sara October 2, 2011 20:47:46 (EDT)

Just watched you tube video called Bensons Amimal Farm, 1936 lasting 9 min 34 sec. The animals were well taken care of, clean pens, good body weight etc but lordy oh lordy.

Baby elephant trying to run away during bath, big elephant being poked in ribcage with a club, old elephant with decub scars from ill fitting leathers, lots of whip cracking, baby bear and monkey chained to posts, panicked tiger hugging cage bars trying to find an escape....yep, the trainers used the "classic" handling techniques back then. It is reflected in the animals worried eyes. Wish I could be sitting in the big chair come judgement day but I'm not in charge so I'll just keep softly whispering "backasswards hillrods".

Yvon Hawke October 2, 2011 12:30:59 (EDT)

Hi Folks.

Yvon Hawke here, author of the "2007 Visit" photo shoot and essay on display here. I've been gone from this site for a long time, but I've just learned of some information from the Eagle Tribune that may affect many of the Bensons' merchandise and other items that Grand View became the owners of.

In a lawsuit brought on to the flee market by Coach over the sale of Coach knockoff merchandise, a deal made resulted in the flee market closing down for good this past Sunday (last week) as part of the deal/agreement made between Coach and Grand View.

The article can be found at http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x555346132/Flea-market-closes-after-Coach-lawsuit

What does this mean for Bensons' merchandise and other items (ie- the pink elephant) that are still there? I believe that someone from the park organization should make an attempt to obtian them via donation from the flee market owners. It would be great to get them and utilize a Benson's building, in part of in whole, as a museum of sorts for the old park and the merchandise/items. Myself, I am not in a position where I could lead such an initiative, but I did want to get the word out.

I'm also trying to find some time to return to the property and bring my kids along as well. There are some spots I'd like to take pictures of my kids in the same spots I was in for pictures during my visits when I was young.

Mr. Dana Sion October 1, 2011 09:45:22 (EDT)

Peg,
To your question if there are bathrooms for walkers/hikers in the park. There are two chemical toilets in the park to the right of the Gorilla House off the lower trail from the main parking lot when you enter the gate. One of the units is also a wheelchair accessible unit.

Enjoy the park and tell your friends,
-Dana

Dana Sion October 1, 2011 09:41:51 (EDT)

Eric,
I am not sure if there is a memorial at the Cincinnati zoo in honor of Tony. Below is a direct link to the last zoo Tony was at where he lived in a group with other Gorillas(males/females of different ages).

Watch some of the high quality videos on the bottom of the page that show the amazing care that is given at this facility.

http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/animals/western-lowland-gorilla/

Eric Baron September 28, 2011 19:06:01 (EDT)

Hi, I never had the chance to go to bensons growing up. I heard years ago that Colosus was moved to a better place in Florida and then Ohio,and later passed away. I am so happy he got to live at least the last 13 years of his life in a better place. My questions are,Does anyone have or know where I can find video of Colosus? And does anyone know if the Zoo in Ohio where Colosus lived and died ever made him a memorial or statue? Because if there is not one, THERE SHOULD BE ONE!!!!!!!!
Thank You,Eric

cj September 28, 2011 11:53:28 (EDT)

Harry,

As I said, the hours and work done in the park are inspirational and motivational.

The park is wonderful.
And Hudson is lucky to have it.

I was curious is all and
You made lots of valid points.
my apologies,
thank you for responding.

Harry Schibanoff September 27, 2011 23:43:58 (EDT)

BJ
Since you are anonymous on this board, I feel no need to be pc about this.

Yes the confinement of Tony aka Colossus was inhuman and callus at the time, but it was the norm of society in the 1960’s - 1980’s. Should we criticize our parents and grandparents of that age for being so callus? Who are we to judge? It was considered the norm of society at that time.

It was not humane but it was reality. Should be just erase all inhuman actions of our history? We learn from the past and the message in keeping the cage of Tony is not to honor it, but to be a remainder as to why it was inhuman! To take it to the extreme, should we just destroy the concentration camps of Germany or should they be maintained as a reminder of why we must remember the past and the inhumanity of man to man or gorilla. As one who advocatedx for the restoration of the Gorilla House as a place where man was inhuman to a gorilla, I am really offended that someone would advocate for the destruction of the history of the Town of Hudson. So many volunteers at basically no cost to taxpayers have labored numerous hours in the honor of preservation of our Town’s history at the Gorilla House whether it be infamous or not, only to be judged by an anonymous person who may not even be a volunteer, just so they could feel better about themselves.

cj September 27, 2011 11:27:36 (EDT)

The park is wonderful and the hours spent cleaning it up are inspirational and motivating but I can't help but
wonder why they chose to save Tony's cage ?

It represents many, many years in solitary confinement !

To late now but maybe should the money could have spent on other improvements.

Peg September 23, 2011 16:19:19 (EDT)

I saw the brochure of the trails... are there bathrooms there for the walkers?

Dana Sion September 22, 2011 15:22:26 (EDT)

Support Benson Park in Hudson, NH formally Benson's Wild Animal Farm: Sat. Oct. 8th 2011

Come see an amazing 2 hour one man comedy music show by Bucky Lewis, The Bucky Lewis show will have you laughing till it hurts! Bucky Lewis Entertainment will put on a show like you never seen! (www.buckylewis.com)

Doors open at 7pm with a cash bar and the show 8:30pm with a scrumptious pub menu available. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese raffle and more helping to raise funds for Benson Park hosted by The Friends of Benson Park, Inc.

Tickets are $20.00 per person and can be purchased at Showtime Computers in Hudson, NH or call (603) 930-2214 for more Info. (also available at the door the night of the show)

honey September 16, 2011 16:34:18 (EDT)

the last time i was there an elephant had gotten out and sat on a small car in the parking lot! that was about forty years ago. i miss going there.

cheryl September 14, 2011 12:10:32 (EDT)

I finally stopped by the park.
Wow !!!!!
It is incredible . Really !!!!!!!

Cindy Provencher September 14, 2011 06:42:01 (EDT)

Dear Marguerite; Mighty Mouse is a terrytoon charter that walked around the Park after Benson's Wild Animal Park was renamed New England Playworld.

cj September 13, 2011 13:21:29 (EDT)

Kathleen,

Since you are recalling the 50's and maybe the 60's
you may be thinking of the big chimp "Junior"
Poor boy was taunted and teased beyond belief.
He was in a tiny cage in the Monkey House.
Imagine his frustration and poor quality of life.

Tony's cage was tiny as well but I think it was behind glass.

marguerite dube September 12, 2011 15:27:38 (EDT)

Could you tell me if there ever was a park call Mighty mouse at the same location where Benson Animal park use to be in Hudson N.H

christine larouche September 11, 2011 17:33:48 (EDT)

I thought the 9/11 at bensons was really nice, even if I cried, but I thought it was excellant, every one did a excellant job, now I can visit 9/11 any time, all so do you have pictures I can see of what happen today, thank you

cheryl September 11, 2011 14:44:11 (EDT)

Thanks and Congrats to all who helped with creating
the September 11 Memorial !

Barbara Renaud September 10, 2011 13:46:17 (EDT)

Rode my bike or walked to Bensons many times growing up in Nashua during the 50's. Heard the murals done in the new Gorilla House were very nice and captured the spirit of the original. Such a shame that the Committee wants to remove that whimsical touch of art.

Kathlene Lessard September 10, 2011 08:33:55 (EDT)

Growing up I remember going there a lot in the mid 50's. I loved all the animals. The thing I remember the most is people teasing, spitting and throwing things at Tony the gorilla. I'm betting the ones teasing still remember doing it.It was very sad to see.