Page 2 - Stockbridge Chamber Brochure 2019 WEB (1)_Neat

Stockbridge is shaped by its rich history – from
its origin as an Indian mission town, to its
heyday as a summer home for wealthy families
of the Gilded Age, to its current small-town
atmosphere captured so endearingly by the
American illustrator, Norman Rockwell.

STOCKBRIDGE: A WALKING TOUR (see map, pages 22-23)

We have mapped out a route that samples our now the left wing, was built in 1864. The library “Cottages” built by wealthy industrialists as sum-
history, culture, vistas, and leisurely shopping. houses the Historical Room, a museum and mer mansions during the opulent Gilded Age.
Start at the town’s crossroads, Main and South research center containing the original Hitty doll The corner of Main and Sergeant Street pres-
Street (Rte. 7). The famed Red Lion Inn, originally and artifacts from the town’s earliest inhabitants, ents you with The Mission House museum, built
founded as the Inn at the Sign of the Red Lion the Mahican Indians. in 1739 (the year Stockbridge was incorporated)
in 1773 (along with the sign of King George III), The 1881 Watering Trough stands at the corner by Rev. John Sergeant, the first missionary to
graces the corner. Its famous front porch beckons of Main and Elm. It features the homilies “Utility the Mahican Indians. Originally located on Eden
visitors to sit, sip, and people watch. Set in the is preferable to grandeur” and “Merciful man is Hill, the Mission House was moved to its Main
triangular park at the center of the crossroads is kind to his beast.” As you walk down Elm Street, Street site in the 1920s, restored, furnished
one of Stockbridge’s public landmarks, the 1862 you’ll notice the 1862 red and white firehouse with authentic period pieces, and opened as a
Cat and Dog Fountain. known as Hose House No.1 that Rockwell pic- museum in 1930. Continuing West on Main you
A right turn from the crossroads leads you tured in his work “The New American LaFrance is will discover the historic Stockbridge Cemetery
past many historic buildings. Norman Rockwell here!” The impressive 1862 St. Joseph’s Church with its Sedgwick Pie, the ancestral plot of one of
captured the interior of the 1884 House, the origi- is at the left corner. Stockbridge’s oldest families.
nal Stockbridge Town Offices, in “The Marriage Turn the corner onto Maple Street, take a right Cross Main Street to the 19th century Village
License.” Be sure to explore The Mews, a Main onto South Street, passing The Red Lion Inn, and Green, site of the 1824 Congregational Church,
Street cul-de-sac of shops, and its neighboring cross Main. You will be on Pine Street at the site with membership dating back to 1739; addi-
byway that marks the spot of the original Alice’s of the 1866 Soldiers Monument. At that corner, tional war memorials, and the Children’s Chime
Restaurant of Arlo Guthrie fame. the 1884 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church features a Tower, dedicated in 1878 and rung at 5:30 every
At the corner of Main and Elm stands the chancel window by LaFarge, baptistery by Louis St. evening from “apple blossom time until frost” in
Stockbridge Library. One of the oldest libraries in Gaudens, and nave window by Tiffany. accordance with the donor’s wishes. The historic
Western Massachusetts, the original structure, Go west on Main Street, toward the beautiful Greek Revival building is the Historic Town Hall

2 Stockbridge Welcomes You 2019-2020