WESTFIELD-The Colonial Village at Stanley Park needs some TLC.
On a recent morning visit to the park, Bob McKean, Stanley Park’s managing director, zipped around in a golf cart to explain the need for a major refurbishing of the buildings in the pond area including The Mill House, Blacksmith Shop and the Carriage House.
Bob McKean, managing director at Stanley Park, is seen inside the blacksmith shop next to the pond.
“Our hope is to open one of the buildings in the future as a visitor-type center and museum with memorabilia from Stanley Home Products and Stanley Park’s early days,” said McKean.
A natural spring pond is the backdrop for the Colonial Village which includes The Mill House which is a working mill. The cascading waterfall behind the building supplies the power for the waterwheel.
“Inside one can find many tools that are powered by this waterwheel,” said McKean, adding the waterwheel inspired the name of ‘Big Wheel’ for Stanley’s popular line of men’s products.
“The water wheel is currently broken and the roof needs to be replaced,” said McKean.
The Colonial Village will be getting some needed repairs in the coming months.
Also on the pond is the Blacksmith Shop, a reproduction from the Colonial era which could be found in every community, noted McKean. Inside the shop is a variety of tools including a forge, bellows and anvil.
“All are authentic to the period and in working condition,” said McKean, adding he would welcome individuals who are familiar with blacksmithing to consider volunteering their time so the shop could be open to the public.
“Currently, the shop’s roof is also in need of replacement,” he said.
Flanking the shop is the Covered Bridge, an authentic replica which is registered with the Covered Bridge Society of North America.
“The covered bridge has undergone a roof repair and the sides have been stained,” said McKean.
At the far end of the pond is the Carriage House, also a replica from the Colonial era, which was built in the late 1960’s. Jack King, a seasonal carpenter who has worked at the park for 19 years, was reglazing the windows during the morning visit.
Jack King, a seasonal carpenter at Stanley Park, re-glazes the windows of the Carriage House.
“Work inside the Carriage House is also needed since it hasn’t been open to the public for some time,” said McKean.
McKean noted that capital projects like the Colonial Village are done on a schedule when funding is available.
“We would expect that refurbishing the Colonial Village buildings would be about $150,000,” said McKean.
As the end of the year closes in, individuals, businesses or organizations interested in making a tax-deductible donation are encouraged to consider the Partner in Preservation at Stanley Park program, or a donation of any denomination is especially welcomed. Stanley Park is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
The Carriage House at Stanley Park.
“On one’s donation it can be restricted to a specific project in the park,” said McKean, adding that Stanley Park is not a city or state park and only receives its funding through donations, membership in Partner in Preservation, and other support.
Additionally, businesses may make “gift in-kind” donations which could include labor for special projects, products including lumber or cedar shingles, as well as paint or stain. Building needs also include electrical assistance as well as professional cleaning services.
“When businesses help us there are tax write-off opportunities,” said McKean.
McKean noted that because Stanley Park is a private park, grants are applied for from the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation to fund park maintenance.
Bob McKean flanks a diorama of Stanley Park which has been an integral part of the Carriage House for years.
“We will continue to fine-tune, modify and tweak several areas throughout the park as we stay on course and follow the Capital Facility Maintenance Program that has an outlay looking forward into the years 2035 and beyond,” noted McKean in a Lasting Footprints article. “This program is one that helps put projects, repairs and updates on a schedule that we feel can be accomplished with the funding we anticipate from our wonderful donors, supporters and staff.”
For more information on ways to get involved or to make a donation, call (413) 568-9312, ext. 101 or visit www.stanleypark.org.
