Norman Rockwell Museum wraps up 50th year with holiday exhibit through February 9, 2020.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to education and art appreciation inspired by the legacy of Norman Rockwell.

Located on 36 park-like acres in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Rockwell’s hometown for the last 25 years of his life, the museum holds the world’s largest and most significant collection of art and archival materials relating to the artist’s life and work, while also preserving, interpreting and exhibiting a growing collection of art by other American illustrators throughout history.

The museum engages diverse audiences through onsite and traveling exhibitions, as well as publications, arts and humanities programs, including the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, and comprehensive online resources.

Holiday exhibit

This holiday season, classic Rockwell artwork from the museum’s permanent collection will be joined by rarely exhibited paintings from the Peter & Elaine Guiffreda Collection, and a few privately owned pieces. The art on view demonstrates the compassionate spirit of giving more than just gifts—sharing kindness, love and art. The Spirit of Giving Illustrated exhibit will be at the museum through February 9, 2020.

Discover artist Haddon Sundblom’s 1949 impish elfin figure Sprite Boy, who invites viewers into his soda fountain to enjoy a refreshing Coke. A heartwarming vision of Santa filling the stocking of a sleeping child by beloved 19th century author/illustrator Kate Greenaway will be on view along with Harold Anderson’s sidewalk Santa, who offers a hungry dog a bit of his sandwich. The exhibition includes holiday cards created by artists like Rockwell, gifts of their talents for family and friends.

Rockwell’s 1934 “Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit” reminds us of the transformational power of kindness and compassion toward humanity. In “Christmas Trio,” a bundled-up group of Dickensian carolers and musicians give the gift of music, and “Christmas Homecoming” evokes the warmth of a joyous family gathering. Rockwell gave his 1941 cover illustration, “Girl Reading the Post,” to his friend and fellow artist, Walt Disney, two years after it was published. The museum received the ultimate re-gift in 1999 when this important work was generously donated to the Norman Rockwell Museum by the Walt Disney family.

Reflect on the spirit of the holidays this season by experiencing these inspired works of art.

Plan your visit

The museum is open seven days a week, year-round, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Museum admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $17 for military veterans, $10 for students, and free for children 18 and under.

Norman Rockwell Museum welcomes EBT cardholders and active U.S. military members with free admission throughout the year. Additionally, it is a Blue Star museum and offers active U.S. military personnel and their immediate family complimentary admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

For more information, visit www.nrm.org or call 413-298-4100.