Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Stockbridge MA is rich in historical and cultural attractions, its wide Main Street lined with grand houses, each set apart in its own lawns and gardens.

Stately trees fill the skyline.

The ambience is quiet and refined.

You'll want to stroll along Main Street east of the Red Lion Inn, admiring the well-kept old buildings, houses and shops. Then go west to see even grander houses, and north to take in the view from Eden Hill. More...

In and around Stockbridge, visit Chesterwood, the summer estate and studio of renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French; Naumkeag, the sumptuous estate of a wealthy New York lawyer; Mission House, with furnishings from 1740 and earlier; the Norman Rockwell Museum; and the Berkshire Theater Festival.

Though similarly named, the village of West Stockbridge, 4.3 miles (7 km) northwest of Stockbridge, is a much smaller, quite different place with its own special ambience. More...

Transportation

Car is the easiest way to reach Stockbridge, though bus is possible.

The easiest way to reach Stockbridge is by car via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90; Exit 1, West Stockbridge/MA Route 41, or Exit 2, Lee/US Route 20).

(Although the Mass. Pike passes fairly close to the north of Stockbridge, there is no exit right there.)

Note that West Stockbridge is actually more to the north of Stockbridge than to the west.

There is Bonanza Busintercity bus service to Lee and Lenox, and Amtrak train service to Pittsfield, and to Albany NY. More...

Local buses run by the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority connect Berkshire County towns and resorts with one another.

Distances from Stockbridge

Albany NY: 42 miles (68 km) NW, 50 minutes

BostonMA: 131 miles (211 km) E, 2.5 hours

Great Barrington MA: 7 miles (11 km) S, 15 minutes

Lenox MA: 6 miles (10 km) N, 15 minutes

Lee MA: 4 miles (6-1/2 km) NE, 10 minutes

North Adams MA: 35 miles (56 km) N, 1 hour

West Stockbridge MA: 5 miles (8 km) NW, 10 minutes

Williamstown MA: 34 miles (55 km) N, 55 minutes

What to See & Do

Mission House Museum

Built by the Reverend John Sergeant to carry out his Christian mission to the Stockbridge Indians, the house is furnished in American pieces all dating from 1740 or earlier.

Mission House, on Main Street in the center of Stockbridge MA (map), was built in 1739 by the Reverend John Sergeant to carry out his Christian mission to the Stockbridge Indians.

The house is a National Historic Landmark owned by The Trustees of Reservations, and is furnished in American pieces all dating from 1740 or earlier. Guided tours are offered.

It's open from Memorial Day (late May) to Columbus Day (mid-October), 11 am to 4 pm, closed Monday.

Mission House
19 Main Street (map)
Stockbridge MA 01262
Tel: 413-298-3239

Merwin House

This late-Federal-style residence, across from the Mission House at 14 Main Street, is now a museum with an eclectic mix of European and American objects and furnishings. More...

Naumkeag

Just west of the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, this palatial mansion (1886) was designed by renowned architect Stanford White. Many of the sumptuous furnishings are still in place, and there are extensive formal gardens.

Naumkeag, the Choate residence
in Stockbridge MA.

Many of the sumptuous period furnishings of this palatial 1886 Stanford White mansion are still in place, and the grounds are simply beautiful.

Palatial Naumkeag in Stockbridge MA was designed by renowned architect Stanford White for Joseph Hodges Choate (1832-1917), a New York City attorney, and finished in 1886.

Many of the sumptuous period furnishings are still in place, and there are 49 acres (20 hectares) of formal gardens, including a Chinese temple with a circular Moon Gate, an Afternoon Garden, and the striking Blue Steps, a graceful cascade of staircases, white railings, pools and paper birch trees that is much admired—and much photographed.

The water steps at Naumkeag, a sumptuous estate in Stockbridge MA.

Joseph Choate was appointed US ambassador to the Court of St James's in 1899, and the family lived in London until 1905.

Miss Mabel Choate, one of Joseph's daughters, inherited Naumkeag in 1929, and spent her summers here until her death in 1958, when Naumkeag was willed to The Trustees of Reservations, who now own it and open it to the public.

The mansion is open every day from Memorial Day (late May) to Columbus Day (mid-October), 10 am 5 pm.

You must take a 35-minute guided tour to visit the house; you may wander in the gardens on your own (after paying the admission fee). The last tour of the day departs at about 4:15 pm.

From the Red Lion Inn on Main Street in the center of Stockbridge, follow Pine Street toward the National Shrine of Divine Mercy on Eden Hill, but follow the signs to the left to Prospect Hill Road and Naumkeag, barely a mile from the center of Stockbridge.

You can walk to Naumkeag from the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge in about 30 minutes (uphill; map).

Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Road (map)
Stockbridge MA
Tel: 413-298-3239

Berkshire Botanical Garden

Near the junction of MA 102 and 183, these pleasant gardens offer natural refreshment after all that indoor culture. More...

Norman Rockwell Museum

South of the berkshire Botanical Garden along MA 183, this museum boasts the world's largest collection of works by famed illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). It also features changing exhibits of others' art.

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA.

For decades Norman Rockwell was America's favorite popular artist. His illustrations for magazine covers and posters captured the best, funniest and most poignant moments in American life.

The world's largest permanent collection of paintings and illustrations by illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) is at the Norman Rockwell Museum just outside of Stockbridge MA (map).

Norman Rockwell wanted to be an artist from an early age, and began his artistic studies at the age of 14. While still a teenager, he became the art director of Boys' Life, the official magazine of the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1916, at the age of 22, he painted his first picture to appear on the cover of the popular Saturday Evening Post magazine. An amazing 321 of his illustrations appeared on the cover of the Post over the next 47 years.

Married in 1930 to Mary Barstow—his second marriage— Rockwell and his wife started a family. The couple and their three sons moved to the small town of Arlington VT, north of Bennington VT, in 1939.

In 1943 a disastrous fire destroyed Rockwell's studio and many of his works. Ten years later, he and his family moved to Stockbridge MA, where he lived and worked until his death in 1978.

The Norman Rockwell Museum is set in 36 acres of green, rolling lawns fringed with forest about 2 miles west of Stockbridge. For more, see the Norman Rockwell Museum website.

Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale Road (MA Route 183; map)
Stockbridge MA 01262
Tel: 413-298-4100

(The Norman Rockwell Museum of Vermont, in Rutland VT, is another place to see the artist's work. More...)

Chesterwood

Just a short distance beyond the Norman Rockwell Museum is the Berkshire summer estate of renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French features his studio and a gallery of his work.

The north façade of the studio at Chesterwood in Stockbridge MA, still holding works in progress by sculptor Daniel Chester French.

The Berkshire estate of renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French features his studio and a gallery of his work.

Just a few miles west of Stockbridge along MA Route 102 (map) is Chesterwood, the former summer estate of famed sculptor Daniel Chester French.

French's monumental works include the Seated Lincoln in Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial, and The Minute Man at Concord North Bridge.

French (1850-1931) summered here from 1897 until 1931 and used the studio (built in 1898) near the house for his work.

You can visit both the mansion and studio as well as an 1800s barn which has been converted to a gallery featuring exhibits on French's life and work.

Chesterwood is open daily from May through October, 10 am to 5 pm.

A lovely country gentleman's garden, a woodland walk laid out by French himself, a panoramic view of Monument Mountain, and a museum store are unexpected extras to a Chesterwood visit.

Admission fees go toward the upkeep of the property, which is maintained by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Daniel Chester French's grave is in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord MA. More...

Chesterwood
4 Williamsville Road (map)
P O Box 827
Stockebridge MA 01262
chesterwood@nthp.org
Tel: 413-298-3579

Berkshire Theater Festival

From late June through August, plays are staged in the Berkshire Playhouse and other venues on Monday through Saturday evenings, and on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

The Berkshire Theater Festival in Stockbridge MA, founded in 1928, has brought theater to the Berkshires for the better part of a century. It's organized by the Berkshire Theatre Group which stages performing arts events on five stages: three at the Festival's campus in Stockbridge, two in Pittsfield.

Performances of theater classics, with big-name performers, are given in the Main Theater (once called the Berkshire Playhouse). Newer, more experimental works are set in the neighboring, smaller Unicorn Theater, and outdoor performances are at the Neil Ellenoff Stage.

The Festival includes performances staged at two venues in Pittsfield: the historic Colonial Theater and adjoining Garage.

From late June through August, plays are staged Monday through Saturday evenings, and on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

For details on performances and tickets, see the Berkshire Theater Festival website.

Click here for information on all theater activities in the Berkshires.

Berkshire Theater Festival
P O Box 797
Stockbridge MA 01262
info@berkshiretheatre.org
Tel: 413-298-5576

West Stockbridge

An entirely diferent town west of Lenox and northwest of Stockbridge proper, West Stockbridge has a number of shops and art galleries. More...

National Shrine of the Divine Mercy

Atop Eden Hill, north along Pine Street from the Red Lion Inn, is a sumptuous estate owned by the Catholic Marian fathers. From its beginning as an Indian mission in 1734, the estate has seen many additions over the years. Having served as a mansion for the wealthy and as a private school, it is now a monastery and shrine. Visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds and take in the impressive buildings and the views of the Berkshire Hills. More...

Skiing

There are six downhill ski areas in the Berkshires: Berkshire East, Bosquet, Brodie, Butternut, Catamount, Jiminy Peak, and Otis Ridge. More...

Where to Stay

Stockbridge boasts several famous classic New England inns, with numerous other lodging choices nearby.

The most famous, in-demand lodging in Stockbridge is of course the 4-star, 108-room Red Lion Inn, with its all-season outdoor swimming pool and several restaurants and a pub.

The smaller but equally elegant 4-star, 15-room Inn at Stockbridge is also a top choice, with its seasonal outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, game room, and complimentary wine and cheese hour in the afternoon.

Lots of other lodgings are available nearby. Check room rates and availability here:

More Information...

The Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce maintains the Stockbridge Visitors Center on Main Street, open in summer and autumn.

Try this Hotel Search Box for lodgings in Stockbridge: