STOCKBRIDGE -- It was a select group. They came from across the nation to connect with others who share a uniqe past: they had all posed for Norman. As they gathered in clusters at the outdoor lunch provided by the Norman Rockwell Museum, autographing each other's prints and swapping stories, there was a feeling in the air of a high school reunion. The only difference was that reporters had come from as far as China to cover this reunion. The People's Daily - the largest newspaper in China, was here to cover the Rockwell touring exhibit "Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People" and the activities and festivities surrounding it.
"We wanted to have a special celebration for these paintings coming back to Stockbridge. Models were a special part of his life... In his autobiography, he talks about some of the sacrifices he asked them to make," said co-curator Mary Hart Hennessey.
A panel discussion included models from the three geographic locations where Rockwell painted - New Rochell, N.Y.; Arlington, Vt.; and Stockbridge. Said to be "his favorite child model," Mary Wheland Leonard, formerly of Arlington, now living in Arizona, characterized her time as a model as,"years of cherished treasures." Though only nine when she met Rockwell at a high school basketball game when he overheard her whining for a Coke and handed her one, she said that, "His laugh was wonderful... I always felt respected and affirmed...He allowed the models to be part of the creation."
Leonard posed for two of Rockwell's most beloved paintings -"Girl at Mirror" and "The Girl with The Black Eye," and had hilarious stories of the model's-eye perspective of each. While trying to get her into "character," at "Girl in the MIrror," in which a young girl sits in front of a mirror wondering wisfully if she will ever look like the movie star in the magazine on her lap, Leonard said Rockwell encouraged her to consider the times she had wondered about growing up to be a beautiful woman. Not this early feminist. "I didn't know what he was talking about, and I didn't understand the painting. He just told me to look enigmatic. I didn't know what that meant, either." There was also a doll in the painting, thrust aside for the new phase in the young girls's life. "I never played with dolls," she deadpanned.
Whelan then described being called down to the principal's office for the photo-shoot of "The Girl With the Black Eye," and racking her brains for what she had done wrong, because she hadn't been told beforehand of his coming. She said Rockwell got down on the floor and hollered and rolled around until he got the big grin he was looking for on the girl with the shiner who was waiting ouside the principal's office. The black eye had to be painted later, she said, when makeup and charcoal failed, from someone who's child had a real black eye. Rockwell placed an ad to get one! Rockwell often worked from elaborately staged photographs.
As news of the whiplash effect of the real Joe's diner in Lee was reported last week - the second set of Joe's buyers unable to sustain the business that seems to built around Joe's personality more than the food - it was fun to see the painting that epitomized the congeniality of the local diner -"Runaway." The painting depicts a Massachusetts State Police Officer sitting on one counter stool conversing with a young boy with a stick and a bandana on the next. The proprietor leans over the counter deep in discussion with them. (There was controversy two years ago when US magazine tried to recreate the cover and (horrors!) used a local policeman instead of a state trooper. Letters were sent and the situation was corrected.) The original model, Dick Clemens, at the time a real Mass. State Trooper and then resident of Stockbridge, said it took just as much discussion for him to be allowed to do it in the first place. And it was originally painted using Howard Johnson's (once located on the site of Dakota Restaurant) as the interior. According to Clemens, Rockwel thought about it, and wanted it to seem like the boy had gotten further "out of town" and created the diner background from a series of indoor photos of local diners.
"It's nice to know that Rockwell is getting the attention that he so richly deserves," Clemens remarked of the perfectionistic Rockwell. His police cruiser, which was parked outside during his sitting, is reflected in the mirror-like reflection of the counter stools. Clemens lived two houses down from the Rockwells in Stockbridge. The boy in depicted in "Runaway," Eddie Locke, was also at the reunion.
Rockwell's legacy contains a lot of advertisements, many of which were displayed in a show at the museum last year. Another model from the Stockbridge era, now of Lenox, was working at the Austin Riggs Center when Rockwell's photographer asked he if she was old enough to have a ten-year-old daughter. She was a bit taken-aback. He told her that Rockwell needed a model. Because of her friendly personality, she humored him, and let him take her pricture, but secretly thought he was some kind of a nut. Until she got a phone call from Rockwell, asking her to pose. Richard Benoit was working at GE when he posed for "You've Got To Be Kidding," which depicted a long-haired, guitar-playing youth being scrtinized by construction workers. Benoit was asked if he fit the character in the painting. "It was good acting. I'm a defense contractor," he grinned. "Everybody had long hair then." A cousin in his family had already been tapped for the humorous family tree called, "The Tree of Life."
Rockwell made a number of calendars for the Boy Scouts and James A. Edgerton, Sr., from Arlington, posed in 1945,46,48 and 66. He lived next door to Rockwell. "I was cheap and willing," he remarked humourously of the sittings, for which he was paid $5.
Richard Gregory, now of Pennsylvania, once of New Rochelle, described his first encounter with Rockwell as a result of helping his brother out on a rainy day by delivering the Saturday Evening Post. "You couldn't just throw it on the lawn because it was raining," he said, so he had to go to the door. Rockwell appeared, and had just received the commission to create the cover for a special edition of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." He was blonde, blue-eyed and twelve years old. He got the job.
Belita O'Hara and her husband, of Pittsfield were tapped for the "Spirit of America" painting. Belita's Asia heritage earned her the honors, which is a multi-cultural portrait.
Over 70 models attended the reunion, which was the first since the museum moved to its present location in 1993.
See more pictures here
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
