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Monday, December 15, 2014

A Norman Rockwell Weekend

Last weekend, the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts outfitted its downtown in the style of its most celebrated long-term resident, Norman Rockwell. 

Main Street at Christmas is a recreation of Rockwell's iconic painting of a quaint New England village at the Christmas holiday. 



The weekend's activities were sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and Saturday's rain did not deter visitors to the Norman Rockwell Museum or to the sold-out holiday concert on Saturday night. 


We started our weekend in Stockbridge with a trip to a local coffeehouse and then went to explore the Norman Rockwell Museum, home of the world's largest collection of Rockwell art, including 323 Saturday Evening Post covers.



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

After our morning of culture, we ventured out to Great Barrington for lunch at a solar-powered brewery to continue my husband's quest of the perfect beer. 


The wood stove was the perfect remedy for the cold December rain. 

Pretty good, but still looking...

Wise advice from Mr. Rockwell

Then, after a bit of shopping at the nearby outlet mall, we found another bakery for the best baklava I have ever had. 


The weekend culminated with a recreation of Rockwell's painting, Main Street at Christmas

Definitely a destination for vintage car lovers


Lined with vintage cars and shops offering their finest, Main Street came to life with carolers at the historic Red Lion Inn, a colorful jester, horse-drawn wagon rides, and throngs of merry-makers awaiting Santa's arrival on a vintage fire engine. 




On the porch of the Red Lion Inn

Carolers at the Red Lion Inn

Wrestling with the Christmas tree

Santa arrives

What a relief that the rain of the day before had moved out and been replaced with a bright blue sky. 

We had a great time. 

The Berkshires are a year-round destination and this Christmas celebration did not disappoint. With events planned for the whole family, this destination event is a crowd-pleaser. 

Book early, especially if you plan to stay at the iconic Red Lion Inn

If you're local, have you ever attended this event? 

If not, does your area host a similar nostalgic holiday weekend? 

Feed our wanderlust for next year. 








28 comments:

  1. My family and I go to Stockbridge every year for shopping at Lee and then a late lunch/dinner at The Red Lion Inn. Nothing is more "Christmas" then that town in the winter season! We truly love it and I love the way you highlighted it here.

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    1. Thank you! We had a great time. We were able to sneak in some shopping in Lee too. Going to the Rockwell Museum really pulled it all together. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  2. So glad you shared this! Loved seeing those sweet little shops!

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  3. How awesome is this? I felt like I took a giant leap back in time. This was fantastic!

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    1. The vintage cars were great and it was like stepping back in time. Thank you so much for stopping by, Mary.

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  4. Looks like a great time! So pretty. I love Norman Rockwell's paintings and it's neat that they recreate this one at Christmas.

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    1. Rockwell's art is fun. I love the Post covers...like a time capsule. This was a fun weekend overall...a real destination weekend. Thank you for stopping by, Hilda.

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  5. This is soooo nostalgic! I had no idea there was a Norman Rockwell museum. Looks so cozy and fun.

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    1. Rockwell's art is fun and the museum is a real gem. I love the Post covers...like a time capsule. This was a fun weekend overall...a real destination weekend. Thank you for stopping by, Lisa.

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    1. Agreed, Annette. There is something for everyone, for sure. Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. I bet I would have loved this! We had our town's annual Winter Walk last weekend, which was surprisingly nice and well-attended as well, despite the freezing rain. And the Red Lion Inn! I ate there with friends last month and it's so cozy and storybook-like.

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    1. The Red Lion is a gem. This weekend was full of nostalgia and Christmas fun. I'm so glad we went.

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  8. I have never attended but that looks so lovely! I love his piece of advice. The vintage cars and all the shops just look so nostalgic.

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    1. I am so glad we went. It's been on my radar for a while. The Berkshires also has great food and artisans....a weekend destination for sure.

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  9. I love all of your photos! I enjoyed following on Instagram too!

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  10. Sounds like a really cool weekend! I've never encountered a solar-powered brewery before. You'll have to let us know when your husband finds the perfect beer! (if that quest leads you to Cleveland, check out Great Lakes)

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    1. I will give him that tip..thanks so much! We had a great time.

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  11. hello from the blog hop! i have to say, what a great day! love the holiday decorations around the town, i love museums (i work at one!) and i love vintage cars! so many good things in one :)

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    1. Welcome, Yelle. We had a great weekend. How fun that you work in a museum. What kind of art?Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  12. Wow what great pics! I love the be nice or leave note lol. Looks like you had an amazing time!

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    1. Thank you, Carolann. We had a great weekend. It's a destination event for sure.

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  13. It looks like such a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas! And that baklava looks amazing. Thank you so much for linking up on #WeekendWanderlust! The only thing that I ask is next time that you place our badge at the bottom of your post along with a link back to the blog where you linked up. That way, other people can find our link-up and read the other travel blog posts :) If you need any further instruction, you can find it here: http://justinpluslauren.com/link Thank you! :)

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    1. Thank you, Lauren. I must have just forgotten...it's on the others. Thanks.

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