Cindy Provencher March 24, 2009 18:58:34 (EDT)

Hi Lisa: The town just got the park from the state, it is not open to the public yet.

Lisa from Sandown March 24, 2009 14:30:18 (EDT)

Hi Everyone,

I see that the old Benson Farm started to become a State park in 2002.. Does anyone know if I can park at one of the gates and walk around with my dogs? Or who I can inquire about this to? I would love the memories as it was one of my favorite child hood treats. I grew up in Salem, a few towns over.

Thanks for any help!
Lisa
Email: grandymajor@hotmail.com

Cindy(Martin) Provencher March 22, 2009 09:28:58 (EDT)

Hi Tom and Joan; Welcome aboard!! Trying to get a hold of you.. Hope to talk soon.

Deanna (Dwire) Nevins March 21, 2009 18:45:32 (EDT)

I worked at the park the last two years is was open, while I was in high school. I now teach biology at Alvirne, and my students live to hear stories about Benson's, and I have shared pictures of myself holding the Burmese pythons, which they loved! I would probably still work there if it was open as a zoologist. I used to babysit for Jay and Kathy in their house across from the office occasionally, and I remember them having baby tiger cubs in there once, which was awesome. I wanted to be a veterinarian, and I had wanted to work there rather than a practice treating domestic animals.

I came across this website recently, it looks like it was posted sometime last month. Arthur is selling a huge assortment of elephant collectible. It is really neat to see, but a little out of my price range.
http://everythingelephants.com/Elephants_For_Sale_Collection_Arthur.htm

Tom and Joan Seller March 21, 2009 17:21:16 (EDT)

Hi, everyone. Joan was art director and I installed and maintained the park's audio equipment. We lived on Greeley Street, only a minute or two from the park. We are sorry to learn that Connie Z. died. Does anyone know the details of her passing (cause, date)? We were especially fond of Arthur P. and wonder about his whereabouts now. Joan has lots of examples of her art work promoting the park and we hope to post it soon. What has become of Pat and Donna Quinn? We E-mailed them sometime ago at their Florida zoo but no reply. . . .Hope to hear from those of you who remember us.

Anonymous March 18, 2009 07:28:37 (EDT)

Hello, i am an urban explorer from New Hampshire. I have lived here my entire life and just learned about Benson's last year. A friend of mine told me about it and I have yet to make a trip to explore. While doing some research about the history of the place, I was amazed at the history and all the wonderful things that took place there. Now don't take it that I want to explore this place to do graffiti, I merely want to take photo's so that I can capture the essence of the past and of New Hampshire's history. A big question arose though while doing some research, and that was why many items of Benson's have Nashua, N.H. on them when the park is located in Hudson. If anybody could answer this, it would be much appreciated. I do and will check the board often, I love this state and the history. Also, if anybody knows of any other abandoned buildings with historical significance, I would love to find out about them. Most preferably abandoned so that it will be easier to get in and take the photo's and leave. Thank you very much, The New Hampshire Urban Explorer.

Cindy Provencher March 14, 2009 15:33:24 (EDT)

What a difference a week makes, come back from vacation and see a few names from the past. Hi to all.

Bruce March 13, 2009 17:42:16 (EDT)

Hey Ken,so glad your still around give me a few more clues, at my age you tend to forget certian things, Always up for brews and babbleing.. See ya in June!! Do you ever run into Tim and Skip Dutton?

D. March 13, 2009 14:30:04 (EDT)

I remember the huge elephant statue that all the kids used to try to climb up onto but it was impossible. I drove over toward that property about 10 years ago (I think) and you could see where the paths used to be. We have tons of family photos at the place.

Kenny Brown March 13, 2009 06:56:55 (EDT)

I heard about this site from my parents Tom & Jeanne Brown who talked with Jim Guill( Yes, Tom the painter & his wife are still around). This site is a blast from the past!It seems like years ago when Jim & I were cleaning up dung from Queen & Liz so Larry & Bret could work their magic for the show. My first experience working in the "elephant barn" is when Larry had Jim & I pull weeds from the exterior of the outside pen and me getting too close to a friendly leopard reaching out,swatting me on the head. And then me dripping with blood having to go to the office and show Larry. ( I said to myself, Don't think Larry will keep me around here for long).I still remember playing with "bo" in the office, Me falling on my *&$! when I was trying to pull Larry through thw window with the camel leash getting ready for my prestigious job as the camel hearder giving rides(He will remember that!) Or the day Jim & I helped Larry with a photo shoot, only to find ourselves trying to push that 2 ton baby elephant from squishing Larry. Bruce,do you remember the conversation we had when we had a certain act return the following year, only to find there was an addition.....were you joking??? :) Anybody up for beers and a few stories?I'll drop in & check the board.

Larry Records March 4, 2009 20:16:39 (EDT)

Hi everyone. We just sort of stumbled across this site. It's great to see a bunch of familiar names and know you're alive and well. For those of you that don't know me I was Benson's elephant trainer from Dec.'79 to Dec.'84 also training lions, tigers and bears the last two years. After Benson's I married Lee Burpee who worked the black & white liberty horses at Benson's. We have operated Records & Burpee traveling Children's Zoo since '87. The last few years our petting zoo played the Deerfield NH fair. There I saw and visited with Arthur Provencher, Jimmy and Vikki Guill, Jackie Durette and Fred Shepard. This site is a great opertunity to find out what happened to friends we have not heard about for a long time. It is also great to hear from so many Bensons enthusiasts. We all hold a special place in our heart for the park. No doubt one reason that it seems so special is that it no longer exists, kind of like Camelot. I am about to enter my 39th season in this business and the 5 at Benson's were among the best. I will always be greatful to Pat Quinn and Arthur Provencher for the chance to be a part of it.

Hudson Hawk February 28, 2009 15:12:52 (EDT)

I seem to recall reading awhile back that Palmer Vo-Tech wanted the land for a Ag science and business curriculum.

Cindy Provencher February 26, 2009 11:37:10 (EDT)

Hi everyone, I've been to a few commitee meetings and there was no mention of Stimulus Funding.

Bruce February 26, 2009 08:49:43 (EDT)

I would guess not to be true .I`m sure someone from the Bensons committee could answer that question.

Benson Democrat February 25, 2009 18:03:51 (EDT)

Any truth to the rumor that Benson's is getting $30M in Stimulus funding?

Toni February 25, 2009 08:05:46 (EDT)

I don't know Bruce - maybe everyone is just hibernatig. You know, it is nearing the end of winter, freezing outside, some are tired of dealing with snow. Maybe we all just need 80 degrees, some sunshine, flip flops and everything else that goes with warm summer days. I can remember some crazy times back in the Benson days on those summer days...

Charlie February 24, 2009 10:54:07 (EDT)

The site is running ok..just everybody being quiet

bruce February 24, 2009 07:54:52 (EDT)

Hey friends of bensons, I`ve had problems with my computer.This website seems too quite, Is my computer not working properly? The last entery was from --Susan M.

Susan M February 12, 2009 16:48:49 (EDT)

I am sorry to hear about Tony.. Why don't anyone idea to put status of Tony in the park where Benson's animal park ?? People remind of Tony the gorilla and share many memories...