The property was divided into three zones: Active/historic, Passive/recreation, minimal/native. Photos of Benson's Wild Animal Farm - Then and Now - ActiveRain Besides being the largest gorilla ever held in captivity, Colossus also appears to have been the only one who has run for president. While he did charge a small entrance fee, Hudson residents were allowed in at no charge. Crumbling staircases were covered with thick layers of brush. We would run through the narrow, hilly pathways visiting our favorite zoo friends like Liz, Ruth, and Tania at the elephant barn, Tony the Gorilla, the adorable Gibbon monkeys that would stretch their tiny arms through the cage to reach for a treat from visitors, the languid camels and the roaring lions with their fearless, legendary trainer Joe Arcaris. For more information, visit FriendsofBenson.org or www.HudsonNH.gov. March 1 to April 30 BENSON'S PARK - 46 Photos & 26 Reviews - Yelp I suppose its easy for a Baby Boomer like myself to toss around questions like this, but the world has become a complicated place. Remembering Benson's Wild Animal Farm by Bob Goldsack Benson then went to New Hampshire to open his own animal park. In 1941, Benson added a lucky Chinese elephant to his wild animal farm. I told my husband no one will believe it if we tell them what we saw. In 1985, Bensons filed for bankruptcy. Committee Chairman Harry Schibanoff said people from out of town are welcome to serve on the subcommittees, which cover communications, hiking trail maintenance, landscaping, volunteer coordination, building renovations and the planned dog park. "We'd love to see a museum here, but that's a long way away.". I love that theyve restored some of the parks former attractions and put up signs showing the before-and-after photos along with some history. Owner Arthur Provencher, who ran the park from 1979 to 1987 and rebranded it "New England Playworld" for its last season, wants to sell his memorabilia to the town for a possible Benson's Animal Farm museum. Benson's Wild Animal Farm - The Strangest Farm on Earth In fact, comedian Dane Cook, who grew up in Massachusetts, mentioned it in his act! Today when I take my kids to Santas Village and we ride the roller coaster there. Not far from the pond were the amusement rides and picnic grounds, and I can still see our father smoking a cigar and proudly watching us take off in those adorable little helicopter rides. One key portion of the deed reads, The condition of the buildings and the property as of the date of the transfer of title to the town shall be considered the baseline for evaluating the towns responsibilities herein. The historic preservation has been one of the stumbling blocks in reaching an agreement and the most recent language used in the deed was suggested by the Department of Historic Resources. Ryan W. Owen and Forgotten New England, 2022. Footage taken at Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire.Filmmaker: William Pride HendersonFor more information on the archives and these films, p. Feb 10, 2015 - Been there quite a few times had one of my pictures taken there holding a boa constrictor . The Town has taken several steps in attempt to prevent further deterioration and destruction of the property until the Town acquires the final deed from the State, including lighting, securing and alarming buildings. Of the approximately 168 acres of land, about 40 acres of wetlands will be constructed on the property. "Everyone has their own opinion about what they want to see happen here," he says. He then returned to training animals. Bensons Wild Animal Farm may just have been the strangest farm on earth. Thats how John T. Benson described the zoo he founded in Hudson, NH in 1924. It was a treat to visit the always crowded zoo and amusement park on a Saturday afternoon with my brothers Andy and Philip. My husband and I used to take our little girl there back in the early and mid-80s until it closed. After briefly changing over to an amusement park, it closed in 1987. This map alone promises a fun-filled day at a joyful place filled with music, rides, shows, and of course, animals. In Cincinnati, his keepers quickly learned that he needed to be reintroduced to other gorillas, according to a 1988 AP article published in the Annapolis Capital. In 1987, he changed it to an amusement park, whose full name was "New England's Playworld Amusement Park and Zoo", notable for a huge statue of Mighty Mouse. If you have a historical photo you would like The Sun to publish, please email it, with a description, to news@lowellsun.com. Its good to hear that the park has been restored. DHR says it will work with the Town, they know that the buildings have continued to deteriorate over time. Benson's Wild Animal farm in Hudson|!!| NH - New Hampshire Magazine Benson's Wild Animal Farm reopened in May 2010 as a town park for recreational use. My grandchildren and I also met Mr Provencher at the Hudson Library with all his collection of Benson Memorabilia, a miniature park replica of Bensons encased in glass, many pictures. The park finally closed in 1921. Instead, a kitchen scene will be set up behind plexiglass. In April Hudson's Ken Matthews also founded "Friends of Benson Park," a private fundraising organization to help the board of selectmen achieve goals that can't be realized through tax dollars. He helped start the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester, Massachusetts as its first curator. Benson soon discovered that he make more money running a sort of zoo. See the comparison video here - https://youtu.be/n07M_mSmIX8For more information regarding Benson's plea. After an unsuccessful association with outside investors, Provencher filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1985. He was 40 years old. However, the farm remained unprofitable. The department has partnered with Hero Pups of Exeter to supply a comfort dog to the ranks to help ease the trauma for individuals impacted by violence, tragedy, or traumatic events. But, that never happened. We spent many hours in the shrub maze. We didnt have exposure to the digital technology that would come about. Bensons lucky concrete elephant survived even longer than the park. Even though Benson's Wild Animal Farm is no. Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire, opened to the public in 1927. He got a job there as part of the animal crew at $1.25 an hour in the summer of 63 at age 21 in between a stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger. Efforts have been made to repair these decaying structures, and they've since been given new life. At the Hudson Library event owner Arthur Provencher reflected on why he believed that Benson's ultimately collapsed: increases in liability insurance, high animal feed costs and high interest rates for loans to buy the newest and latest rides for fickle teens. As of summer, 2008, the Town of Hudsons attorney met with the Board of Selectmen on July 8, 2008 and was given approval to finalize the deed with the State by a vote of 4-1, with Selectman Maddox in opposition. The town committee insists on calling it "Benson Park," believing that the subtle difference will distinguish the new land use from the old. Self-Guided Walking Tour of Benson Park, Hudson, NH Never mind that the story of Bensons is the story that includes a: When he was just eight years old in the late 1870s, John T. Benson ran away from his home in Dewsbury in the English country of Yorkshire. In 2001, The Hudson Board of Selectmen created the Bensons Committee to recommend a site plan with proposed uses for the Bensons property. He died April 11, 2006, at age 40, while under anesthesia during dental work.[8]. Betsy survived John Benson by 28 years, dying in 1971. At the time trolleys took Bostonians from Massachusetts Avenue to Bedford Street and dropped them off at the parks entrance, located on the Lexington and Bedford town line. "I grew up on the same block as Benson's. Motorbikes are not. I was so impressed by his sincerity in telling his story. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. Even the iconic "Old Woman in the Shoe" concrete sculpture, the only kitschy remnant left from the child-centric past, had giant gashes that no cobbler would touch. The gorilla house from Benson's Wild Animal Farm Benson's Park on Facebook (1) A popular zoo operating from 1927-1987, Benson's Wild Animal Farm once had elephants, lions, and a particularly . The massive parking lot could hold up to 5,000 vehicles, and that gives you an idea about the size of this amazing time and place. An official grand opening and re-dedication was held September 2010. (LogOut/ "From what I understand, there might be a fundraising campaign to purchase the memorabilia.". ", The Hudson Historical Society is selling Goldsack's book for $17 plus postage (rates vary). - Benson's Wild Animal Farm | Facebook "Sad day. The State has set the purchase price for the Town at $188,000. Betsy was best remembered for her baths in the parks pond and for giving rides to park visitors in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. A YouTube search for Benson's produces lots of videos, including this one from NH Chronicle. Its always heartwarming to see communities maintain as much green space as they can. Megan Updated: May 1, 2023 Live Free or Die603BORN via Facebook For some of you, this will be a nostalgic blast from the past that tugs at your heartstrings. Bridge to NowPassing memories of a giant red shoe on to the next generation. He's also painted over graffiti, patched holes with wire mesh and cement and built a new pressure-treated observation deck. This Once Abandoned Park Has a New Life - Benson's Wild Animal Farm - YouTube EXIT THE NORMBenson ParkHudson, New HampshireWe walk through the site of the former Benson's Wild. The US bombed the U-boats trying to rescue the survivors, Police arrest a 72-year-old suburban grandfather suspected of being the Golden State Killer, Im not dead yet: some Buddhist monks followed self-mummification, Project Azorian: Howard Hughes secret mission, 1960s U.S. satellite that started transmitting again in 2013, The Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones historical inspiration, The only unsolved skyjacking case in U.S. history might have a break, Kurt Gdel became too paranoid to eat and died of starvation, Little Ease: One of the most feared torture devices in the Tower of London, The humble English girl who became Cora Pearl, Walt Disney softened the original Snow White story. By Lowell Sun | PUBLISHED: March 16, 2008 at 4:37 a.m. | UPDATED: July 16, 2019 at 12:47 p.m. In 1979, Arthur Provencher, a Nashua native, became the new owner and worked hard to add new attractions and make the place viable once more. The animals at least the ones more exotic than turtles, frogs and deer are never coming back. Inaddition to the kid-friendly rides,a handful of thrillrideswere also added to help bring in more customers. But, even more popular than the concrete elephant at Bensons, there was . What are your memories from Benson's Wild Animal Park? Only photos submitted by email will be accepted. Sign Up See more of Benson's Wild Animal Farm on Facebook Log In or Create new account Step One: Get rid of the apostrophe. Thus, it is now in the States hands once again. At the time, the oldest and largest animal park in the U.S. known. The roller coaster was bought by Santa's Village and the giant toy soldiers guarding the elephant barn now decorate Hudson town common every Christmas. By 1934 the parking lot could accommodate 5,200 cars. He just preferred the company of humans more. Story of Benson's gets a second run - Lowell Sun But the next day the story was in the eagle tribune along with a picture of the kangeroo! Since my newspaper dad, John, worked for the Nashua Telegraph, he would sometimes bring home free passes that Bensons had sent to the paper. After the park closed in 1987, alumni bought it for Tufts University in Medford, Mass., whose mascot happened to be an elephant. The park closed in 1987, after. Brown, Charles I. Keene, and Harry G. Collier. In addition, there are numerous grants, matching funds and other opportunities available to achieve these long-term goals. It's a shame thatBenson'sis no longer open,but parts of someattractionsare thankfully still standing and keeping the Park's memory alive. There is also a memorial about 9/11 with a beam from one of the elevator shafts. These days, its fondly called Benson Park (19 Kimball Hill Road), and its a gem for the community and area. The state of New Hampshire acquired the property in 1989 and transferred it to the town of Hudson in 2009. Also, the Committee stressed that the prioritization list is a guideline that may be adjusted depending on opportunities which may arise, including grants, donations, etc. Visitors to Bensons frequently saw elephantsboth the concrete and flesh-and-blood typesat the park. At a time when national amusement park chains like Six Flags face an uncertain economic future, there is no guarantee how long all of our small regional attractions will survive. But I know that soon the nostalgia will bring back more wonderful memories! 170 Benson' Wild Animal Farm ideas | my pictures, animals Re-visit your past and delve into your memories. Do you recognize any of the people in these Sun archive photos? The elephant soon got its own legend in Bensons lore. There, it lived for another 28 years before it just fell apart in 2015. Benson's Wild Animal Farm - Wikipedia "As far as I know they are still interested," says Provencher, who won't publicly state his asking price. Colossus moved onto the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida first, and then lived his final years at the Cincinnati Zoo. [1][6] The Hudson Center Railroad Station was moved to Benson's by the town of Hudson from its original location on Greeley Street. For those who have no emotional connection to the monkeys or any of the other residents of "The Strangest Farm on Earth," the ongoing reclamation project represents an exciting expansion for recreational opportunities. Am cut, still makes history, Jurors to begin deliberating in trial for alleged killer, Eric Griffin, Womens Lowell Cities Golf Tournament to tee off Saturday with strong field, Seeing orbs in photos? This year's volunteer clean-ups have occasionally uncovered relics such as a buttoned red monkey costume from one of the animal acts. The original Bensons Committee: two Selectmens representatives, three citizens representatives, one Recreation Department representative, one Historical Society representative. This change failed to stem the decline, and the park went out of business at the end of the 1987 season. Hudsons DPW has worked on the property as well. In 1987, he changed it to an amusement park, whose full name was New Englands Playworld Amusement Park and Zoo, notable for a huge statue of Mighty Mouse. It has been redeveloped as a public park and nature area.[2]. For ordering information, visit www.hudsonhistorical.com. Now Im repainting the mural in Colussus Gorilla cage, a more vibrant jungle scene but Im leaving the original gorilla in the painting. A few years later, he opened Bensons Wild Animal Farm to the public. silverback gorilla who once ran for president, beloved pet elephant whos buried on the property, and a. kangaroo who ran away from a traveling circus to join Bensons. I was friends with the tiger trainer and he would let me cuddle with the baby tiger. He brought in tigers, zebra, fleas for a real-life flea circus, and . Licensing fees for the Terrytoon characters (Mighty Mouse, Heckle & Jeckle) weren't cheap either. Benson's was a zoo to the public, a work station for many circus animal trainers and performers, and a source of summer employment for generations of local teenagers. It was sold in 1979 to Arthur Provencher, who reversed its decline for a while with an influx of money. On September 11, 2011, a memorial was dedicated to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. 2,034 were here. The parks final owner, Arthur Provencher, entered him into both presidential primaries in New Hampshire in 1980. The gorilla politicians and wild beast weddings are gone, but Hudson's "Wild Animal Farm" lives on as a recreational park. Thank for for telling us about it. Benson died in 1943, and Boston Garden Corp. bought the property the next year. Did the park use to have a very large Indian Statue? In 1940, animal trainer Joe Arcaris began his association with the zoo, performing acts with lions and other animals till the late 1970s. Benson's Wild Animal Farm | Hudson NH - Facebook John ran Lexington Park, but didnt own it. Benson's was a zoo to the public, a work station for many circus animal trainers . History of Benson's Wild Animal Farm | Hudson New Hampshire Benson's Wild Animal Farm That was probably in the mid- to late 1950s or early 60s. Then & Now | Hudson New Hampshire Benson's was a former private zoo and amusement park for decades before it permanently closed in 1987. Boasting more than 100 animal exhibits and 50 rides and attractions, Benson's combined the best elements of zoos and amusement parks and charged only $10 for an all-day adult pass. The book also recounts where key components of the park wound up in the afterlife. Reopened to the public in 2010 as Benson Park, the Hudson Department of Public Works maintains its 166 acres today. Children of the Gen X years may better remember the concrete elephant, a 10-foot-tall concrete statue of an Indian elephant who started life with a downward-pointing trunk before the parks final owner traded it out for an upward-pointing trunk sometime around 1979, for better luck as the legend goes. Even though Benson's has been closed since 1987, it has an active Facebook accountwith reviews written as recently as a few years ago, which goes to show how beloved this place was. [11] Colossus moved to the Cincinnati Zoo in 1993, after spending some time at the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida.
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