download the 2008-2009 annual report - Norman Rockwell Museum

president’s letter continueddirector’s reportacross our nation. Most museums,including Norman Rockwell Museum,depend on the generosity and support ofhundreds of benefactors and memberswhose contributions make our missionand successful programs possible.Visitors and guests marvel at thepristine conditions of our buildingsand grounds, perhaps without fullyrecognizing the expenses and staffinvolved in maintenance. Our leadershipstaff and Trustees expend greatenergy and creativity in seeking out theresources needed to ensure and protectRockwell’s cultural legacy. Competitionfor financial support has never beenmore acute as foundations, individuals,and public agencies contend with direfinancial conditions not experiencedin many decades. Each of us must dowhat we can for Norman RockwellMuseum and other vital communityorganizations that sustain our society.works of Norman Rockwell and theideals they embody are too importantto be preserved only; they must bedisseminated and shared widely.The continued presence on ourcampus and within our membershipranks of people from far and widereminds us that Norman Rockwell isnot a regional or even national artist.His works are admired across theglobe—as evidenced by internationalvisitors to our campus and our Website, a steady stream of inquiries andinterest from around the world, andmedia coverage abroad.The first 40 years are always thehardest. If life begins at 40, we can’twait to be celebrating again in 2019.Thank you to all who made thisanniversary successful.Respectfully,Norman Rockwell Museum’s much feted40th anniversary year in 2009 was filledwith gratitude, abundance, scarcity,excitement, and change. Leaders andfriends from every era of the Museum’s40 years came together to celebrate theMuseum. There is much to be gratefulfor over our 40 years of serving ascaretakers of one of the nation’s mosttreasured art collections.On the eve of our 40th anniversaryyear in November 2008, the NationalHumanities Medal was unexpectedlybestowed on Norman RockwellMuseum, making us the first museumever to receive the nation’s highesthonor in the field of the humanities.The award ceremony at the WhiteHouse was an exhilarating backdropto the launch of our 40th year.A Year of Gratitude andCelebrationThe Museum’s 40th anniversarycelebration was a festive familyreunion. The capstone event in July2009 honored the Museum’s foundersfrom all its eras. Norma Ogden, JaneFitzpatrick, and Lila Berle were feted atthe 40th anniversary party. Joining ourhonorees, founders, and Trustees wereGovernor Deval and First Lady DianePatrick, State Representative William“Smitty” Pignatelli (a Norman Rockwellmodel), Stockbridge Selectmen DebMcMenamy and George Shippey,Rockwell family members, and manycherished friends.In all, five hundred guests gatheredon a splendid summer evening to celebratethe generations of people whohave made this remarkable Museumin the beautiful village of StockbridgeNorman Rockwell’s lasting home. Weshared reminiscences of four excitingdecades and remembered the contributionsof so many: Stockbridge’scitizens; Rockwell’s models; our artists,educators, collectors, art donors,patrons, and past presidents; and ourgovernment leaders. Seven of our 11Board Presidents were on hand to toastthe Museum: Norma Ogden, WilliamSelke, Brian Quinn, Lila Berle, DavidKlausmeyer, Lee Williams, and currentPresident Dan Cain.Four significant chapters of theMuseum’s 40-year history werehonored:• Nonagenarian Norma Ogden andher Old Corner House co-founders,Rosamond Sherwood and Pat DeelyIn spite of the economic challengesNorman Rockwell Museum and itspeers continue to face in protecting ourshared cultural heritage, the Trusteesand staff are confident we will not onlyprevail but will flourish. The iconicDaniel M. CainPresidentSeptember 20094 5