The postcard-perfect town of Stockbridge boasts a Main St. familiar everywhere because of long-time resident Norman Rockwell’s famous painting. Once populated by Mahicans who came seeking refuge from bellicose tribes in their native lands along the Hudson River, Stockbridge today attracts culture-seeking visitors from around the world.
Its many attractions include the Chesterwood Museum and studio of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of “The Minute Man” and the Lincoln Memorial; the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Berkshire Botanical Gardens and Tanglewood. Stockbridge’s Laurel Hill Association is the nation’s oldest municipal improvement organization.
From the Chair of the Mohican Historical Committee
rec’d February 3, 2002 “Dear Folks, What do you mean, the Mohicans sought refuge from “bellicose tribes” when coming to Stockbridge? What they sought was refuge from debts, landlessness in the Hudson valley and settlers. Furthermore they moved into their own territory near other Mohicans. When the English settlers took over their lands and town government (a foreign concept to the Mohicans), they renamed it Stockbridge, probably after a town in England. There’s a Stockbridge in Michigan and one in Georgia that have nothing to do with the Mohicans.
For more information about the Mohicans read on Lion Miles, Shirley N. Dunn, Polly Pierce, Patrick Frazier, or read the latest issue of the the NIMHAM TIMES, edited by John Sota. It comes out of Putnam County, New York.
I have been to Stockbridge on historical trips at least 20 times. In fact on one of our trips some of our elders were guests of the famous Red Lion Inn. For further information check Mohican Nation on the internet.”
Sincerely, Dorothy W. Davids (baptismal name) Chair, Historical Committee, Mohican Elder
Stockbridge, MA facts:
- Town Hall: 6 Main St.
- Phone: (413) 298-4714
- Population: 2,276
- Settled/Inc’d: 1736
- Named for: Do you know?
- Elevation: 829′
- Demographic data: state.ma.us/
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