A couple hour drive west of Boston, nearly to the New York state line in Stockbridge, is the Norman Rockwell Museum.  The site was Rockwell’s home for the last 25 years of his life, and was turned into a museum housing over 700 of his paintings, drawings and studies (the largest collection in the world), along with a huge collection of personal artifacts. Rockwell is perhaps best known for his 321 Saturday Evening Post covers, with his first in 1916, “Boy with Baby Carriage.”  His inspiring “Rosie the Riveter” and “Four Freedoms” series remain lasting visual tributes to World War II, and his holiday images take us back to a kinder, gentler era. Although many art critics and historians do not consider Rockwell a “serious” artist, there can be no doubt of his immense public popularity, and he is one […]

One morning I get up and I’m on the west coast, and when I go to bed that night I’m on the east coast.  And I think nothing of it.  So it’s easy to forget that at one time cross the country wasn’t quite so easy! The Theodore Judah Monument in Sacramento (Second & L Streets), celebrates a time when we crossed the country by railroad.  Judah was the engineer responsible for creating the plan that became the Transcontinental Railroad.  So set was he on seeing this plan come to fruition that he became single-minded in his focus on this seemingly impossible project that he became known as “Crazy Judah.” If your in downtown Sacramento, take a minute and look at this monument – before you head off on that transcontinental flight!     Photo credit:  flickr _____________________________________________

Crime may not pay, but visitors will have to if they want entry into The Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Hot Springs is known for it historic downtown area, and now with the addition of the recently opened Gangster Museum, it’s edgy history from the 1920-40’s is also showcased.  After all, back in “the day” Hot Springs was a popular vacation spot for many members of the mob, including Al Capone (in mug shot above) and Lucky Luciano.  It’s said that they came for the waters, the healing powers of the area’s hot mineral baths. Inside the museum are exhibits from the town’s history, including artifacts a slot machine and a roulette wheel from the Southern Club, and dice and poker chips from other local gambling clubs. There’s also a Tommy Gun (a Thompson submachine gun), a 1928 […]

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, is an impressive French gothic cathedral with intricate sculptures, bronze doors, and over 200 stained glass windows.  It’s about the size of London’s Westminster Abbey – only in Newark, New Jersey. Following nearly 95 of planning, building, planning some more, and changing plans, the cathedral was finished in 1954.  The Cathedral was elevated to the status of a Basilica by Pope John Paul II when he visited in 1995. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located at 89 Ridge Street, in Newark, New Jersey.  In addition to the Mass schedule, the cathedral is open to the public Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 1-3 pm.  Concerts and other musical performances are offered throughout the year. Sacred Heart is the […]