Paul Foster April 27, 2009 23:54:00 (EDT)

Hello all. I walked the property on April 25 and it's true that there isn't much left. The gorilla cage is striking and spooky and there is a fairly intact monkey cage--intact meaning that it hasn't been broken into and spray-painted. There was even an overturned water dish in that particular cage.

As far as access, I drove around scouting the back entrance and the front one (near Burger King) and all I saw was 'Motorized Vehicles Prohibited' signs. I parked at BK and walked in what would have been the main entrance. Eventually, a Hudson PD officer approached--he was patrolling the park on a 4-wheeler. I told him I was taking pictures and he had absolutely no problem with that. He said there was another group in the property doing the same and also a few people on horses. He wished me a good day and drove off.

I only wish I'd learned about this easy access a dozen years ago--when there would have been more artifacts, more of the park intact, and less destruction.

Still, a rich and rewarding experience to walk around in there and remember what it was--especially if you have "Remembering Benson's" with you or some postcards or images in your mind...

A Bensons Alumni April 26, 2009 11:49:58 (EDT)

Chris, from my knowledge a variety of things occured to the buildings after the State of N.H. took possession. Some unsecured buildings were victims of arson. Most of the structures were allowed to decay and finally bulldozed by the State. The State of New Hampshire displayed very little if any concern for the historical value of the property, sadly. The remaining property does have great potential as a recreation park, etc. Optimistically, the Town of Hudson and the 'Committee' will be able to accomplish some constructive and positive things with the site.

Chris April 25, 2009 11:10:05 (EDT)

I just recently walked the property last weekend. I didn't see any no tresspassing signs so I gave it go. I'm 24 yrs old, although my parents did take me to Bensons I was too young to remember. I can't wait to see this property turn into a public park. Although the buildings have gone into a state of disrepair it is easy to see how the property will be a treasure to the town of Hudson. The pond area has alot of potential, and although weeds need to be cut down around it and a few items of garbage need to be removed overall the pond is not in bad shape. I just picked up Remembering Benson's by Bob Goldsack. With all the buildings that were on the property what happened to them after the park closed? Stuff like concesion stands, bathrooms, other buildings etc? Were they demolished by the state when they took control or were they removed after the closing of the park?

the whole one April 24, 2009 12:00:19 (EDT)

animal you must not be a boring middle class white person........

Dane Cook April 24, 2009 09:19:19 (EDT)

my dad always used to tell me we were going to go to bensons. he would tell me every saturday night that we would leave sunday morning at 8am but there was always one sure sign that we werent going. he would go to bed at 7:59. We would wake him up, and ya know when ever we would wake up my dad it would be like he was coming out of an exorcism. we would say dad dad dad come on you promised! his famous line was "hey bensons isnt going any where." WELL GUESS WHAT DAD IT DID!!! IT WENT SOME WHERE!!!!

steve April 23, 2009 11:53:53 (EDT)

Click here for a high-resolution scan of the Benson's map.

steve April 21, 2009 10:41:32 (EDT)

Here's a map. Thanks, Kathy!

Kathy April 20, 2009 17:49:54 (EDT)

You must have the same one I have, Cin. But I scanned it and sent it to Steve and he's gonna post it soon. It's just the little one you got with the tickets that showed where the exhibits were but anything helps with the condition of the park as is.

cindy April 19, 2009 22:30:16 (EDT)

Hey Peter if you find an old map let know. I have one but it is hard to see.

Peter April 12, 2009 22:04:34 (EDT)

I just took my daughter there. She had to do a photo project for school and we were in the area. I used to make my folks take me there in the 60's Wish I could remember the layout more. Tried to guess with my daughter what the various cages or buildings were for. It was nice to wander through a part of it. I think I found the old elephant house, but I just don't remember the layout any more.

I do hope something positive could come out of the place.

Now to try and find an old map.

KateB April 12, 2009 02:10:39 (EDT)

Yo! Loved that place when I was a kid. Dane Cook brought it all back. Too bad Benson's went away!!!!!!!

Animal April 11, 2009 23:24:09 (EDT)

I know Dane Cook is for boring middle class white people and lame frat boys, BUT I want you to know this famous comedian spoke of a tale of going to Bensons and how it closed, etc. in his MSG comedy special

Jim April 6, 2009 21:55:12 (EDT)

I think every kid growing up in the city of Lowell during the 60's and 70's has been here anually via school trips!!
Nice Pictures! Good memories! Nasty monkeys*@##!!!!

LUZELLA April 3, 2009 17:54:29 (EDT)

SORRY WE KIDS CALL HER SUNSHINE, BUT HER NAME WAS SOMETHING LIKE LISA NOT SURE.

luzella April 3, 2009 17:40:58 (EDT)

I WENT TO THE FARM EVERY YEAR FOR SCHOOL TRIP. THEN I TOOK MY KIDS TO SEE IT THE YEARS BEFORE IT CLOSED I REMEMBER THAT A BABY ELEPHANT WAS BORN AT THE TIME I WENT HER NAME WAS SUNSHINE, WHEN I TOOK MY BOYS SHE WAS STILL THERE BUT NOW VERY OLD. I WISH THEY COULD BRING IT BACK. I THINK KIDS TODAY MIGHT LIKE TO SEE THE ANIMALS AND LITTLE GIRLS WOULD LIKE THE "OLD STORY BOOK LAND" IS THERE ANY THING ANY ONE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN,,PS I NOW LIVE IN CT --LUZELLA ROOS '

Kerry April 2, 2009 13:37:45 (EDT)

Hi there,
Does anybody remember the animatronic show that played there? I am wondering because my boyfriend actually designed/did the voices for the show and we had heard one of his shows ended up being sold to BAF.

Jane April 1, 2009 21:34:32 (EDT)

A bit of an odd question here - was there ever a clown train ride at this farm? somebody posted a picture of an abandoned children's ride in a photography blog, but did not know where the photo was taken. One person said it was from Benson's Animal Farm. I am too young to have visited when it was open and it sounds as though the area is still closed to the public, so checking the farm personally is not possible.

a link to the picture: http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/thumb/0/0f/Creepy_Thread.jpg/500px-Creepy_Thread.jpg (it can be a little unsettling...but maybe not if you remember it during happier times?)

on a related note, like NH Urban Explorer I would love to be able to take some photos of this site before reconstruction takes place, but I wouldn't want to break any local laws, either...is it possible to visit now, or would that count as trespassing?

thanks!

AL Hamer March 30, 2009 16:32:47 (EDT)

I cannot believe it, I found this site after a Google search I did because I read in the Lowell sun that a local school received a pop corn machine from the Old Bensons. I wanted to see if there were any old pictures from that old place. I pass it every once in awhile with my kids, and I tell them stories of how I went there as a boy, and they just groan because all they can see is over growth and the same stories I tell them over and over again. I still live in the area and remember fondly the field strips and family visits to Bensons Wild animal park. I want to just drive there and park the car and see if I can walk around, does anyone know if that is possible?

SHELBY March 28, 2009 22:06:16 (EDT)

IT WAS MY QUEST TO GO TO BENSON'S JUST LIKE DANE COOK NOT COOL NOT COOL AT ALL:(!!!