1Berkshire is happy to announce that the Norman Rockwell Museum has been selected as the 2025 Putting the Berkshires on the Map honoree. Annually, 1Berkshire presents this award to a project, initiative or organization that has left an indelible mark on the region and contributed substantially to the advancement of the public perception and overall image of the Berkshires. This recognition will be presented at the 12th annual Celebrate the Berkshires event on September 18th. 1Berkshire invites the entire Berkshire community to join us as we honor the Norman Rockwell Museum for its extraordinary contributions to the Berkshire economy and the Museum’s role in shaping the region into a nationally celebrated cultural hub.
“Over the past four decades, the Norman Rockwell Museum has grown from a small hometown museum into a nationally recognized center for American illustration,” stated Jonathan Butler, CEO and President of 1Berkshire. “This transformation was a collaborative effort led with clarity and purpose by the Museum’s Director/CEO, Laurie Norton Moffatt, and made possible by the trust, investment, and tireless support of board members, staff, volunteers, patrons, the Rockwell family, and the Berkshire community. 1Berkshire is proud to announce them as our Putting the Berkshires on the Map honoree.”
From its home in Stockbridge, the Museum has welcomed more than 6.7 million visitors and brought travelers from across the globe to experience the Berkshires. Through nearly 250 exhibitions—circulating to 47 states and 7 countries—as well as cultural diplomacy partnerships with the U.S. State Department in Ethiopia, Russia, and Mongolia, and collaborations with institutions including the White House and the United Nations, the Museum has expanded its reach far beyond the region. And yet, it has remained firmly rooted in the Berkshires, enriching the local economy and reinforcing the county’s reputation as a world-class arts destination.
Together with staff, Board, and national partners, Laurie helped to shift the cultural narrative around illustration—from overlooked to essential. Initiatives like the establishment of the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies and the Museum’s robust traveling exhibition program have sparked new scholarship and public engagement, cementing NRM as a national leader in the field.
“On behalf of all of us at the Norman Rockwell Museum, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to 1Berkshire for this meaningful recognition,” stated Laurie. “For over 50 years, and especially throughout the past four decades, the Museum has grown hand-in-hand with our Berkshire community. It has been an honor to help shape a cultural institution that not only preserves the legacy of Norman Rockwell, but also uplifts the power of illustration to reflect, challenge, and inspire. As one of the cornerstones of the region’s vibrant creative economy, the Museum has helped position the Berkshires as a nationally recognized destination for arts and culture. This award is a celebration of our shared commitment to creativity, storytelling, and place—and a testament to what can happen when vision meets community.”
Be sure to join us at Celebrate the Berkshires as we honor the Norman Rockwell Museum’s lasting impact on our region. The evening will also feature the announcement of the 2025 Berkshire Trendsetter Award winners, recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations shaping the future of the Berkshires.
Tickets available at https://1berkshire.com/events/celebrate-the-berkshires
See the 2025 Finalists for the Trendsetter Awards and previous recipient of the Putting the Berkshires on the Map Award at https://1berkshire.com/events/celebrate-the-berkshires/trendsetter-awards
About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide marketing and economic development organization that works to simultaneously preserve, position, and promote Berkshire County’s profound sense of place. Its mission is to advance Berkshire County’s economy by advocating for the business community and attracting visitors. Powered by membership, 1Berkshire provides programs that connect businesses with resources and potential customers, as well as develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.