RACINE, Wis. — A staple in Racine, Wis., the Racine Zoo, has started to celebrate 100 years since first opening its doors. The zoo, which sits along the lakefront, expanded from very humble beginnings.

"[The Racine Park Commissioner] Jacob Stoffel, Jr. started off by donating these two deer in February and a couple of monkeys in March [of 1923]," said Beth Heidorn, executive director of the Racine Zoo. "His dream came true when it opened its doors in the summer of 1923."

Heidorn was quick to point out that the zoo couldn't have remained open for the past century without an abundance of community support.

"We are such a community zoo," Heidorn said. "Once you're part of our family, you're really a part of our community family here at the Racine Zoo."

While there are a number of celebrations planned throughout the year, the centennial celebration is set to culminate on July 5.

Watch the full interview above.