Norman Rockwell Museum holds the world’s largest collection of original work by Norman Rockwell, and changing exhibitions on the art of illustration. Founded in 1969 with help from the artist and his wife Molly, the Museum began as a historical center for the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where Rockwell lived and worked for the last 15 years of his life. Literally due to public demand, the Museum relocated to its new property on the Linwood Estate in 1994, with a larger exhibition space, and opened Rockwell’s Stockbridge studio to visitors (from May to October). The Museum is open year-round, and holds such iconic Rockwell works as “The Four Freedoms,” “The Runaway,” and “The Problem We All Live With” in its permanent collection.The Museum showcases Rockwell’s work in the context of illustration, the artist’s beloved profession. Changing exhibitions have featured such contemporary and past masters as Maxfield Parrish, Rockwell Kent, James Gurney, and Jerry Pinkney. The Museum’s bucolic 36-acre campus offers visitors a scenic view of the Housatonic River and Berkshire hills, and plenty of space to hike, picnic and explore. Also on the property are sculptures created by Peter Rockwell, the artist’s youngest son, and offer children a fun climbing challenge. During the summer and fall the Museum’s outdoor terrace café is open for lunch, and frequently offers live entertainment. The Museum offers programs and events for all ages, and a creativity center open daily. Group and school tours are available. For more information, visit the Museum online at http://www.nrm.org
The story behind the land that holds the historical society is just as fascinating as the history of the two buildings. The property used to hold a house which belonged to a man named Mr. Melcher, who donated both his house and the land to the historical society. After his passing, his house along with a few others that had been donated had been put up for sale. Due to inability to sell as well as a need for a safe, permanent location to hold the artifacts that the historical society was able to salvage from two devastating fires, the house was razed and a museum built. Much of this was made possible from the generosity of the late Sceva Speare, a local distinguished businessman, in honor of his wife Florence Hyde Speare. The actual building was erected between 1971-1972 and underwent renovations around 1993.
Recently my kids and I drove down to 
