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The Town of Stockbridge

by Rachel Louchen

The charm of the classic New England village of Stockbridge is well documented. From “Alice's Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie to Norman Rockwell's “Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas” it just may be the most iconic small town in America. But for those out of the loop, there is a very present-day community of businesses and organizations that are thriving amongst the pillar businesses of note.

You cannot talk about Stockbridge without mentioning the Red Lion Inn in the same breath. The Inn has been a touchstone of the community for nearly two centuries and is a cultural destination in itself. Guests can stay for the night (or longer), enjoy masterfully prepared meals, nighttime entertainment and shop at the Berkshire goods-only shop. The work of renowned Executive Chef Brian Alberg is nothing short of cutting edge and he is a well known vocal supporter of the local food movement occurring in the Berkshires. Downstairs is the Lion's Den which offers more pub fare as well, live music and allows a Red Lion experience at a wallet friendly price. Whether you spend a few nights there or stop in for a bite to eat, a tour of the classic landmark is a highlight. (Tip: they will be happy to give you a ride in the ancient birdcage elevator, if you are a guest or not).

Of course, Stockbridge is synonymous with Rockwell and the Norman Rockwell Museum does amazing work with his legacy; they also highlight different artists inspired by him. Series, lectures and classes keep the Museum busy throughout the winter.

Chesterwood was the summer estate and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French and now serves as a museum. Declared a national landmark, private tours are offered on the 122-acre property. It's a very stunning landmark. Cassandra Sohn, who's owned Sohn Fine Art on Elm Street for four years, notes the unique mix of old and new, “Stockbridge has an historical and artist path but also a contemporary art culture going on, besides the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Chesterwood has many contemporary shows and a really innovative artist residency and education programs. Combined with the work at Schantz Galleries and my own there is a lot of contemporary art in a historic town.”

The Berkshires is becoming a culinary destination for foodies and Stockbridge is no exception. Once Upon A Table is a bistro with a large menu and wine list, Main Street Cafe is known as a great place for breakfast with a huge menu and Michael's on Elm Street is extremely popular with the locals for its trivia night. Also beloved is Elm Market, great for a quick bite to eat, Our Daily Bread for a sweet treat and Stockbridge Coffee, for a strong cup of brew, usually sourced from Barrington Coffee Roasting Co.

Despite being home to some of the oldest landmarks in the area, Stockbridge is an extremely fun place to spend time as it offers everything: culture, fine dining, art, history and those one-of-a-kind bucolic sights you can only find in the Berkshires.

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