Benson's Wild Animal Farm is Still Making News

For over 60 years, Benson’s Wild Animal Farm in Hudson -- with exotic lions, monkeys and heart-stopping rides -- brought tourists from all over to New Hampshire.

Apparently, everyone who grew up in New Hampshire throughout the twentieth century went to Benson’s Animal Farm, and there’s a tremendous amount of public sentiment attached to the property.

That’s Elizabeth Muzzey, with the state Office of historic preservation.

In 1989, two years after Benson’s closed, , the Department of Transportation paid four million dollars for the 165-acre property.

About six years ago, the state agreed to sell the land to Hudson for a mere 188 thousand dollars.

But the town had to promise to restore the site’s three historical buildings to federal standards.

Town officials say they would take over the property today.

But they don’t have the funds to do what the state is asking.

Shawn Jasper chairs the Hudson Board of Selectmen.

Jasper says he wants to see the buildings preserved – but the state, not the town, should pay.

Jasper: Since they have allowed them to deteriorate, and since they have been the ones preventing the transfer from taking place, they need to assume the responsibility here. If they don’t take over the property, the buildings will simply fall in.

He says the most significant building, the four-story, 200-year old Hazelton barn, requires over a half of million dollars in repairs.

Outdoor ambience
McGraw: I think we could do it a lot cheaper.

That’s Esther McGraw, who in the 60’s worked in Benson’s gift shop.

Outdoors, walking
McGraw tours the overgrown property. She sighs upon seeing the neglected animal stalls.

This is the elephant barn. And we’re not going any further because it’s all graffitied. I’m heartbroken. Around used to be a big arena where the horses and the elephants would do their shows.

Today, McGraw chairs the Benson’s Committee, a group that wants to preserve the land – and the buildings -- for recreation.

Volunteers, including schoolchildren, have already begun clearing up the brush, restoring walkways, and renovating the barn.

McGraw: We need to get it back to a park. There’ll be fishing, trails to walk on. It’s beautiful. I ain’t gonna give up.

But the town won’t move forward until the state defines how it should repair the historic buildings.

Nancy Mayville of the department of transportation has managed this project for the last six years.

She says the government purposely uses broad language to define historical standards.

Mayville: I don’t really see any stumbling blocks here; we just need to continue talking. Yes, there is an issue of what they’re committing to in the future. So, if we define it too much, that doesn’t leave them any flexibility.

Meanwhile, the town’s attorney sent a letter to preservation officer Elizabeth Muzzey, asking the state to reconsider the federal guidelines.

Muzzey says that most of the Benson structures weren’t built to last.

And so all that’s left to tell the Benson story is the Hazelton barn, Benson’s office, a former railroad depot, and exotic plants and trees that Benson imported.

Muzzey: So we’re working to preserve these last pieces because they are so important to everyone who grew up here and went there as a child.

Muzzey says the conversation between the town and the state, must, and will carry on.

Just as it has for the last six years.

For NHPR news in Nashua, this is Sheryl Rich-Kern.