Photo of Norman Rockwell’s Stockbridge Studio, on the grounds of Norman Rockwell Museum, 2013. Photo ©Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.

Stockbridge, MA, June 26, 2013— Norman Rockwell Museum was recently awarded a grant of $172,270 by the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund to make vital repairs and enhancements to the Museum’s buildings and grounds. Last week, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick formally announced grants totaling $5.2 million to support capital projects for cultural organizations across the Commonwealth.

“This competitive award will help Norman Rockwell Museum undertake major capital projects over the next two years towards safeguarding its art collections, replacing aging infrastructure, and enhancing visitors’ experience,” notes Museum Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt. “The grant must be matched dollar for dollar.”

Norman Rockwell Museum holds the world’s largest collection of original art related to Norman Rockwell as well as a growing art collection representing other American illustrators. More than 120,000 people visit the campus each year, while the Museum reaches another 500,000 people across the continent through an ambitious traveling exhibition program.

The Museum’s campus is now 20 years old, having moved from The Old Corner House in downtown Stockbridge in 1993. In recent years, buildings and grounds have begun to show real wear and tear, as structures, roads, and pathways continue to deteriorate, and as mechanical systems reach the end of their natural life.  There is no viable endowment to support capital projects.

In 2009, a state grant provided vital funds to help replace a failed chiller, which would have severely adversely impacted operations had it not been replaced. State funds also enabled the Museum to build modern storage for its art collections, shore up deteriorating roofs, install a new fire suppression system, and much more. Other necessary capital projects have been triaged according to a comprehensive master plan and availability of funds.

The current state grant supports major improvements to the historic Norman Rockwell Studio – a nineteenth-century carriage barn that Rockwell had converted into a studio, and which was subsequently relocated from his home to the new Museum campus. Studio projects include building an ADA-compliant pathway and entrance to provide universal access; replacing rotted doors, trim, and casing; and re-sheathing the entire Studio with new wood siding that replicates the original, in keeping with the historic importance of the building. The grant also will support installation of improved security in the Museum, HVAC upgrades, and repairs to driveways and walkways.

Norman Rockwell Museum is actively seeking contributions from the community to match the state grant. Several donors have offered their support and the Town of Stockbridge has approved a Community Preservation grant of $10,000 towards Studio repairs.