History of Frank Stanley Beveridge and Stanley Park

Apr 17 1879

Frank Stanley Beveridge was born in Nova Scotia, Canada.

1900

Having traveled from Pembrooke Shores, near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Frank arrived at Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts with only a quarter, a dime and one Canadian dollar bill. He remained at Mount Hermon School for three years. Following Mount Hermon School, Frank moved to upstate New York, married, and he and his wife, Theresa, had two daughters. Later, Mr. Beveridge joined the Fuller Brush Company in Hartford, Connecticut, where he became Director of Sales.

1931

Mr. Beveridge founded Stanley Home Products, Inc. in Westfield, Massachusetts (the Enesco Group, Inc.)

1947

Mr. Beveridge forms the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, a trust.

1948

Hubert L. Worell and Alvah (Al) Elzerman bring black squrirels from Michigan as a gift to Frank Stanley Beveridge

1949

Mr. Beveridge establishes the Stanley Park of Westfield, Inc. on twenty-five acres of land in Westfield, Massachusetts.

1956

Frank Stanley Beveridge passes away & leaves the lasting legacy of Stanley Park.

Today

Stanley Park consists of nearly 300+ acres of trails, woods, picnic areas, recreational facilities, and gardens, which include the Rose & Flower Garden, Asian Garden, a Rhododendron Display Garden, The Arboretum, Herb Garden, and Woodland Wildflower Garden. There is the Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary, the Carillon Tower, and a Duck Pond with a Colonial-era Village that includes an orchard, mill and waterwheel, an old town meeting house, covered bridge, carriage shed, blacksmith shop, and arched bridges all with a backdrop of flowering azaleas and rhododendron.

Stanley Park is supported in part by the endowment originally established by its founder, Frank Stanley Beveridge.

Video Collection

In this two part video, we uncover the remarkable journey of Frank Stanley Beveridge—an entrepreneur whose vision gave rise to StanHome Products, a company that transformed the home sales industry. But Beveridge's legacy doesn't end there. His dedication to community and nature led to the creation of Stanley Park, a beautiful and enduring landmark. Join us as we explore how Beveridge's innovative spirit and commitment to improving lives left a lasting impact both in business and in the places we cherish today.


Black Squirrels

A Westfield phenomenon since the late 1940's, the black squirrels now populate most areas of the city and have moved into surrounding communities. Because they are not indigenous to Western Massachusetts, the presence of the squirrels has led to a rather large collection of stories and tall tales as to how they got here, when, and perhaps most important, why? They were a gift to Frank Stanley Beveridge from former Stanley Home Products sales managers, Hubert L. Worell and Alvah (Al) Elzerman.

In 1948, Worell and Elserman brought the squirrels from Michigan to Westfield, Massachusetts when they were to attend a conference here at Stanhome Inc., or known at that time as Stanley Home Products. The first arrivals were kept in cages and did not adapt well to their new environment; they failed to reproduce and eventually died. Undaunted, Worell and Elserman tried again, this time bringing six squirrels, allowing them to roam free in the confines of the park. The squirrels found their new surroundings and their freedom to their liking, and were soon an established tenant of Westfield. Now black squirrels are to be found all over the Pioneer Valley and are numerous especially in the park.

Squirrel enjoying a pecan for a snack
Black Squirrel

Stanley Home Products