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Click here to see some pictures of Benson's that Kathy just sent me. Thanks, Kathy!
Kathy
June 16, 2008 14:38:01 (EDT) |
Hi Jodi, It's been a very long time but of course I remember you. Please say 'hello' to your dad for me. He use to get the biggest kick out of riding the elephants with me in the daily parade and people would ask..."Are you Mr. & Mrs. Benson?"
Hello all of you benson's fans. I am very proud to say that i was extremely fortunate, because my father was the owner of the park from 1978 to 1988. When the park closed that was one of the saddest days of my life. I was pregnant with my first child when we closed,so unfortunately my son never got the chance to see the wonderful things i did or get to experience all the joy the park had to offer. I must say that it is really great to see this site!!! I was really Psyched to see all the pictures and see that there are so many people who loved the place as much as i did, and miss it as much as i do. I would like to personally thank all of you who write in and all of you who are as sad as i am to hear that they will once again be raping the land for more unwanted housing development. Personally like any other historical place i though we were suppose to preserve historical sites and buildings, not disregard them like yesterdays trash. Benson's is a part of not only Hudson's history, but it's a HUGE part of New Hampshire's History, and its a shame that not even a little part of the land could be set aside and dedicated somehow to the park. Again thank you all who keep the memory alive through this and other websites. I will forever have the memory, and every so often like now i look back on "THE GOOD OLD DAYS"! Thanks Again... Sincerely Jodie Provencher
Kathy
June 14, 2008 10:31:35 (EDT) |
Oh yeah, Benson's at Christmastime!!! I'd nearly forgotten that incredible time of year at the park. My winter job there was "have your picture taken with a python". My nights were spent inside the elephant barn with either Mary or Margo, two Burmese pythons about 10 feet long. People would line up to sit in a chair while I wrapped a snake around their neck and had their picture taken. I hardy got outside at all. But I'll never forget the first night I did get out and walk through the park. It was an incredible sight, almost surreal. Tall pine trees fully decorated with lights and ornaments, every building outlined with lights, Christmas music playing throughout the park and a dusting of snow. It took my breath away! Those WERE the days.
Roger
June 13, 2008 18:44:36 (EDT) |
I was Spring Cleaning today and came across a little squerril that belonged to my mother, I remember my father buying it for her at Benson's. I was raised in Lynn Massachusetts and I was about 6 or 7 then but what a wondeful time I had at Benson's Wild Animal Park. My father was a Scout Master and we always went on vacation in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine. I remember the Old Man in the Mountain and camping at the base. The lake was fed by he mountains run off from the snow and you better believe it was like ice cubes.What a wondeful childhood I had. Memories I will cherrish forever.I wanted to take my grandkids to Benson's and I was very surprised that it is gone.
I have just learned of this web site and am truly excited about it!
I grew up in Salem and moved to Hudson about 10 years ago. I too visited Bensons frequently with my family as a child. I drive by the lot almost daily and have wanted to look at what was left and in what condition. I find myself constantly talking to my kids about Bensons as if they too had shared the same memories. All of the pictures and video have just brought me so far back to my childhood at Bensons! What a great feeling! My last memory of Bensons was at Christmas time. How beautiful it was all lit up with snow all over the place. Thank you to those who have furnished all of the paraphernalia and pics.and to the person who began this site!
From the pictures, Bensons could be such a wonderful place again! I agree with Fred, We do not need any more housing projects, especially here Hudson! We are a town not a city!
If something ever came up,I would gladly volunteer my free time to help conserve and make something of this land for everyone to revisit and enjoy!
shelby
June 11, 2008 20:46:32 (EDT) |
does anybody have a map for bensons animal farm? I would like to use it for my next visit.
Cindy
June 11, 2008 18:42:47 (EDT) |
I am a Direct Care Staff at Department of Mental Retardation.
The State is always cutting costs and forever wanting Direct Care Staff to take our individuals on Field Trips.Benson's Animal would be a definite treat for our clients if they were still here and not shut down. I remember feeding the goats and deer that was the greatest for and i was age 5 maybe.. at the time.
Now I am 47 and I still think of those great days at Benson's. The State of NH should bring back an exact replica of the park for a historical perspective.
drwingpen@yahoo.com
Condy
June 11, 2008 18:40:07 (EDT) |
I am a Direct Care Staff at Department of Mental Retardation.
The State is always cutting costs and forever wanting Direct Care Staff to take our individuals on Field Trips.Benson's Animal would be a definite treat for our clients if they were still here and not shut down. I remember feeding the goats and deer that was the greatest for and i was age 5 maybe.. at the time.
Now I am 47 and I still think of those great days at Benson's. The State of NH should bring back an exact replica of the park for a historical perspective.
drwingpen@yahoo.com
I grew up in Hudson and a trip to Benson's Animal Farm was always a part of summer vacation. My grandmother Millie Baker worked there at the stand called "The Umbrella" for many many years. I believe that is one of the buildings still standing according to the photos posted. It is truly sad to see the remains of what once was a huge tourist attraction. I am glad that I read the Hudson-Litchfield News online so that I was able to find this website. Hudson is still "home" to me.
Guy Sawyer
June 10, 2008 13:43:25 (EDT) |
I loved going to Benson's as a kid. What great times our family had there. It's very sad to see the place in that condition.
I just became aware of this web site today. Looked at some pics of the park now and was brought to tears. I worked there from 1985-it's closure. Such wonderful memories and I'd still be there if it was still open. I also went there as a child and brought my children there. Two of them had their first jobs at 14 and 15 during the summer. I couldn't attend the auction as it was too painful.
Wish it could have turned out differently for Arthur and everyone who loved it so. I cherish the memories and still have kept friendships that I made while there.
I wish someone could organize some kind of a reunion. Let me know if anyone has any ideas. Thanks....
KIm Z
June 5, 2008 15:24:12 (EDT) |
I just moved to Hudson and would LOVE to be able to see what is left of this place. Can someone tell me exactly where it is? Is it easy to get to?
I'd be so greatful if someone could email me some info. This place looks like lots of good times were had here and I'd be thrilled to stop by and see what's left! Thanks so much. kam9581@yahoo.com
Kathy
May 31, 2008 11:44:18 (EDT) |
OMG How sad to hear about the development. What happened to the open space concept. Anyone interested in an old fashion tree huggin' sit-in?
Fred
May 29, 2008 23:58:42 (EDT) |
Well folks, I discovered something that I wish I hadn't. Today at approximately 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning (May 29th), I noticed two DOT vehicles, and two other vehicles with Massachusetts plates at the old Benson's front gate. As I’ve been disappointed for years driving by and knowing nothing is being done with the old Benson’s, due to State and Local red tape you know what, I decided to stop by and ask questions. I spoke with the DOT representatives, and they were very reluctant to give anything away, but I was able to find out that the Mass. residents were in fact developers. I asked if they were going to “restore” the buildings and grounds, and they stated that they were interested in developing a residential area, condos and housing developments, so to speak, as one of them pointed across the way at the condos off Kimball Hill Rd.
Now this makes matters worst, as though we need more housing projects in this world. I also asked if the developers were going to clean up the asbestos, and they walked away shrugging their shoulders.
Like I said, they didn’t want to give away too much info to me, but what I learned was very disappointing. I basically called my wife ranting and raving as if she was at fault.
Last weekend, I took the family to the old Benson’s grounds, found some of my childhood dreams, although all buildings left standing were in disarray with graffiti and trash all over the place, roofs were collapsing, just a sad, sad situation. My children were hesitant to be around those buildings.
In the 80’s, I grew up in Lowell, MA, and my elementary school always brought us to Benson’s for our field trip. Now, I live in Pelham, and I finally decided to trek out to Benson’s for some memories, only to be disappointed at the way things are.
I always “heard”, through the grapevine that “they” (whoever “they” are), were eventually planning on cleaning the park, fix up the old buildings, make walking/bike paths, etc….. I held onto that “dream” until now, when I noted the DOT vehicles and Mass. developers, with their tie-less pink button down shirts, and non-pleated white/cream trousers, checking the decrepit buildings and grounds. I knew at that moment, as usual, that the ‘ol Benson’s grounds would succumb to the development of greed and monopoly. And what Benson’s should be, or should have been, a chance to take your family to a place where childhood dreams once came true, to walk among the legendary grounds with your family, to enjoy some family time, would eventually be just that, “just a dream”. And when I finally awake from that dream, I would drive by that “use to be” vacant, run-down lot, and eventually see houses and condos standing tall and erect, with money hungry developers smiling at their financial stabilities and gains!
This is the way of the world. Mr. Benson is probably looking down upon us, wondering where/when/how it all went wrong!
Sincerely, a disheartened and disappointed kid at heart.
You will enjoy reading Gina Votour's article about Bensons in the Hudson-Litchfield News. Scroll almost all the way down to find the article. Read it now, since the link is only good until tomorrow (Friday) night. Gina is working on a second article now. You can reach her at ginavotour@yahoo.com if you would like to share your thoughts with her. Thanks, Gina!
Here's a great picture of Liz and Queenie getting ready for the parade. Thanks, Kathy!
I live in Pelham, never once did I wonder into Benson's land, until today. I took the fam to see my childhood dream, I was surprised and so disapointed walking around in the "ghosttown". Graffiti all over the remnant buildings, and the gorilla cage. My wife doesn't remember anything there, but she can remember every other minute of her childhood life. My mission was to find that gorilla cage, and I found it. It was fun walking the beaten paths (even had an encounter with a friendly snake), but very sadened to see it in its current state. I wish that the town would take it over, fix the buildings, and make a seasonal museum of some sort. All it needs is TLC, even from volunteers. Let me know what others think. Fred
My parents took all 8 of us to Benson's when we were kids .The last time I was there my son was 4 years old and he is now 23.i still have those pictures .
lola
May 21, 2008 17:01:22 (EDT) |
i wish i could have gone.. i never got 2 go.. sad 4 meee:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
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