Andy August 14, 2007 12:12:16 (EDT)

When Arthur bought the park, he changed Tony's name to Colossus because he thought it was more dignified, and was more suitable for one of the largest most powerful gorillas in captivity. So when you see references to Tony or Colossus, its the same animal. Does anyone remember the "Colossus for... (more)

Pat Conway August 13, 2007 19:31:08 (EDT)

I attended St. Charles School in Waltham MA and our end-of-year field trips were to Benson's Wild Animal Farm. I remember riding the bus there in 2nd and 3rd grades which would have been 1963 and 1964. Two memorable events: getting lost in the maze, and having Tony the Gorilla spit in my... (more)

Shannon August 11, 2007 17:44:50 (EDT)

A friend and I went there today. Both of us had gone as children. It's really quite amazing how much nature has reclaimed. Still being there brought back all sorts of memories. The foliage is beautiful and we even saw a giant grey heron in the duck pond. Also some of the biggest insects we... (more)

Rick Matias August 6, 2007 21:45:47 (EDT)

I used to go to bensons with my twin sister and my grandmother and mother every summer.. I used to ride the bunny floats (where did those go... i used to absolutely adore that ride.) I am amazed liz and queenie are in hoeinwald tennessee 10 miles from where i was 2 months ago visiting my father,... (more)

RJ August 4, 2007 17:15:44 (EDT)

I live right down the street from Benson's. Today was the first time i went down there. It's pretty amazing to see how such a popular place suddenly disappeared. Only got to see half of it, there's a huge mound of asbestos. Very ingrown. I'm going back another day soon, more prepared, to see the... (more)

Ken Mayer July 12, 2007 23:37:48 (EDT)

Count Nolan, lion tamer, February 28, 2004 - I've been searching for materials, pictures etc. about a lion tamer named "Count Nolan". As a child this man lived in my home town, Wrentham Massachusetts, and had his animals in the back yard. I remember his act as "Count Nolan and his Jungle Killers",... (more)

Andy July 8, 2007 13:45:18 (EDT)

When Arthur bought the park, there were many elephant statues situated around the property. Some were trunk up, some trunk down. Arthur got rid of all the statues that had downward trunks, because they were considered to be bad luck. The large elephant statue that was down by the rides had a... (more)

Webmaster Steve July 5, 2007 23:17:50 (EDT)

A reminder that Queenie and Liz, two of the Benson's Wild Animal Farm elephants, are happily enjoying their well-earned retirements at the Elephant... (more)

evelyn clermont July 5, 2007 16:19:43 (EDT)

I remember my dad..way back when he trained the elephants at benson's...betsy was his favorite...i remember going there many many years ago

Webmaster Steve July 3, 2007 19:36:58 (EDT)

Thanks to Yvon Hawke for his essay and slide-show. Click on "2007 Visit" in the Table on Contents to view it.

Jason July 1, 2007 22:02:48 (EDT)

I live right across the street from Bensons. Its so amazing to walk around in there with it being all run down. Its more interesting to think that all this use to be a walk away.

Yvon Hawke July 1, 2007 00:53:42 (EDT)

Hi everyone. I used to go to the park when I was a kid; tha last time being sometime before 1985. I don't remember the specific date any longer; but, the date might be on the photos I'll be taking a look at tomorrow at my folks house. Having been nearly 25 years since that last time there and... (more)

Sharon June 25, 2007 16:31:15 (EDT)

We took our kids to Southwick's Zoo this past weekend and it reminded me of Benson's. I came across your site when I decided to see whatever happened to Benson's. (I also couldn't remember where it was located, other than in New Hampshire.) I visited there many times as a child, probably... (more)

Andy June 25, 2007 12:41:14 (EDT)

LOL. Or maybe it was Mike McCray.......

Andy June 23, 2007 10:21:35 (EDT)

"Aug 21, 1979 - Hudson - NH - Lion attack - Kimball Hill Road - Bensons Wild Animal Farm - An employee of the farm was attacked by a lion and suffered bites to the head and arms." That employee was Mike McCoy, and he was attacked by the mother mountain lion when he put food inside the cage. He... (more)

Lexi June 21, 2007 19:00:22 (EDT)

Does anyone remember the lady bug roller coaster? That was the first roller coaster I road as a child. I grew up in Hudson. We took a field trip there when I was in second grade in 1986.

bill goss June 21, 2007 00:33:54 (EDT)

i remember visiting bensons in the 1930's.my family had a cottage in east andover,n.h. and we went every summer. my most vivid memory beside the animal acts was a piglet who ran free around the park pulling a little covered wagon.on the canvas sides of the wagon was printed "bringing home the... (more)

Donna June 15, 2007 17:26:26 (EDT)

Just some info that I thought I should share with anyone who worked at Benson's. Roger Rodrigues who used to be known as "Benny Benson" the clown, has passed away this week. Any questions can be referred back to me.

Charlie June 15, 2007 10:59:10 (EDT)

Blast from the past, Circa 1970's...Jim Murray,Jim Crowley,George Marshall,"Sonny" Gilchrist,Bruce Ashmore,Gerry Landry,The Dutton Brothers,Pinky Madison,Joe Arcaris,Harvey,Steve Trzos,Roland and his seal act,Tony the Gorilla (B-4 being named Colossus),Queen,Liz and Ruth (Elephants), Mary the... (more)