Explore an American Original: The Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge studio (above, left) and the Norman Rockwell Museum (above, right)

Thinking about a weekend jaunt to Tanglewood and the beautiful Berkshires? If so, don’t overlook an American cultural treasure that’s right in the neighborhood – the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

From his 50 years of touching Saturday Evening Post covers to his “Four Freedoms” paintings inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address, Norman Rockwell’s works chronicled American life and ideals through a spirit and gentle humor that was all his own.

Located on 36 acres overlooking the scenic Housatonic River, the Museum houses the world’s largest collection of original Rockwell art, including more than 100,000 paintings, drawings and photographs, as well as letters, momentos and rare works from private collections.

Rockwell spent his last 25 years in Stockbridge, and many of his beloved images were drawn from this community and inspired by his neighbors. The Museum’s expansive grounds and gardens also feature sculptures by Rockwell’s son, Peter.

Hours: May-October, open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; November-April, open weekdays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and weekends 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Location: On Route 183, just 0.6 miles south of the Route 183 and Route 102 junction. The Museum is a 2.5 hour drive from Boston or New York City.

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