Massachusetts offers visitors everything from historic landmarks to stunning beaches, as well as world-class symphony orchestra performances and idyllic beaches for tanning. No matter your interests or age, Massachusetts has something special in store.
Pennsylvania is also an ideal setting for literary enthusiasts, offering scenic landscapes that inspire writers, story-inspired sculpture parks, and bookstores offering classic and new volumes alike.
1. Norman Rockwell Museum
At Stockbridge Museum you'll find one of the world's largest collections of Norman Rockwell paintings, drawings, and illustrations on display. Additionally, Rockwell's original studio has been relocated here from his residence. Guided tours are also offered.
Rockwell was an artist renowned for capturing American life with humor, warmth, and insight. The museum's impressive collection of his work stands as testament to this skill - its impressive selection includes some of his iconic paintings like Triple Self-Portrait showing him painting himself while two other self-portraits watch; also notable are The Four Freedoms series paintings inspired by President Franklin D Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech that featured freedoms such as Speech, Worship, Want Freedoms Fear Freedoms which served to promote war efforts and ensure victory!
The museum holds a vast collection of Rockwell's portraits of notable Americans, as well as his self-portrait in his studio. Rockwell frequently employed family and friends as models for his artwork; some of his best-known paintings (Casey at Bat, New Kids in the Neighborhood, etc) even feature himself modeling for some parts.
The Norman Rockwell Museum showcases illustration's history and its influence on society and social good, providing visitors with an educational and inspirational experience. No matter their interests - be they art-oriented or simply curious to know more about Massachusetts - The Norman Rockwell Museum should be at the top of everyone's must-visit attractions list!
2. Bridge of Flowers
The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts stands out as a true Massachusetts gem. Covered in 500 varieties of blooming flowers that bloom continuously from April through October, visitors are sure to be dazzled when crossing over this 400-foot bridge in Massachusetts.
This bridge sits atop an old trolley bridge connecting Shelburne Falls and Buckland built in 1908. At first, it was used for rail freight but became outdated due to only being capable of supporting 20 tons. So in 1929, the Shelburne Falls Area Women's Club decided to convert it into a flower garden, with subsequent maintenance provided by local community members.
While visiting the Bridge of Flowers, take time to visit Shelburne Falls Village as well. It is a picturesque setting that appears almost frozen in time with cafes, shops, and yoga studios lining its streets - not forgetting its small museum that showcases railroad memorabilia! Be sure not to miss a look at its glacial potholes - their most notable feature.
Marvel fans will be delighted to learn that Shelburne Falls was featured as one of the filming locations for "Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever." A new trailer just dropped and you can see clearly one scene that was shot at the Bridge of Flowers.
3. Danvers State Hospital
Built and opened in 1878, Danvers State Hospital stands on the same property where John Hathorne, one of the judges who presided over the Salem Witch Trials, lived. Following the Kirkbride Plan design for mental hospitals, this one provided more independent living conditions than previous state hospitals did; however, abuses quickly surfaced at this psychiatric institution, with reports emerging of inhumane practices including electric shock therapy and lobotomies taking place there.
Though its founders had the best intentions, the hospital quickly became overcrowded with an overwhelming amount of patients. Its complex included housing buildings organized according to gender and an administrative building with towering space-age-style columns; administrators asked state authorities for money so as to build more rooms but were never granted it.
Over the years, Danvers Hospital became notorious for the brutal practices it engaged in - from lobotomies and shock therapy to reports of patients being forced to consume their own feces. Many patients who were committed there are buried at two nearby cemeteries - hundreds have only numbers instead of names as the doctors at Danvers allegedly did not honor their patients in death either.
Danvers State Hospital closed in 1992, quickly becoming an attraction for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters. Following its sale to real estate developers who turned it into an apartment complex called Avalon Danvers despite protests from historic preservationists; most original buildings on the site were demolished while four new ones burned during the construction of Avalon Danvers.
4. Edgar Allan Poe Square
Edgar Allan Poe Square in Boston is home to a statue and commemorative plaque honoring this well-known author who was born there in 1809. You'll only be able to connect with him here! This unique attraction provides one way to connect with this infamous macabre writer's legacy.
Although Boston did not honor Edgar Allan Poe during his lifetime, in 2009 it quickly honored him. An area at the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South has been named Edgar Allan Poe Square with a bronze figure depicting him featuring ravens bursting out of his briefcase and an open book topped by a heart - references his popular story The Tell-Tale Heart - at its center.
Edgar Allan Poe Square is only part of his legacy; there is also a memorial plaque at his birthplace on Carver Street where his original house once stood; it is widely recognized as being where Poe began writing short stories and poems. Additionally, you can visit Nathaniel Hawthorne's home on Salem Harbor as well as the Mapparium at Mary Baker Eddy Library to see more archival sites that you may want to see.
Though Poe didn't enjoy his hometown of Baltimore much, there are several interesting sights worth seeing there that are worth seeing. Mount Auburn Cemetery stands in stark contrast to Edgar Allan Poe Square and should be explored. Noteworthy are its beautiful headstones and mournful atmosphere - an ideal way to reflect upon his life while remembering some of his works buried after his death.
5. Ponyhenge
Massachusetts is a unique state with an impressive history. From historic attractions, natural sites, coastal locations, art-related offerings, and cultural milestones such as textile mills to its impressive museums (such as Ponyhenge), Massachusetts has something special for visitors of any kind to experience. It's no secret why Massachusetts remains such an appealing state!
Attraction in Lincoln features a collection of roughly 30 rocking horses arranged in the shape of a circle, similar to England's ancient Stonehenge. No one knows who initiated this collection but people have gradually added horse toys from all over. Rearranged periodically and sometimes themed after current events; these miniature horses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes from modern ones to antique ones that might qualify as antiques.
Ponyhenge, Massachusetts' quirky and unusual attraction, should definitely be on your travel bucket list if you find yourself there. Its herd of abandoned rocking horses cannot fail to charm, and its ever-expanding presence adds further intrigue - leaving visitors scratching their heads wondering about its history! Additionally, The Mapparium at Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston should also not be missed; its scale model globe exhibit is sure to open your mind up on world affairs!
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