Norman Rockwell: Americans at Work

The Lineman

The Lineman [detail], Norman Rockwell. 1948.
Oil on canvas, 57” x 42 1/8”
Advertisement for American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
From the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum, gift of Verizon Communications, Inc.
Licensed by Norman Rockwell Family Agency

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Norman Rockwell was one of busiest and industrious illustrators of his time. “Meeting deadlines and thinking up ideas are the scourges of an illustrator’s life,” Rockwell said. In order to satisfy the high demand for his art from publishers and advertisers, it would not have been unusual to find him in his studio seven days a week and on holidays.

A humanist and close observer of the world around him, it is perhaps no surprise that working Americans across a broad range of employment sectors were a focus of Rockwell’s art – from education, health care, and law enforcement to agriculture and essential trades. A sense of longing, desire, and humor are entwined in the artist’s wishful images of hardworking people, who seek to do their best and sometimes dream of something more. The artworks in this gallery span Rockwell’s long career, and acknowledge the dignity and dedication of the American worker as seen through his eyes.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born in New York City in 1894, Norman Rockwell always wanted to be an artist. At age 14, Rockwell enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art (formerly The Chase School of Art). Two years later, in 1910, he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design. He soon transferred to The Art Students League, where he studied with Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman. Fogarty’s instruction in illustration prepared Rockwell for his first commercial commissions. From Bridgman, Rockwell learned the technical skills on which he relied throughout his long career. Learn more…

IMAGES

Norman Rockwell Visits a Family Doctor

Norman Rockwell Visits a Family Doctor, 1947
Illustration for “Norman Rockwell Visits a Family Doctor,” The Saturday Evening Post, April 12, 1947,
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1976.344
© 1947 SEPS, Curtis Publishing

Cobbler Studying Doll’s Shoe

Cobbler Studying Doll’s Shoe, 1921
Cover illustration for The Literary Digest, April 31, 1921
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection NRM.2012.05
Gift of the Fitzpatrick Family, In Memory of “Jack” Fitzpatrick

Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor

Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor, 1946
Illustration for “Norman Rockwell Visits a Country Editor,” The Saturday Evening Post, May 24, 1946,
Oil on canvas
Private Collection
© 1946 SEPS, Curtis Publishing

Maternity Scene

Maternity Scene, 1958
Advertising illustration for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Pencil on paper
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Gift of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company

Crestwood Commuter Station

Crestwood Commuter Station 1946
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, November 16, 1946
Oil on canvas
Private Collection
© 1946 SEPS – Curtis Publishing

Mine America’s Coal

Mine America’s Coal, 1944
Poster illustration for U.S. Office of War Information
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, NRM.1978.12

MEDIA

VENUE(S)

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA      July 12, 2020 through September 2020

Hours

OPEN
Mon 10am-4pm
Tue 10am-4pm
Thu 10am-4pm
Fri 10am-4pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-5pm

CLOSED
Wednesdays
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
ROCKWELL’S STUDIO
Closed for the season.
Opens May 1, 2025

Special Holiday Hours: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 10am-2pm.

Admissions

There are limited daily tickets for tours of Norman Rockwell’s Studio. It is recommended you purchase your museum admission and studio tour tickets online in advance of your visit.  Museum Visit admission is required for all tours.

Buy Admission

Members Adult Seniors /
Veterans & Military		 Children MA Teachers College
Students
Museum Visit: Free $25 $23 Free $22 $10
Curator Tour:
Original Sisters		 $10 + $20 + $20 Free + $20 + $20
Guided Tour:
Rockwell’s Life & Art
(40 minutes)		 Free +$10 +$10 Free +$10 +$10

There are limited daily tickets for tours of Norman Rockwell’s Studio. It is recommended you purchase your museum admission and studio tour tickets online in advance of your visit.  Museum Visit admission is required for all tours.

Buy Admission

Museum Visit:
Members, Children, & Active Military: FREE
Adults: $25
Seniors & Retired Military: $23
MA Teachers: $22
College Students: $10

Guided Tour:
Rockwell’s Life & Art
(40 minutes) – additional purchase
Members, Children, & Active Military: FREE
Ticket per person: $10

Curator Tour:
Original Sisters
Members: $10
Children: FREE
Adults: $20
Seniors & Active/Retired Military: $20
College Students: $20

Additional Discount Opportunities:

  • Front Line Medical Workers receive free admission.
  • AAA member, NARM member, Stockbridge Resident, and EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare Cardholder discounts available.

For Free and Reduced prices, you may be required to present a valid ID demonstrating your status for qualifying for discounted pricing.

Available Discounts
Kids Free is supported by:
Connector Card is supported by:
Norman Rockwell Museum receives support from:

DIRECTIONS

Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Route 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262
413-298-4100 x 221

Download a Printable version of Driving Directions (acrobat PDF).

Important note: Many GPS and online maps do not accurately place Norman Rockwell Museum*. Please use the directions provided here and this map image for reference. Google Maps & Directions are correct! http://maps.google.com/

* Please help us inform the mapping service companies that incorrectly locate the Museum; let your GPS or online provider know and/or advise our Visitor Services office which source provided faulty directions.

Route 7 runs north to south through the Berkshires. Follow Route 7 South to Stockbridge. Turn right onto Route 102 West and follow through Main Street Stockbridge. Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

Route 7 runs north to south through the Berkshires. Follow Route 7 North into Stockbridge. Turn left onto Route 102 West at the stop sign next to The Red Lion Inn. Shortly after you make the left turn, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

Boston (two-and-a-half hours) or Springfield (one hour):
Take the Ma ssachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West, getting off at exit 2 – Lee. At the light at the end of the ramp turn left onto Route 20 East and then immediately turn right onto Route 102 West. Follow Route 102 West into Stockbridge Center (about five miles). Continue going west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

from Albany and west: (one hour) Take I-90 east to exit B3 – Route 22. Go south on New York Route 22 to Massachusetts Route 102 East. Stay on Route 102 East through West Stockbridge. Continue on Route 102 East approximately 5.5 miles until you come to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 183. Make a right at the blinking light onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(two-and-a-half hours) Take either the New York State Thruway or the Taconic State Parkway to I-90 East. Follow I-90 East to exit B3 – Route 22. Go south on New York Route 22 to Massachusetts Route 102 East. Stay on Route 102 East through West Stockbridge. Continue on Route 102 East approximately 5.5 miles until you come to a blinking light at the intersection of Route 183. Make a right at the blinking light onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(one-and-a-half hours) Take I-91 North to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West, getting off at exit 2 – Lee. At the light at the end of the ramp turn left onto Route 20 East and then immediately turn right onto Route 102 West. Follow Route 102 West into Stockbridge Center (about five miles). Continue going west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.

(five minutes)
Go west on Route 102 (Main St.). Shortly after going through town, you will veer to the right to stay on Route 102 West for approximately 1.8 miles. At the flashing light, make a left onto Route 183 South and the Museum entrance is 0.6 miles down on the left.