Chesterwood — Attraction in Stockbridge

Chesterwood was the summer home of Daniel Chester French. French was a renowned sculptor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His most famous work is the sculpture of Abraham Lincoln seated at the Lincoln Memorial. Other famous French works include the Minute Man and John Harvard sculptures. The self guided tour of Chesterwood includes the gardens and the artist's studio. After checking in at the gift shop there is a short introductory movie that is shown about the life of Daniel Chester French. After seeing the movie there is a small museum that depicts many of the sculptures that French made. There are an array of models and paintings to be seen here. At the studio there is a docent who can answer any questions you may have. They also have a nice book of the different works that French completed. The studio has many different sculptures and models that French worked on and completed. French's equipment and tools can be seen in the studio as well. There are some very nice walking trails in the woods surrounding the home. These trails include contemporary sculptures that are interesting. It is best to wear sneakers or hiking boots for some of these trails, as the walk in some areas is somewhat steep. There is a house tour that can also be booked online. The house tour lasts about an hour and you see where French lived and learn a little more about him. Be sure to get tickets online for any tour that you're considering. The estate is both interesting and beautiful. Chesterwood is not all that far way from the Norman Rockwell Museum and together these two places are a great combination. Stop by Chesterwood to learn about and see the works of America's...

We bought our senior tour tickets online. The tour was utterly incredible. Our docent was himself a painter and brought a personal perspective to his comments about Daniel Chester French's work. The museum and visuals were historically informative. The tools were on display, and the visuals showed how sculptors work. Letters of commission were there, as well. The studio out back has been turned into an artists display. The large house/ workshop out back shows the incredible scale in which Daniel Chester French worked. The large doors and railroad tracks used to transport both marble and statues were silent testament to his era and the history of the place. The flower gardens were picturesque and well tended. There was also a woodland path for walking and reflecting on the history. The statues both on the lawn and in the studio were magnificent. There is a gift shop where one can buy replicas of statues. There are canvas stools available for those who would enjoy sitting during a presentation. The hills framed everything in a...

Chesterwood is located on one of the most beautiful properties in the Berkshires. I'm a photographer who lives just down the road and I'm fortunate enough to be able to photograph several weddings and other events there every year. Wedding ceremonies are held right behind Daniel Chester French's studio, at the end of the most gorgeous row of hydrangeas. Cocktails are usually in the courtyard behind the studio or next to the main house with the most extraordinary views of the Berkshire Hills. If you are a guest for a wedding, I definitely recommend showing up a little bit early so you can take a hike and look at all of the sculptures in the forest and to...