown as part of Memories Week.
Visitors and long-time supporters are being encouraged to visit the exhibition and share their memories. RZSS says people can bring treasured keepsakes with them to discuss their personal stories and hear from staff about the history of the souvenirs.
RZSS and Edinburgh archives
Daryl Green, associate director of Heritage Collections (Research & Curatorial) and co-director of the Centre for Research Collections at the University of Edinburgh, said: "There has been a deep and enduring connection between the University and Edinburgh Zoo, spanning many decades." He added: "We are so happy to work closely with The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to provide long-term access to the Zoo’s history, preserving the memories of the visitors, the staff and – most importantly, the animals who have shaped the last century."
The exhibition gives visitors a direct way to add their own stories to the archive display, with materials covering the years from 1909 through the zoo’s opening in 1913 and beyond. RZSS says the collection reveals the rich history behind Edinburgh Zoo, and the June display is the point where that material becomes visible to the public.
