Murray Clark, The Passing of an Icon in New Hampshire

Linda Heminway
ISMACS News
Issue 98

William Murray Clark, who ran Clark’s Trading Post with its performing bear shows, circus and train rides for many years, has died aged 82.

His family said Clark died on Thursday, January 7th, 2010.

In addition to carrying on the attraction his parents founded in Lincoln in 1928, Clark was a former state legislator and a volunteer fire-fighter in North Woodstock.

Many ISMACS members will fondly remember Murray Clark for his charming New England practicality and individual quirky behavior. No one ever knew him as William; he was always Murray to everyone. Murray attended many ISMACS conventions and entertained several members at his residence over the years.

We salute you, Murray, for what you have achieved.

Aside from being a collector of hundreds upon hundreds of sewing machines with vast enthusiasm and knowledge, Murray was also famous within the State of New Hampshire and throughout the northeast USA for something else. He was a man of vision and, along with his family, he created a theme park with great family entertainment.

Clarks Trading Post, located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, began in the 1920s as a sled dog “stand”, as they called it; eventually changing the name to a “trading post” where people could stop on their way to New Hampshire’s White Mountains for rest, information and souvenirs.

Eventually, the family bought a black bear and trained it. This led to them obtaining and caring for many bears. Murray and his brother, Ed, became experts in the care and feeding of bears and trained them to perform shows. This attraction grew into a fairly major theme park in the Northeast.

Still family run, the quality and family-friendly aspects include regular bear shows (amazing), a steam train ride, museums, food, a circus, bumper boats and even this year, a new Segway attraction where people can have half hour use of Segways along mountain trails.

Murray leaves a legacy to New Hampshire but I knew him best as a man who loved sewing machines and to chat about them. From a personal perspective, I enjoyed hearing tales about him from the late Bill White, of Exeter NH, who was a dear friend and fellow sewing machine collector and enthusiast. Bill saw Murray frequently and through my friendship with Bill, I was able to get a private introduction to Murray and tour his machines. I have to say that of the top 10 experiences I have had as a machine collector, touring Murray’s collection and spending hours with him, ranks in the top two or three experiences. When they were young, my children adored him and were entertained when Murray showed us his vast collection of sewing machines as well as odd items like calliopes, music boxes, Victrolas and other bear-related items in his home.

Joy, enthusiasm, humor and practicality are among the things I think of when I remember Murray. He will live on in Lincoln NH in the hearts of all that knew him.

Linda Heminway, Plaistow, NH

Pat Bilderback, in Indiana, adds...

My late DH and I were fortunate to have met Murray Clark on our annual trips to New Hampshire. He had an amazing collection of sewing machines, in his house, in his “cellar,” and in a large barn. I think he had a monopoly on the beautiful, old, ornate Florence machines.

Because we usually made our trips in the fall, we never got to see the family-owned amusement park in action. He had trained bears who played basketball. Evidently the bears were taught new tricks, you can see one in action riding a scooter at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llC2TOTvwi8

I want it noted that Murray treated the bears very well, he showed them off as any proud parent. He was tough to make a bargain with although he much preferred to make a trade rather than take cash outright.

Murray was one heck of a nice guy!

Pat B.