Country Memories I

While visiting New England, Nanette and I decided to search for some of the old haunts of our mutual hero – Normal Rockwell. While touring Arlington, Vermont we came upon the house where Rockwell lived during the 1940’s and 1950’s. This beautiful old colonial house is located near a tiny covered bridge and is situated on a village green. Behind the house sits the barn-like building Rockwell used as his studio.

I was speechless with excitement! Here was the very location where many of Rockwell’s best known paintings were created. What’s more, upon snooping around, we discovered that the current owners of Rockwell’s home and studio had converted the ample buildings into a charming country inn! We managed – with a bit of haggling – to reserve Rockwell’s studio for the night. That evening, while warming ourselves in front of the fireplace, we could almost image Norman Rockwell sitting besides us reminiscing about his painting career.

Country Memories I The Old Covered Bridge at Thomaston Brook is a loving tribute to the charming country era Rockwell called home for so many years. It is also a tribute to the simpler, wholesome era he captured in many of his paintings, when a night out mean a ride in a horse-drawn carriage and a day off meant a trip to the village fishing hole. Incidentally, the village in the background is a compilation of many of the villages we visited on our trip. So, don’t be disappointed when you don’t see this exact view if you ever visit Norman Rockwell’s home territory!