Emily July 9, 2008 21:40:32 (EDT)

I totally agree with you Alex.
But it's a hazard in every way, shape and form.
But who gives a _________?
It's Bensons animal farm!
Dane Cook never went.
D:
Support the Dane Cook fund.
(I'm kidding, so don't respond asking to donate.)

steve (webmaster) July 8, 2008 19:24:23 (EDT)

Here's another Benson's photo from Bret Bronson:

He wrote:

This is the last photo I have of the last 4 Bensons elephants. From R.toL. 'Liz', 'Queen', 'Jackie', and 'Tanya'. Liz & Queen are Asians while Jackie and Tanya are Africans. Queen passed away in April '08 and 'Jackie' passed away in '05 I believe. Last I heard, 'Liz' is still doing well at the Tenn. sanctuary. 'Tanya' eventually and fortunately, ended up at the Montgomery Zoo, Ala. She actually delivered a female calf last November '07.

The enclosed photo was taken at Bensons, Oct. '87 in a field area directly behind the old Meadows. It's a bit dark but hopefully of use and interest.

Alex July 6, 2008 22:33:31 (EDT)

I WANNA RIDE THE ZIPPER AND SMASH MY TEETH OUTTA MY FACE

Tim Allen July 6, 2008 22:32:55 (EDT)

My wife and I took our kids out to the Bensons facility today. It looks like it is really fading into the past. The shoe is falling apart now, and lots of the roads were flooded out. Still, it was nice to see as much of it as there is still there. I have photos, if I can post them here, I will.

Kathy July 2, 2008 10:52:18 (EDT)

I'm with you too, Chainz. As a resident and a former employee of Bensons, I'd love to see that land preserved in memory of a place that has touched so many lives. We've been trying to get the town to buy the preservation rights to our own land not far from Bensons. This is one of the few areas left in this town with a good amount of undeveloped acreage and wonderful woods and wetlands. It's home to enough wild life to start another 'mini Bensons'!
And, Fred, even tho you don't live in hudson, you could still attend the town meeting. Although you won't be able to speak, I would hope there were enough people there who share your feelings and would voice your opinions as well.

Angela July 2, 2008 08:46:24 (EDT)

I'm just wondering what buildings still stand at Benson's today?

Fred July 1, 2008 18:36:25 (EDT)

Chainz, I'm with you on this. We need to preserve Bensons. What do we do? What can we do. The town needs to step up to the plate! The citizens need to voice their opinions to the town meetings. Unfortunately, I live in Pelham, so I cannot attend. We need to do act upon this before the condos come to town!

chainz June 30, 2008 22:28:12 (EDT)

I just took the kids through for our usual tour,still deserted and run down.I had hoped when i logged on i would have seen some response to my past messages,ie thoughts on preservation projects etc,we still need a building for the seniors who made this town and we still have a barn with plenty of parking.Well I will continue my little crusade to save us from another piece of crap condo developement.I guess our lazy polititions do not understand the deal they could have had,188thousnd for 165 acres.That was a steal,all we had to do was restore some buildings,so now the deed sits in Concord without Hudson written on it and we get to breathe dust from the asbestos pile in the middle of the place.Thanks for nothing,town polititions.I bet when the builders/friends of yours decide to build more unoccupied condos ie sheppards hill on the property,you will have the asbestos removed for them.So for now I will keep hoping I hit the lottery,say hello if you see me in there,maybe we can start a march on town hall,then to concord.SAVE BENSONS

Donna June 28, 2008 16:55:29 (EDT)

I had a great time working at Benson's and living on the grounds. How many people can say that they fell asleep to the sounds of peacocks, elephants and lions? I worked there for several years, from the day that Arthur bought it, while I was in college. My best pals, Jay and Cathy were there too. What a great time!!

Andrew June 28, 2008 10:57:24 (EDT)

Hey Mark, I remember driving that car to go get you guys. I also remember that we put so many kids into that car at the same time it would hardly move. lol

Mark Caswell June 27, 2008 22:41:52 (EDT)

Benson's was one of my favorite places to go as a child.we would go, at least once a year. As a teen I went to the Boys Club of Nashua. Bensons recruited about 8 of us to work their Parade. I beleive we went 2~3 times a week. I usually got to wear the "toy soldier" Body. This was great fun. The perks were free admission to the park for the afternoon and a two dollar certificate for Snacks. Me and my friends would ride the Tilt-a-wirl until we were sick. Ill never forget the yellow Olds Vista cruiser with the "zoo" liscense plate they used to trasport us. Great Memories.

starsha June 25, 2008 20:08:27 (EDT)

excellent memories of elephant ride on Betsy and tortoise rides.
ALso aligator pond over the bridge, and the rides. The beautiful ponds.
Just thought of the place and have not been there in 46 years.
Can someone start a petiton nd try to get enough signatures to keep it as a city (town) park.
With all the people responding via internet, there should be enough of us.
God bless you Benson's Wild Animal Farm lovers each and every one and all the animals that gave us such joy and pleasure.

Lynda (Wright) Dube June 25, 2008 17:26:51 (EDT)

It's funny how we all thought Benson's would have been there and we would be there forever. I kick myself for not taking more pictures and kick myself more for not keeping copies of the newsletters. Does anyone have a copy of my favorite one regarding guard duty at the familiar petting zoo? I will always remember walking the park interviewing different employees for their input for the newsletter and especially the initial preparation of the park's opening in Spring. I look so forward to telling stories to my grandchildren about their grandmother actually raising 4 bears (Honey, Ginger, Levi and Wrangler). I look back and thank God for the gift of Benson's in my life. It will always be the best thing that ever happened to me and the best people I can call family and friends. Anyone know the status of Paula Stewart who did the sea lion show?

Steve (webmaster) June 24, 2008 12:54:57 (EDT)

Here are links to the Benson's Animal Farm videos on google video (YouTube). Thanks to all who contributed.

Home movies from 1963.

Dane Cook's Benson's Animal Farm, Anime.

Ernie's Home Movies: Benson's Animal Farm 1963.

Benson's Animal Park 20 Years later.

Benson's Animal Farm ruins. Very sad

And one more brief glimpse at a
Benson's clip that starts 1:10 into video. Views of the Totem Pole @ 1:40.

skip dutton June 23, 2008 21:44:08 (EDT)

Hi, Every buddy.Miss the place a lot.I have a big photo album with lots of pictures i took of benson's from 1970's to when it closed.As soon as i find them i will post.This is a great site.Thanks for the memorys.

Steve (webmaster) June 22, 2008 20:13:12 (EDT)

I just received this message and some great old Bensons pictures from Bret Bronson. Click on the pictures for super-high-resolution scans.

Happened to be looking at Bensons site and saw you've added a variety of photos. I worked at the park from May '80 thru its closure in '87, actually until the following February. I was the elephant trainer/asst. curator. I was one of the few remaining zoo staff/employees that stayed to move several hundred animals after the auction of October. I stayed on also to care for some of the remaining animals, until their departure. Elephants, I helped transport to Illinois. Cared for 'Tony' the gorilla thru about same time.

Thought I'd send along some old photos I just realized I had. They were left over in a file cabinet at the gorilla house about a year after the park closed. No date on actual photos but I am guessing they range from the late 50's thru early 70's.

Photos include Joe Arcaris showing his lions in the arena that was adjacent to the elephant performance area.

I believe fellow with elephants is Pinky Madison with 'Queen', 'Liz', and 'Ruth'.

Roland Tiebor is the fellow shown with the sea lions.

Photo of grounds is taken from roughly existing old office building looking towards hill that has 'Old Shoe'.

The other photo is taken from what was the back gate at office looking into park.

Hope these are of interest.

Bensons had an amazing history, much of which most folks aren't aware of. It was a daily adventure working there. Something good, bad, unusual...or all of the above was always happening. I worked at several private zoo prior to and since Bensons. Unfortunately, no longer in animal/park business. However, I've never been involved with a place that had the lingering 'comraderie' and sentimental stirrings as Bensons.

Thanks
Bret Bronson

Larry Fleming June 22, 2008 11:52:06 (EDT)

I don't know what got me to remembering Benson's this morning, it's been over 50+ years now since going once :-( I was about 5 and my sister Pat was about 2 Mom pregnant with Patrick. One thing that sticks out in my mind's eye is the Train Ride & Elephant. The children of today will never know these type memories.

Lynda (Wright)Dube June 20, 2008 10:04:51 (EDT)

Hi, Jodi. Remember me? I was secretary to your dad and used to take you shopping when you were just a teenager. I work in Nashua, and every once in a while see the name Jodi as one of my customers, and wonder if it is one and the same as you. It was nice reading your message. Met with your dad a couple of weeks ago to reminisis about the old days..he is still a very interesting man and I look forward to rekindling the friendship. We came in contact when he attended the funeral services of my exhusband and still best friend, Daniel Dube. You may remember him, as doing all the fiberglass figures (frog boats, carousel horses, etc) at Bensons. Miss the place and all the family.

Carrot June 19, 2008 13:58:41 (EDT)

What wonderful memories I have of visiting Benson's as a kid. It seemed as if it wasn't really summer vacation without a visit. I particularly remember the giant tortoises and the fountain in the middle of the pond near the entrance.