Space Farms Zoo and Museum to celebrate 90 years on July 8

By Lori Space Day
Sussex — Space Farms Zoo and Museum was established in 1927 by Ralph and Elizabeth Space and will celebrate 90 years as one of the tri-state region’s favorite family attractions. Founder Ralph Space’s birthday was in July of 1902 and the celebration will take place at Space Farms on July 8.
Ralph and Elizabeth Space started their business with the purchase of a ¼ acre in downtown Beemerville. Buying the contiguous farms as they became available, the Space Family increased the acreage to four hundred and thirty five acres. Ralph developed a fox farm from the wild varmints he was hired to trap by the State of New Jersey. When the fox fur fad faded, Ralph changed into mink. At the same time the zoo evolved with other wildlife the locals had found and brought to Ralph, or that Ralph had captured alive. Ralph’s first zoo permit is on display dated 1928. The original zoo was called the Blue Ridge Wild Animal Farm and Indian Museum. Ralph’s Native American heritage made him a curious artifact hunter in his home village and throughout the south east U.S. His displays of Native American artifacts were the beginning of the Space Farms Museums. The Spaces also bought the neighboring Christy dairy farm in 1939. And that is how Space Farms got it’s name, from the three separate farms owned under one name.
After WWII Fred Space, Ralph’s son, decided to develop the zoo as his life long passion. The dairy and mink farm were phased out in the early seventies.
Today the Space Farms Zoo features over 500 animals of 100 different species. Space Farms has the largest private collection of North American animals, in their natural surroundings, in the United States. The zoo also has many exotic species from around the world. Space Farms is internationally famous for their bear and lion cub, elk and fallow deer breeding programs. Each specie’s natural enclosure has educational graphics to further the enjoyment of visitors. A trip to the country zoo thrills children of all ages as they stroll the grassy grounds and are able to feed animals in special animal access areas. Younger children love the attention of free roaming chickens, ducks and geese.
The Space Farms Museum contains over 50,000 artifacts, including 50 antique cars, motorcycles, farm implements, early American tools, dolls. clocks, tractors, horse drawn sleighs and Native American artifacts. Space Farms also has the second largest privately owned collection of antique firearms in the United States. A walk through the Space Farms Museum is a walk through time.
Space Farms is the oldest family attraction in the State of New Jersey still owned and operated by the original family.
“Our grandparents, Ralph and Elizabeth, would be proud of the four generations of family running their business,” said stae Assemblyman Parker Space (R-Sussex), 3rd generation. “We are happy to see generations of visitors helping us continue our family’s heritage.”
A special celebration is planned on July 8, starting at 11a.m. to 1 pm with Tweedles the Clown, 1 p.m. presentations from the Space Family, local dignitaries and at 2 p.m. Moreley the Magician will fascinate folks of all ages. A time line displayed on one wall shows the history of Space Farms and the Space Family. All generations of visitors are asked to bring a copy of a picture of themselves as a child at Space Farms for the Memory Wall.
Space Farms is open daily, 9a.m. to 5p.m. Space Farms is located at 218 County Route 519, in Sussex, N.J. Admissions are $18 per adult, $14.50 per child, $16.50 per senior. Group rates and birthday parties are available.
For more information please visit the website www.spacefarms.com. Or call 973-875-5800.