Norman Rockwell Museum Guide Receives Hospitality Award

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Claire Williams, former Norman Rockwell model and current Norman Rockwell Museum guide, was awarded the Governor's prestigious Hospitality Award from the Massachusetts State Office of Travel and Tourism, at a special awards dinner held in Springfield on March 29. Williams received the award from the Berkshire Hills Visitors Bureau in recognition of her long time service at Norman Rockwell Museum.

Norman Rockwell Museum Director Laurie Norton Moffatt said, "Claire truly exemplifies the spirit of Norman Rockwell with her kindness, hospitality, and grace. A Rockwell model herself, she has made an indelible impression on hundreds of visitors to the Norman Rockwell Museum, as evidenced by the many wonderful letters we receive regularly about her."

A lifelong Stockbridge resident, Williams previously became acquainted with Norman Rockwell when she was a model for a community art class during the 1950s. She went on to pose for Rockwell personally, including for illustrations for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance advertisements.

Williams's late husband Bob Williams also posed for Norman Rockwell, and they were friends until the artist's death in 1978. Claire Williams has worked as a guide at the Norman Rockwell Museum since 1984.

The Massachusetts State Office of Travel and Tourismıs Hospitality Award is awarded to a representative from each of the 13 regional tourism councils.

The award is given to an individual who exemplifies the true "spirit" of Massachusetts hospitality by providing outstanding service to visitors and the tourism industry.

Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily. General public admission is $12.50 for adults, $7 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (four per adult). Kids Free Every Day is a gift to families from Country Curtains and the Red Lion Inn. On Wednesdays from November to May, senior citizens are admitted at half-price. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery tours are available daily, beginning on the hour. Antenna Audio Tour of select paintings from the Museum's permanent Norman Rockwell collection is available. Rockwell's studio, located on the Museum grounds, is open May through October.