Most visitors to the Berkshires, and many of us who live here, recognize that Norman Rockwell’s America is still alive and well.    A recent Berkshire Visitors Bureau poll revealed that the #1 answer to why people come back to the Berkshires for vacation year after year is that "it never changes."   Considering this little corner of the world with 30+ hill towns draws 2.5 million visitors per year, spending $500 million….there seems to be a lot of people seeking nostalgia.

Nowhere is this best illustrated than this weekend, when the Main Street of Stockbridge is taken back in time to Rockwell’s iconic portrait.   For the 21st year, the street will be cleared of modern automobiles and the streetscape will be recreated according to the details of the portrait.    It does not take much…   Ever since the street was immortalized, zoning prohibtions have frozen all buildings and signage for 40+ years.

December 5, and 6, 2010.    For more information, visit the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce site.

And stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast.     Lenox  is the next town up Route 7, about an eight minute drive to Stockbridge.    Lenox, well-known as the summer home of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood (the actual venue straddles the Lenox/Stockbridge line) consists of two square blocks of upscale shops, restaurants and galleries.   Hampton Terrace features 14 rooms, fireplaces, Jacuzzis, full breakfast and a Romantic Weekend Special until late June.