Eileen Wirth Libros

Long ranked as one of the top zoos in America and even the world, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's history has remained untold, until now. Beginning as little more than a menagerie, the zoo transformed into a spectacular attraction that now draws two million visitors per year. Supporters responded to innovative features such as the iconic desert dome, the new African Grasslands exhibit, the indoor jungle and the all-encompassing aquarium. More than just a showcase, the zoo also supports renowned wildlife conservation and research programs that help preserve endangered species ranging from coral reefs to tigers. Author Eileen Wirth celebrates the history and promising future of the landmark that continues to elicit great local pride.

From the towers of St. Cecilia's Cathedral to the Buddhist statuary garden visible from North Omaha's Sorensen Expressway, Omaha's physical expressions of worship represent the world's major faiths. Images of America: Omaha's Historic Houses of Worship tells the story of how Omahans since the 1850s have created religious buildings and landmarks all over the city as expressions of their beliefs and identities. Images in this book include buildings in the National Register of Historic Places and on local landmarks lists. Through historical religious photographs, readers will learn the colorful tales of the buildings' creations and see how today's Omahans are building the next chapter in the ongoing story of the city's religious landscape.

In Omaha, an evening stroll can provide passage into a fascinating past. Travel from a madam's elaborate grave in North Omaha to the site of the first U.S. airmail flight in Aksarben. Chase down the echoes of a Duke Ellington performance at the Dreamland Ballroom in the Jewell Building. Stow away on a tour that treats the whole city like a museum. Colorful street murals and Gilded Age mansions stand in as exhibits alongside the more traditional offerings of state markers and archival collections. Gain fresh appreciation for familiar landscapes and famous landmarks as Eileen Wirth and Carol McCabe move through Omaha neighborhood by neighborhood.