About Ben

Our dapper, yet roughish Black Bear, sporting his fedora, cigar and shot gun watches protectively over the Kitching General Store. We don’t have many details about Gentle Ben except he’s a Florida Black Bear and was a gift to the museum. According to local historians, Black Bears thrived on Hutchinson Island until the 1930’s. Gentle Ben is a museum favorite of all who see his handsome face, especially children.