Norman Rockwell: Home for the Holidays

“The commonplaces of America are to me the richest subjects in art.”

Norman Rockwell

Among Norman Rockwell’s best-known illustrations are heartwarming scenes that capture the essence of American holiday traditions celebrated throughout the year-from Valentine’s Day and Independence Day to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the magic of the Christmas season.

Rockwell’s connection to holiday-inspired art can be traced to his youth, when at the age of fifteen, a parishioner of his family’s church employed his talents for Christmas card designs. As an adult, Rockwell would become a fixture at Hallmark, a company that continues to market his midcentury illustrations for holiday greeting cards. The Saturday Evening Post, which showcased his art for forty-seven years, typically delegated Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s covers to its most talented and popular illustrators. During Rockwell’s first year with the magazine in 1916, his work was featured on a December cover, and subsequently, the front pages of many additional holiday issues were assigned to him. Seasonal rituals and snowy New England landscapes are viewed through the eyes of homecoming veterans and cheerful, intergenerational families who inhabit Rockwell’s artworks.

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit, 1934
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, December 15, 1934
Oil on canvas
Private Collection

In his autobiography, My Adventures as an Illustrator, Rockwell reminiscences about his father reading the tales of Charles Dickens to him as he carefully sketched the characters. Jarvis Waring Rockwell Sr., born in 1867, might well have been imparting the England of his parents and grandparents to young Norman through Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Rockwell takes inspiration from classic tale for this 1934 Post cover.

Published during the Great Depression, Rockwell’s choice to depict tattily-attired Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim express that good health and family are our greatest gifts, a relatable theme for readers. The cover seems to reflect President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Christmas Eve Greeting to the Nation, “And so let us make the spirit of 1934 that of courage and unity. It is the way to greater happiness and wellbeing.”

Throughout his career, Rockwell considered a strong visual story concept was “the first thing and the last ,” no matter the subject. He often told reporters that despite his unending work schedule, he indulged himself by taking a half-day off on Christmas. Though he used his own art to embellish seasonal cards for friends and family, he was not overly sentimental about the holidays. He viewed turkey carving as “a challenge rather than an invitation,” and he once remarked, “I’ve never played Santa Claus in my life. I wouldn’t dare to.”  Holiday festivities were prominently featured in Rockwell’s work, and inspired readers to consider how their own experiences reflected, or stood in contrast, to those portrayed in his art.

Home for Christmas (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas), 1967

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Home for Christmas (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas), 1967
Illustration for “Home for Christmas,” McCall’s, December 1967
Oil and acrylic on board
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1973.078

Norman Rockwell’s Home for Christmas has come to symbolize Christmas in America, just as Rockwell intended in 1967. Rockwell wanted the editors at McCall’s to identify it as Stockbridge in the text—and they did.

Norman Rockwell takes you on a Christmas Eve walk along Stockbridge’s main street—past the public library, the antiques and gift shops, the insurance office, the supermarket behind its Greek-revival facade: past the barbershop, the old town office, the new town bank and down the rambling Victorian hotel, beyond which is Rockwell’s own studio.

McCall’s reached out to its national audience by adding, “Wherever you happen to hail from—city, suburb, farm or ranch—we hope you will have, for a moment, the feeling of coming home for Christmas.”

In addition to photographs taken of the buildings on Main Street, Rockwell drew on a variety of references to create his snowy winter scene. For sky and mountains, he used photos of snow-draped mountains in the Berkshire Hills, Vermont, and Switzerland. Prints of Siberian winter scenes provided examples of snow-covered streets. For the warm interior glows, he studied magazine images of candlelit country homes. For clothing styles, especially women’s coats, he relied on illustrations in a Sears & Roebuck catalogue. Rockwell’s assistant Louie Lamone photographed each building individually, which is how Rockwell painted them individually.

Established in 1773 as a stagecoach stop, the Red Lion Inn has always been the social hub of town. Rockwell’s South Street home and studio appear at the far right border. In a window above the market, a Christmas tree glows in a room that was Rockwell’s studio from 1953 to 1957. The Old Corner House, which became the home of the first Norman Rockwell Museum two years after the painting was completed, stands at the left border of the painting.

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

Son of David, 1940

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Son of David, 1940
Illustration for “Son of David” by Elizabeth Goudge, Woman’s Home Companion, January 1941, pp. 21-22
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Museum purchase, NRM.1977.02

This illustration accompanied a short story set in Bethlehem, the City of David. Its central character is Miriam, a young Jewish woman who is grief-stricken upon learning of her betrothed Jacob’s tragic death. In her anguish, she clutches the fabrics she has woven for their wedding attire to her chest. Interrupting her sorrow, Naomi, her little sister, asks Miriam to come see the newest Son of David. Miriam, still carrying the precious fabrics, lays them near the manger. The new mother interprets this action as a gift for her child.

Norman Rockwell captures the moment when Miriam realizes that she is not alone in the stable. She is surrounded by poor shepherds, richly-clad merchants, and her little sister, who are paying homage to the newborn as a Roman centurion looks on. Next to Miriam’s unintentional gift, people have laid cake, sheepskins, gold, and spices for the baby Jesus.

The Discovery, 1956

Norman Rockwell (1894–1978)
The Discovery, 1956
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post cover, December 29, 1956
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust, NRACT.1973.005

Intending that it be published as a September or October cover, Rockwell sent this painting of a small boy discovering a Santa suit in the bottom drawer of his father’s dresser to The Saturday Evening Post in July. Instead, the Post ran the image as the December 29 cover in 1956. Though the obvious interpretation of the painting is that Santa does not exist, the Post in its contents section provided an alternate explanation—Santa had left his clothes to be sent to the cleaners.

In The Discovery, Rockwell makes use of doorkijkje, a device favored by seventeenth-century Dutch artists, which literally means a “look through.” An open door through which a distant view can be seen creates another picture plane, which adds depth. This is one of very few images set in a room in Rockwell’s own home. The bureau and pipe were Rockwell’s as well, but the Santa suit was not.

Thanksgiving - Ye Glutton

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Thanksgiving Ye Glutton, 1923
Cover illustration for Life, November 22, 1923
Oil on canvas
Norman Rockwell Museum Collection, Museum Purchase, NRM.1986.03

This Puritan is confined in the stocks—a punishment of public humiliation—for committing the crime of gluttony, one of the deadly sins. Glutton is derived from the Latin word gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow. Today, it is associated with over-consumption of food and spirits. Rockwell creates an amusing juxtaposition of a thin man being chastised for overindulgence on Thanksgiving, a holiday known for overeating. This illustration was created for the humor magazine Life, which was only “second in importance to the Post,” according to Rockwell.

RELATED EVENTS

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MEDIA

Norman Rockwell’s Holiday Village

Published: December 2017

VENUE(S)

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA      Opens November 6, 2021

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.
When attending the Museum, please observe our COVID-19 policies; in addition to Massachusetts Travel Guidelines.

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 Glendale Road Route 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262
413-931-2221

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 10 (formerly 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 10 (formerly 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.