Archive Dive: A Look Back at New England Aquarium Over the Years

The New England Aquarium first opened its doors to the public on June 20, 1969. Some things have changed a lot over the years (did you know we used to have beavers?) and some, like Myrtle in the Giant Ocean Tank, have always been a part of the Aquarium.

Most importantly, for all this time, we’ve been working to inspire people to love the ocean and take action to protect it. Dive into our archives below for a look at the history of the Aquarium!

Winter wonderland

We’ve had African penguins at the Aquarium since we opened in 1969, but they previously resided in a smaller exhibit on the second floor. The original exhibit had only 10 African penguins in the colony.

Another key feature from the original exhibit? Artificial ice and snow! Although it may seem like penguins belong in the snow, African penguins are a temperate species, meaning they thrive in temperatures between 42º-68º F. Our current exhibit was designed to replicate their wild habitat, which encourages natural penguin behaviors.

Myrtle memories

Myrtle has called the New England Aquarium home since 1970, when she arrived from an aquarium in Provincetown, MA. She is between 73–93 years old and divers—past and present—say she’s always eager for a shell scratch or two!

Hoover says hello

Hoover, the “talking” Atlantic harbor seal, was rescued as a pup by a fisher after he was found abandoned on the shore in Harpswell, ME.

Once Hoover arrived at the Aquarium, his trainers soon realized he was very skilled at vocalizing! He could say “hello there,” “come on,” and “hey.” Hoover was featured in publications like Reader’s Digest and the New Yorker, and even showcased his vocal talents on Good Morning America.

Hoover passed away in 1985 after spending 14 years in our care, but his chatty legacy lives on through his grandson, Chacoda, who you can visit at the Aquarium today. Just like Hoover, Chacoda is also very skilled with vocalizations and can “say” a few phrases of his own!

Baby beavers

Beaver kits Scooter and Fats arrived at the Aquarium in the early 1980s, quickly adapting to human care. While living behind the scenes, they were featured in our animal encounter programs and helped visitors connect with wildlife.

We had the honor of looking after Scooter and Fats for about two years, ensuring they were well cared for with plenty of enrichment and attention. In 1985, we found them a permanent home where they could continue to thrive!

The big ship Discovery

Did you know that we used to have a multi-story floating barge in Central Wharf called the Discovery?

Launched in April of 1974 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and delivered to us on July 4 of that year, the Discovery became a marine mammal pavilion for dolphins and sea lions.

The Discovery’s 100,000-gallon pool was home to California sea lions and bottlenose dolphins before it was decommissioned in 2005, and the remaining animals were rehomed to other organizations.

Ready to make your own Aquarium memories? Visit the New England Aquarium and share your favorite moments with us on social media!