WESTFIELD-A simple oak tree nestled in the woods of Stanley Park has a special significance for Philip Caswell III who grew up on Mountain View Street.
“My grandfather loved to walk and we would end up at the ‘Enchanted Oak,’” said Caswell during a recent phone interview from his home in Florida.
Philip Caswell III shares a special connection to Stanley Park – thanks to his late grandfather – Frank Stanley Beveridge – who introduced him to the ‘Enchanted Oak.’ (Submitted photo)
Caswell’s grandfather, the late Frank Stanley Beveridge, was the founder of Stanley Home Products in 1931 and in 1947, created the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation as a trust. By 1949, Beveridge established Stanley Park of Westfield, Inc. on 20 acres of land. The Beveridge Family Foundation, Inc. was established in 2001 with a restricted gift from the Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation to support Stanley Park, and then in 2008, the two foundations merged to provide grant support for a variety of charitable causes.
The story of the ‘Enchanted Oak’ recently surfaced when Robert McKean, managing director of Stanley Park, discussed a framed sign that would soon grace the area of the old oak tree. In recognition of Caswell’s many years serving on the Stanley Park board of directors, McKean and the board members created a special space in the proximity of the storied oak tree by planting a young oak tree. Caswell resigned from the board in 2017.
“We planted his ‘honor’ tree,” said McKean. “We are all very fortunate and honored to have Phil on our Board and around for input with firsthand knowledge from Frank Stanley Beveridge.”
The sign is titled “Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” and notes Caswell’s dedication to his grandfather’s mission will not be forgotten.
During the phone interview, Caswell spoke fondly of his grandfather and recounted the unique memories during the late 1940’s they had shared.
Cables have been installed on the ‘Enchanted Oak’ to save the tree. (Submitted photo)
“During our walks we always ended up at the oak tree,” said Caswell. “The oak tree had a Y shape and the section where the tree joined was six feet off the ground. He would lift me up so I could reach inside the cavity to see if anything interesting was nestled inside it.”
What Caswell didn’t know during his younger years is that Beveridge would leave nickels and dimes – and on a rare occasion a quarter – for Caswell to find.
“It was a big deal,” said Caswell, noting the delight he felt when he unearthed a treasure from the oak tree.
When Caswell was in the city last fall on business, his son Ward S. Caswell brought him to the site and took some photos. McKean noted that at that time, Caswell was not aware of the new planting that was in his honor.
“I couldn’t resist when I saw the Enchanted Oak,” said Caswell. “I went over to the tree to check it out and see if anything was hidden there.”
A bear walks by the ‘Enchanted Oak’ at Stanley Park. (Submitted photo)
Caswell said the conversations with his grandfather on those walks back in the 1940’s were priceless and mostly centered on the plants they would encounter along the way.
“His dream was to be a horticulturist,” said Caswell.
During Caswell’s teenage years he would work during the summer at the park – mostly picking up trash.
“We would punch a card and start work, mostly using a broom handle that had the end whittled down sharp so we could pick up trash,” said Caswell, adding he also enjoyed listening to his grandfather and all of the Stanley Home Products executives who would give speeches to associates who traveled to the park for sales meetings.
“Every week there were mobs of sales associates from across the country coming into the park,” said Caswell.
One of his fondest memories with his grandfather was driving Beveridge’s Cadillac around the park.
“My grandfather was a terrible driver,” said Caswell. “From his home on the corner of Western Avenue and Lloyds Hill Road he would let me drive his car to the park. That was very special since I was 10 at the time.”
Caswell attended local schools and then in his teens attended the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield. He graduated from Babson College and entered the U.S. Navy where he received a commission. Over the years he worked for the Third National Bank of Hampden County in Springfield, and the Old Stone Bank in Providence, R.I., and then became president of the Beveridge Family Foundation until his retirement in 2008.
While Caswell has called Florida home since 1985, his memories of Westfield and Stanley Park will always be a special part of his life.
“The area that was created in my honor is very meaningful to me,” said Caswell.
