Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA

 After we have tramped all over Naumkeag, this was anticlamactic.  There were a lot of people here.  We were here on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.  It's a small museum, but they have all of his major works.









 I never figured out who created this sculpture, but I like it.









 In the background is his studio.  It was moved from downtown Stockbridge.








This is an example of more of the architecture in the neighborhood.

Naumkeag, Stockbridge, Mass

 This place was created by the Choate family who developed Choate/Rosemary Hall.  The father was a very successful NY lawyer.  This house is in the Berkshires.  People commuted from NYC.  The train ride took 4 hrs.  They would use the house in the Summer only.  No insulation.








 These gardens are famous to landscape architects.  The architect was Fletcher Steele who worked on this project with Miss Choate for 30 years.















The house was built by McKim Mead & White.  The woodwork was all mahogony and highly carved.  It is an absolute work of art.













These are the very famous blue steps.  Water from a private cistern flows down these blue pools.


















The views are of the Berkshires.

Albany, New York

 All of these buildings are part of the government in Albany.
 What could this be?
 The plaque on this one said it was built by Nelson Rockefeller and dedicated in 1973.
 This is the education building.  As some point, they must've had extra money.

Edith Wharton's house, The Mount, Lenox, Mass

These are the woods of the Berkshires.  To me, they look blue.






This is the entry hall to the house which is famous for its decoration.  Edith Wharton was considered the arbiter of good taste during this period which was before WWI.  After ten years, she divorced her husband and moved to Paris.  She sold the house and lived the rest of her life in France.







The house and gardens are famous in landscape architecture circles.  Finally, I got to Lenox, Mass!






This is her study where she wrote her books during the 10 years she lived here.






This is the linden allee.










She brought this trellis with her from her previous house in Newport.






The house as we approach.

Day Two in Newport RI

 The shipyard services many fabulous boats.












This is the harbor.

Lunch at The Black Pearl.






 The gates to The Breakers.  We toured this mansion and also The Marble House.  Both of these great houses were built by Vanderbilt wives.  It was very interesting that one of these wives was a huge Suffragette whose influence (apparently) contributed to getting women the vote in 1920.









This is the lawn.






No pictures inside.  This is The Breakers.   There was one room that had platinum trim.  It never tarnishes.  Unbelievable!










 This is The Marble House.  I am so glad we toured two of these because they were as different as night and day.  The Breakers was very similar to the Vanderbilt Mansion in Ashville as far as size and decor, but The Marble House was austerely elegant.  This wife (the suffragette) really had great taste.







 Ed outside The Marble House.

Day One in Newport, RI

We walked along the cliff road with the dogs.












I think this is The Breakers.













I believe this is Doris Dukes' house.













Just another mansion.  This is the richest place in the United States.  Perhaps in the world.  Unbelievable.










Ed and the dogs in front of the gate to The Breakers.

Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT

 This is the house from the approach.  Of course, there are no photos inside.
 This was a raised relief thing in the reception area that I liked.
 There is a large visitors center which many rooms for classes to teach people about the beliefs of Mark Twain.
 Obviously, his bust.


A garden on the way to the main house.











Ed in front of the main house.















The porch off the third floor where his billiard room is.  He was a huge smoker and drinker.  He smoked 50 cigars a day.  Even tho his wife inherited $1 M, they ended up broke because they lived so extravagantly.  Also, he has no descendants because his children's children did not survive.
 Harriett Beecher Stowe lived next door in a little cottage and they were great friends.

 Here I am with my cousin, Nancy, in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.  We have vowed to keep up with each other better.