Nestled
in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts is Stockbridge. It
combines the feel of a quaint mountain town with amazing scenery
loads of history and spectacular attractions into one of the gems of
New England.
Initially
called Indian Town when first settled in 1737 it was incorporated in
1739 and named Stockbridge after a town in Hampshire, England. As of
2015 the population of Stockbridge was only 1,846 laid out over
23-square miles. This mixed in with the rolling hills makes this
every bit a small town. Yet it is a hugely popular destination
especially in summer.
Despite
being surrounded and engulfed by the Berkshire Hills one cannot begin
a visit to Stockbridge without going to the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The famed 20th century artists used the town as an
inspiration for his illustrations. Though he was born in New York
City in 1894 Rockwell moved to Stockbridge in 1953 and lived out his
remaining years there. The museum which bares his name was founded
in 1969 and includes more than 100,000 items of which 998 are
original paintings and drawings. Rockwell’s studio was also moved
to the site and is open from May to October while the museum is the
most popular year-round attraction in town.
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To
enjoy scenery and solitude there are a pair of attractions located
close to each other. The Naumkeag Mansion is the centerpiece of an
estate once owned by New York City lawyer Joseph Choate. The 44-room
mansion is part of a 48-acre property with panoramic views and was
built in 1884. It is open except for January, February, and March.
Located less than half a mile from Naumkeag is The National Shrine of
the Divine Mercy. The Roman Catholic shrine resides on 350-acres and
was first opened in 1960. It welcomes tens of thousands of people
annually whether worshipers or those who simply wish to take in the
beautiful scenery.
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| The scenery at Eden Hill, National Shrine of the Divine Mercy |
When
looking for shopping, dining, and lodging options one only needs to
venture down to Stockbridge’s famed Main Street. One destination
must be The Red Lion Inn. Today it is an 82-room iconic hotel that
has been in operation in one form or another since 1773. From
Presidents Cleveland, McKinley, Coolidge, Theodore and Franklin
Roosevelt, to celebrities like John Wayne and Bob Dylan, it is a
place to say one stayed as much as it is a place to stay.
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| The Red Lion Inn |
A stroll
along Main Street allows you to pass by longtime shops like Williams
& Sons Country Store, established in the 1790’s, Main Street
Cafe, and Stockbridge General Store. Or stroll down the alley next
to the General Store to visit Theresa’s Stockbridge Cafe, formerly
known as Alice’s Restaurant, made famous by the Arlo Guthrie song
in 1967.
Located
130 miles from Boston, 70 miles from Hartford, and 140 miles from New
York City Stockbridge is an escape that is not far away. Beautiful
in the winter snow or the blooming spring flowers it is never a bad
time to check out this quaint town in the Berkshire Hills
immortalized by Norman Rockwell’s art.
Check
out a video of some of Stockbridge’s attractions here:
If
You Go:
- Norman Rockwell Museum – 9 Glendale Road (https://www.nrm.org/ )
- Naumkeag Mansion – 5 Prospect Hill Road (https://naumkeag.thetrustees.org/ )
- National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (https://www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/ )
- Red Lion Inn – 30 Main Street (https://www.redlioninn.com/ )
- Theresa’s Stockbridge Cafe – 40 Main Street
Visit
my website: Christopher Setterlund.com
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