Welcome to www.zmdstl.org, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District website. Here you will find information about the District and its Subdistrict cultural institutions.
In 1972, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District – the Zoo Museum District – was formed. Through the District, the citizens and taxpayers of St. Louis City and County make possible the extraordinary quality of five institutions that are essential to life in St. Louis: the Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, Botanical Garden and History Museum.
Each institution is now at the top of its class. Visionary leadership and broad support from donors and friends have been crucial in each organization’s growth and development from good attractions to great institutions. The significant, continuous, annual funding that taxpayers provide through the Zoo Museum District has been and remains the foundation of an extraordinary array of community assets.
The Zoo Museum District is a national model. It is the first and most successful regional cultural district in the nation to fund institutions that enhance a community’s quality of life. With taxpayer support through the District, five institutions are easily accessible to all and among the best anywhere.