In 1847 Andrew Downs, naturalist and taxidermist, established here the first zoological garden in America north of Mexico. When closed in 1868 it consisted of 100 acres of woodland, rock and stream and comprised birds and animals from different parts of the world, a greenhouse, an aquarium and a museum. For his skill in taxidermy Downs won medals at international exhibitions in London, Dublin and Paris. To his Garden came many distinguished visitors and from it specimens both living and dead were supplied to museums and private collections on both sides of the Atlantic.