Main Street Historic District (Stockbridge, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Main Street Historic District
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Red Lion Inn
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1-57 Main St., 1-2 Pine St., 2 Sergeant St., Stockbridge, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 162 acres (66 ha) |
| Built | 1735 |
| Architect | Bigelow, Ralph; et al. |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001466 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 2002 |
The Main Street Historic District is a special area in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It includes the beautiful and historic parts of Main Street. This area is famous because the artist Norman Rockwell featured it in his 1967 painting, Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas.
The middle part of Main Street is wide with green lawns. It looks like a classic New England town center, with a church and town buildings. The Mission House is also here. It's a National Historic Landmark and one of Stockbridge's oldest buildings, built in the early 1740s.
Contents
What Makes the District Special?
The Main Street Historic District stretches from a rural area in the west to the town's shopping center in the east. The western edge is where Main Street crosses the Housatonic River. The eastern part has many shops and the famous Red Lion Inn. Even further east is Laurel Hill, a wooded park with great views of the town. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's officially recognized for its important history.
A Look Back in Time
The Stockbridge area has a long history, even before European settlers arrived. Native American people used this land for centuries. They lived here at different times of the year.
Early Native American Life
In the early 1700s, Mahican Indians settled here. They had been forced from the Hudson River area after conflicts with the Mohawks. They created a special burying ground within what is now the historic district.
The "Praying Indian" Community
In 1734, the Province of Massachusetts Bay started a "Praying Indian" community. Its main settlement was where downtown Stockbridge is today. This was a place where Native Americans could live and learn about Christianity.
Changes and New Settlements
Over time, English settlers began to move into the area. This led to disagreements over land use. Eventually, the Native Americans lost control of the community. More colonial settlers arrived after the French and Indian War ended in 1763. The Red Lion Inn opened in 1775. It became a popular place in the early 1800s, as it was a busy crossroads not far from Lenox.
