The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts announced that it has nearly doubled its collection after acquiring the art and archives from the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut. The major gift includes more than 5,000 un-catalogued works, several original works created by Norman Rockwell, and an archive of hundreds of thousands of items.

Speaking on behalf of the Museum’s board of trustees, Board Chairman Anne H. Morgan said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous artists and collectors who have become the patrons of our remarkable collection, built entirely through their donations of American illustration. We are proud to be sharing these works locally, through traveling exhibitions, and online with an international audience eager to absorb the work of Rockwell and many other illustrators who portrayed American culture."

The Rockwell Museum, which was established in 1969, holds the world’s largest collection of original Norman Rockwell art. Recently, the prices of Rockwell works at auction have skyrocketed, making it difficult for the museum to add to its collection by purchase.