News

Guild Members Honored by New Hampshire Preservation Alliance

On June 17, 2004, Timber Framers Guild members John Butler, Betsy Hahn, Lisa Sasser, and Arron Sturgis were among those honored by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance at the 2004 statewide Preservation Achievement Awards. The Elizabeth Durfee Hengen award for outstanding stewardship and planning of Benson's Animal Farm was presented to the Town of Hudson, New Hampshire, and the local citizens committee charged with preservation and stewardship of the site of a former New Hampshire landmark.

In the 1920s entrepreneur John Benson transformed 19th century farms and woodlots in Hudson into a popular regional attraction where exotic animals appeared in naturalistic settings. The amusement park closed in 1987, and all but three historic buildings were lost to decay and neglect.

See the related announcement below.

Hudson Project Receives Statewide Preservation Award

MANCHESTER, N.H.-The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance recognized achievements in historic preservation recently with 11 preservation achievement awards that include the planning and stewardship for the former Benson's Animal Farm site. "Excellent documentation and planning, as well as an effective partnership of government agencies and community members, distinguish this project," said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the Preservation Alliance. Project partners include the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, Preservation Timber Framing, Inc., Dunne's Enterprises, LLC, S. Elizabeth Sasser, AIA and John Butler, Preservation Artisan.

The Preservation Alliance also honored these restoration, rehabilitation and stewardship projects:

· Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Portsmouth
· Emily Cross House, Rochester
· The University of New Hampshire's Murkland Hall, Durham
· New England Credit Union Museum, Manchester
· Alumni Hall Cultural and Visitors Center, Haverhill
· Abbie Greenleaf Memorial Library, Franconia
· Franklin Antiques Market
· The Stanley Tavern, Hopkinton

The teachers and students of a fifth grade class at Antrim's Great Brook School received an award for their "Hancock: Then and Now" publication.

Harry S. Kinter, a career employee of the Federal Highway Administration, was recognized for his leadership in public policy. Colleagues emphasize that he is an innovative and forceful advocate for historic bridges, villages and other historic and archeological resources who has forged a highly effective partnership between transportation and historic preservation interests.

The awards were presented at Manchester's Palace Theatre. Three New Hampshire authors - Kevin Gardner, Joe Monninger and Howard Mansfield -- who explore preserving traditions and special places in their writing read from their work and discuss preservation and community identity. The event was generously underwritten by TMS Architects and Devine, Millimet & Branch.

Since 1989, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance has recognized individuals, organizations or corporations for work or projects in categories of restoration and stewardship; rehabilitation and adaptive use; public policy; and educational and planning initiatives. Past winners include the revitalization of the Weirs Beach sign, Blow-Me-Down Grange in Plainfield, historic Holman Stadium in Nashua, Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel and Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the state's not-for-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, landscapes and communities through leadership, advocacy and education.

The Town of Hudson and Benson's Committee For outstanding stewardship and planning of Benson's Animal Farm
Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award

In the 1920s entrepreneur John Benson transformed 19th century farms and woodlots in Hudson into a popular attraction where exotic animals appeared in naturalistic settings. A trip to Benson's Wild Animal Farm once ranked with visits to the Old Man of the Mountain and Storyland as must-dos for New Hampshire families and visitors. Over time, however, the original attraction was transformed into an amusement park that was closed forever in 1987. The NHDOT bought the property in 1989 for wetland mitigation of the Nashua Circumferential Highway, removing all of the buildings but three which were then turned over to the Town of Hudson.

The Town undertook a campaign of planning and stabilization for these structures, reversing a generation of neglect. Leadership came from a complex partnership of public agencies, and community representatives who engaged a team of thorough and creative conservationists who produced an outstanding Historic Structures Report, funded by the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, which demonstrated the significance and value of the three remaining historic structures. The HSR contained a detailed condition assessment and rehabilitation cost estimates, offering direction for the substantial volunteer clean-up work, and allowing the Town of Hudson to complete the stabilization plan for work on the buildings and secure funding to stabilize the B & M Railroad Depot.

The Hengen award, named for a former Chair of the Alliance board, is given to a project that reflects outstanding advocacy, education or planning practices.

Benson's Haselton Barn 3D section