The National Museum of American Illustration

Newport, Rhode Island

The National Museum of American Illustration in Newport, Rhode Island is a definite must-see museum for any Norman Rockwell art enthusiast.

Although not technically a Norman Rockwell museum, the National Museum of American Illustration boasts the second largest collection of Norman Rockwell original paintings. This is in addition to the largest Maxfield Parrish and J.C.Leyendecker collections and more original artwork by many other artists/illustrators of the same period.

All in all, the museum houses the largest collection of original illustration art in the world.

In addition to the collection itself, the mansion that houses the collection is magnificent. The mansion, Vernon Court, was designed and built in 1898 and has been rated one of the ten most beautiful residences in America. The mansion by itself is worth a visit.

The museum was founded in 1998 by Judy Goffman Cutler and Laurence S. Cutler. The Cutlers meticulously restored and modernized the mansion to serve as the perfect backdrop for Judy's expansive art collection.

Great Norman Rockwell Paintings Portfolio

Some of the original Norman Rockwell paintings you might see at the National Museum of American Illustration include:

• A Drum for Tommy
• If Mother Could Only See Me Now
• A Pilgrim's Progress
• Thanksgiving - Ye Glutton
• Mending the Flag
• Barefoot Boy Playing Flute
• Children Dancing at a Party
• The Party Favor,
• Boy Holding Screaming Baby
• Christmas: Santa with Elves
• Parade
• Boy Photographing Self-Portrait
• Little Boy Holding Chalk Board
• Uncle Sam Flying
• Merrie Christmas: Couple Dancing Under Mistletoe
• Man Reading Book of Chivalry
• Magician with Two Children
• Gary Cooper as the Texan
• Men Racing to Fire
• Woman at Vanity
• Vacation: Boy Riding Goose
• Springtime: Boy with Rabbit
• Couple in Rumbleseat
• Full Treatment
• Santa on Train
• Fireman
• Disabled Veteran
• Homecoming Marine
• Tired Salesgirl on Christmas Eve
• The Referee
• Window Washer
• The Connoisseur
• Man with Fishing Rod and Bottle of Ale
• Grandpa and Me: Ice Skating
• Father and Boy: Rocket Ship
• Father and Boy: Fishing
• Father and Boy: Hunting
• Time to Retire: Sleeping Sheriff
• Father's Day
• Merry Christmas, Grandma...We Came in Our New Plymouth
• The Pharmacist

As you can see from this list, the museum's Rockwell collection encompasses a wide variety of source material from The Saturday Evening Post, The Literary Digest and The Country Gentleman to advertisement paintings.

Open All Year Long

The National Museum of American Illustration is open year-round for tours by advance reservation, subject to availability. During the off-season, tours are only available on Fridays at 2:00pm.

Admission without a reservation is available on Fridays from 11:00am to 4:00pm, with the museum closing at 5:00pm.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your reservations. The museum recommends that you allow 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours to enjoy viewing the exhibits. Parking is available on site.

The admission fee is $18 for adults, $16 for military and seniors, $12 for students, $8 for children, $10 for groups (10 or more visitors).

The following are not permitted inside the museum: children 5 years or younger, photography, cellular phones, backpacks, large bags, food, drink, gum, and smoking.

Visit the website for complete driving directions.

Call, fax or email for reservations.

The National Museum of American Illustration
Vernon Court
492 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
Phone (401) 851-8949
Fax (401) 851-8974

I highly recommend a visit to the museum's website:The National Museum of American Illustration. (Opens new window)

I also highly recommend a visit to the museum itself. I plan on visiting this venerable Norman Rockwell art mecca myself during the summer of 2010. I look forward to seeing you there.