Cindy Provencher January 26, 2010 09:19:03 (EDT)

Hi Everyone went to a Benson Park meeting last night. Spring is just around the corner and we're gearing up for the up coming year with on going projects and clean up so that we can get this place open. We're still looking for your help on different committees. If interested please email me and I will get your name to the right people.. Thank you for all your love and interest on this project.
Cindy Provencher

art sawyer January 23, 2010 12:19:48 (EDT)

lije to help this year miss all the good people

Pat Fitzwilliams January 22, 2010 20:33:46 (EDT)

My Mom had an old picture (early 1950's) of me and a neighbor taken with some cement Lions. I think it was at Bensons. Does anyone remember these. I don't remember seeing them later when I took my daughter there.

Chuck C. January 16, 2010 21:11:23 (EDT)

Dane Cook's stand-up comedy mentioned Benson's. I had to go check it out. Man, I had so many good family memories at that place during the 70s. Not too many people can say a chimp held his hand out for peanuts and then when I went to give him one, he dropped it and grabbed my finger!!! My friends and I were laughing so hard until I saw his teeth. I got out his hold and gave him some peanuts by tossing them.
So now we go to Charmingdale Farm and stay farm away from their reach. ;-)

Steve January 16, 2010 18:28:11 (EDT)

Nashua Telegraph staff photo by Bob Hammerstrom of Ruth, a 51-year-old Asian elephant who was a former resident of Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson. She's been living at the Buttonwood Park Zoo for more than 20 years now.

Ruth at the Buttonwood Park Zoo

Nashua Telegraph article

Lisi January 7, 2010 14:10:51 (EDT)

Wow. I just found this site today. I recognize some of the names from when I worked concessions there in the early 80s (and my sister Cammie worked animal crew). I still chuckle when I think of some of the things that I witnessed/experienced there (a man telling his son, while looking at the chinchillas in the petting zoo, that we had successfully crossed a rabbit with a mouse...or the time Emmy Lou the emu went nutty and zipped around the park at top speed). So many fond memories of those summers. I live in Illinois, but I am glad to see that there is an effort to revitalize the area.

Brenda January 3, 2010 20:57:45 (EDT)

I went walking in Bensons over this past summer. I was so cool seeing all the old buildings.

Cheryl January 3, 2010 17:26:50 (EDT)

I was a young girl in the late 60's and worked on Stand 5.
Jim Murray was a new manager in a bright orange cart !
I earned 1.20 per hour.

I spent many of my lunch breaks visiting Judy the Gibbon Monkey in her tiny cage in the monkey house.
Does anyone know what became of her ?

I was also there when poor little Tony was snatched from his mom and brought to live in solitary confinement at Bensons. I finally felt happy about him when I saw his picture in the Telegraph sitting with his little friends. He at last had a family.

Bensons was a great park but a horrible zoo.

Remember the poor polar bear and how he paced back and forth in that little tub of water.
?
and Betsy in chains in the elephant barn.

Thank God Queen and Liz made it to the Elephant Sanctuary !
Sadly Queen died but at least she had freedom before she passed.
I wish Ruth was there too.

I am glad to know the park is being cleaned up though, it seems a shame that it's sat so long with no care.
Good luck to all who wish to enjoy it once again.

Cheryl

Richard Kunst January 3, 2010 16:17:21 (EDT)

Hey everybody, For some strange reason the thought of Benson's poped into my head and i jumped on the computer to check it out. It's cool to see so many people are on the message board. I use to go to Benson's every year with my family when i was a kid.(1955-1965 or so)I live on Long Island, N.Y. now. The Maze was probably my favorite. But the elephant show and the ape house were among the best too. Anyway, just got a kick out seeing your messages.. Ric

Jay January 1, 2010 17:18:16 (EDT)

Happy New Year All !!!

Jay December 28, 2009 17:11:16 (EDT)

Jamie, glad to see another old Benson employee on here, many of us have reconnected thru facebook and we had a small get together this past summer in Hudson. Hoping to plan something again and try and get as many old employees there as we can. Great your here but join the facebook as well. Jay Knox

Cindy (Martin) Provencher December 28, 2009 14:59:26 (EDT)

Hey Jamie How the h-ll are you, long time no see. hope your christmas was a happy and well one. What are you doing now? Bruce, Bret, Kathy and Jay Knox are on facebook you should come on and chat

James "Jamie" Clement December 28, 2009 03:26:43 (EDT)

Hello Benson's! I'm Jamie Clement, I worked at Bensons 4 years in the late seventies. I was there during The Provenchers purchase and ensuing years. I worked the animal department mostly with the elephants and cats but also cared for almost every animal there at one time or another. I also handled the animal department purchasing (feed & supplies) and plowed snow in the winter. I remember one slim winter when the animal department was shrunk to minimal. It was Bruce Ashmore, Cindy Martin, Tim & Skip Dutton, Harvey Jamison and myself. It was much work especially when Skip had his day off because then I took care of the Gorilla and bears on top of the elephants (3) and all the cats (37). I was there when Jackie 1 died and Jackie 2 arrived. I performed daily with the elephants and assisted with many other animal acts. I lived in the big Grey house on the hill and pretty much breathed Bensons. I loved it there. I could go on with many stories. My time at Bensons is well cherished as well as the friends I made there. I went on for a long career working with elephants all around the world most notably performing with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus elephants 81-87 and touring with my own elephant Moxie and horses 87-97. I really liked Arthur Provencher and had great respect for what he was doing there. I always thought of him as a man with vision. I was very sad when it closed but am happy that it has not just disappeared. Bensons was a very important part of my life and the direction I went. I have many of photos I need to scan plus memorabilia I saved. I would very much like to hear from anyone that knows me.

jJerry D December 24, 2009 12:14:28 (EDT)

Merry Christmas everyone. thanks for sharing all the great stories!

Charlie December 24, 2009 08:52:37 (EDT)

Jocko the mandrill Got It...because every time that I would say it to him he would grab his leg and give me a big toothy smile..Happy Holidays to all

Bret December 24, 2009 08:16:25 (EDT)

Christmas stirs many great memories of Bensons. I spent more than of a dozen of them there. The Elephant Barn was much like a second home to me - as was the park. Many great times and great friends. It was always a special 'short' day to go in and take care of the 'critters'...and wish them a Merry Christmas. Though I'm sure, 'most' of them didn't get it. Merry Christmas everyone and have a great New Year. Thanks again Steve!

Susan M December 23, 2009 08:41:38 (EDT)

Merry Christmas to all of you and Cindy, you can e-mail me with more information for next clean up. Stay healthy and warm !

Susan Morin

Cindy Provencher December 23, 2009 06:18:06 (EDT)

Tom & Joan hope all is well with the both of you this Christmas season Love to you both from our house to yours
Love Cindy & Dennis

Tom Seller December 21, 2009 16:28:27 (EDT)

Merry Christmas to all former Benson's people! (Note that we are not afraid to use the word Christmas!)

--Tom and Joan Seller