Norman Rockwell: Outdoors

No Swimming

No Swimming, 1921.
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978),
Oil on canvas, 25 1/2″ x 22 1/4″.
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, June 4, 1921.
Norman Rockwell Museum Collections.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Norman Rockwell’s art often contain comforting scenes of Americans enjoying the outdoors. Though he was born and raised in New York City, Rockwell showed a fondness for spending time outside. During his childhood, he enjoyed many summers in upstate New York, fishing, swimming, and exploring the countryside with brother Jarvis. In 1912, at the age of nineteen, he illustrated the Boy Scout Hikebook. Shortly after, he was named art editor of Boys’ Life magazine. Though he left the magazine in 1917, Rockwell maintained a sixty-year association with the group. From 1925 to 1976, his paintings of outdoor activities were seen by millions of Americans in the Boy Scouts’ annual calendar.

Rockwell’s popularity as an illustrator shone through his depictions of small-town life in works such as Fishing Trip, No Swimming, and the Four Sporting Boys series. However, he also enjoyed frequent travels around the world for vacation and commercial work. In 1955, Pan American World Airways commissioned a series of advertisements by Rockwell, and flew him around the world to visit and document life in a vast array of cultures and cities, including London, Rome, Istanbul, Karachi, Calcutta, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, among many others.

Rockwell also enjoyed spending time outdoors in Stockbridge. In order to create the vibrant painting, Spring Flowers, he borrowed his wife Mollie’s gardening tools, gloves, and sneakers. His 1971 painting, Norman Rockwell’s 78th Spring (Springtime in Stockbridge), displays a favorite activity of the artist and his wife. Norman and Mollie often rode their bicycles in and around town. A favorite route was a seven-mile round-trip from their home to Lake Averic, just north of the Norman Rockwell Museum. During your visit, please take time to explore and enjoy our 36 acres of scenic landscape.

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’s 78th Spring (Springtime in Stockbridge),

Norman Rockwell’s 78th Spring (Springtime in Stockbridge), 1971
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Story illustration for “Norman Rockwell’s 78th Spring” by Allen Hurlburt, Look, June 1, 1971
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection,
Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1973.091

Karachi, Pakistan (study),

Karachi, Pakistan (study), 1956
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Advertising illustration study for Pan American Airlines
Charcoal on paper
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection,
Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1973.112

Glen Canyon Dam

Glen Canyon Dam, 1969
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Commissioned work by United States Department of Interior
Oil on canvas
US Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers, 1969
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Story illustration for McCall’s, May 1969
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection,
Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1973.090

Hey Fellers - Come On In!

Hey Fellers, Come On In! 1920
Cover illustration for The Country Gentleman, June 19, 1920
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection,
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Cushman, Jr., NRM.1985.04

Daniel Boone, Pioneer Scout,

Daniel Boone, Pioneer Scout, 1914
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Story illustration for “Scouting with Daniel Boone” by Everett T. Tomlinson, Boys’ Life, July 1914
Oil on canvas en grisaille
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Museum purchase, NRM.1989.01

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.