NORMAL ROCKWELL COUNTRY:

Set one day aside for exploring the cities of Pittsfield and Lenox. Both boast main streets lined with fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles that typify New England. Both have excellent restaurants and interesting shopping opportunities. Enjoy a walk on the grounds of Tanglewood near Lenox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

One day is fine to explore Stockbridge and environs. Stockbridge was made famous by artist Norman Rockwell and is a short drive south of Pittsfield. The Red Lion Inn anchors one end of

The small village of West Stockbridge is a gem which is not as "discovered" as its big sister, yet has a charming New England quality about it that even Rockwell would appreciate. West Stockbridge is a great mix of old stores and newer artisan shops. After touring the Shaker mill and dam, we had lunch at Cardlake Country Inn then walked across the street to Charles H. Baldwin & Sons to purchase some vanilla extract. This company, established in 1888, and famous for its flavoring extracts, is housed in an ancient building on Center Street. Drop in at the hardware store across the street from Baldwin's and while there, pay your respects to the live-in dog. Check West Stockbridge out before the village changes too much. It is a beauty!

An afternoon can be spent at the Norman Rockwell Museum just outside of Stockbridge. Rockwell, known for his devotion to detail, said that he Ashowed the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed." His paintings spoke directly to the hearts of North Americans. Many of his best and most loved pictures are on display at the museum including AThe Four Freedoms.@ Enjoy such whimsical paintings as ANo Swimming@ and AArt Critic." Even today, regardless of age, nationality or gender, one cannot help but be touched and moved by Rockwell's detailed work.

Tucked away in the pastoral Berkshire countryside half a mile from the Rockwell Museum is one of the most fascinating places in western Massachusetts. Chesterwood Estate & Museum was home to American Renaissance sculptor, Daniel Chester French, from 1898 to his death in 1931.

During his career French was creator of more than 100 public sculptures. The Chesterwood collection comprises more than 500 pieces. French is most famous for AThe Minuteman@ sculpture in Concord, New Hampshire, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the standing ALincoln@ in Lincoln, Nebraska. A tour comprises both his home and 1898 studio designed by Henry Bacon. The studio is a wonderful architectural blend of north facing skylights, granite and marble.

Surrounded by gardens, designed by French, the building became the hub for the area's social activity, and in 1905, a second more private studio was constructed on the property to give French some respite from visitors.

Hancock Shaker Village, seven miles east of Pittsfield, was the third of 19 major Shaker communities established in New England between 1783 and 1836. At its peak, Hancock was home to more than 300 believers. Known for gender equality, pacifism and dedication to creating a heaven on earth, the Shakers became famous for their simply-styled architecture, furniture, stacking boxes, innovative farm and domestic operations. Hancock has 21 buildings, some are original, while others were moved from lesser known Shaker villages to the site.

Visitors receive an excellent site map with their entry fee. Before you go on-site take time to tour the various exhibits in the Visitor Center. They are designed to answer a number of questions about the Shakers, and to give an informative peek at their lifestyle. The first, and best introduction to Hancock Shaker Village is the spectacular view of the stone barn and fields with the gentle Berkshires as a backdrop - just one of the many photo opportunities throughout the grounds.

At various times during the day, special on-site presentations are given. Staff members are knowledgeable and enjoy what they do, so be sure to ask questions. Watch for some of the unique Shaker features throughout the village. The Laundry building is marvelous with its innovative cone-shaped stove, huge wash boilers and two floors devoted to drying racks, with laundry chutes to send the clothing down to baskets on ground level.

The kitchens and storage areas in the brick dwelling are replete with large kettle stoves, unique ovens, built in cabinetry, simple, but functional furniture and innovative storage systems. Running water was made possible by a unique on-site water system that supplied all the buildings.

Should there be a presentation of Shaker music, do feel free to join in! We spent one-half hour exploring all three floors of the brick dwelling that were open to the general public, and returned for presentations on cooking and singing.

The round, stone dairy barn was erected on the site in 1826 and remodeled in the late 1800's to accommodate a dairy herd. Once again, the time saving features that are built into this structure were far ahead of their time. For an acoustical remembrance of Hancock Shaker Village, walk to the center of the main level in the barn and call your name up toward the cupola.

We lunched in the restaurant at the Visitor's Center and toured the gift shop. While there ask about the various programs offered through the Center for Shaker Studies. Perhaps you might want to plan your visit around one of their seminars or Ahands-on@ courses.

Other Pittsfield and area attractions include Santarella Museum & Gardens, the home of Sir Henry Hudson Kitson; the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Herman Melville's AArrowhead@, a 47 acre estate, from which a view of Mt.Greylock inspired the description of the whale in "Moby Dick."