Motif No. 1 Rockport Harbor

Motif Number 1, located on Bradley Wharf in the harbor town of Rockport, Massachusetts, is a replica of a former fishing shack well known to students of art and art history as “the most often-painted building in America.” The original structure was built in 1840 and destroyed in the Blizzard of 1978,but an exact replica was constructed that same year.

Built in the 1840s as Rockport was becoming home to a colony of artists and settlement of fishermen, the shack became a favorite subject of painters due to the composition and lighting of its location as well as being a symbol of New England maritime life. Painter Lester Hornby (1882–1956) is believed to be the first to call the shack “Motif Number 1,” a reference to its being the favorite subject of the town’s painters, and the name achieved general acceptance.

Rockport is a seaside town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States.

Today Rockport is primarily a suburban residential and tourist town, but it is still home to a number of lobster fishermen and artists. Its rocky beaches and seaside parks are a favorite place for tourists from the Greater Boston Area and Rhode Island among other places.

Where it is:

Rockport is located approximately 40 miles northeast of Boston at the tip of the Cape Ann peninsula. Rockport borders Gloucester to its west, and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in all other directions.

Follow Route 128 North to Rockport/Gloucester. In Gloucester, you will come upon 2 rotaries (also known as roundabouts or traffic circles), continue straight through both rotaries. Follow the signs toward Rockport past the second rotary, to the first traffic light. This is Route 127 North, (Eastern Avenue.) Turn left onto Route 127 and follow for 3.0 miles.

Travel Note About Interstate 95 and Route 128: Routes 128 and 95 are the same highway from southern Massachusetts until Peabody, MA. In Peabody, Route 95 branches off to the right toward New Hampshire and Maine. When traveling north on Interstate 95/Rte. 128, you must stay on Route 128 by keeping to the left at this point (this is exit #45).

VIA Route 95 North: Follow directions to Rockport above.

VIA Route 95 South: From New Hampshire, follow Route 95 South to Exit #54 in Georgetown, MA. This is Route 133 East, go left at top of off-ramp and follow Route 133 East through Rowley, Ipswich, and Essex to Gloucester where there is an on-ramp to Route 128 North. Follow directions to Rockport above.

VIA Route 93 North: From Boston, follow Route 93 North to Exit #37A onto Route 128/95 North. Follow directions to Rockport above.

VIA Route 93 South: From New Hampshire, follow Route 93 South to exit 37A onto Route 128/95 North. Follow directions to Rockport above.

VIA Route 90 East (Mass Turnpike): Follow Route 90 East to Exit #14 onto Route 128/95 North. Follow directions to Rockport above.

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

Parking:

Metered Parking
$1.00 per hour except on Beach Street which is $2.00 per hour.

FREE Parking Facility
Blue Gate Meadow Parking Lot
5 Blue Gate Ln., Rockport, MA
Located as you arrive in Rockport on Route 127. Watch for parking signs when you enter Rockport. The lot entrance is approximately 1 and 1/2 miles from the Gloucester/Rockport line on Route 127 (Upper Main Street) and about 1/4 mile past the Rockport Visitor Information Center. From the parking lot, it is about a 3/4 mile walk or trolley ride to downtown Rockport.

Park N’ Ride Trolley Shuttle
Park FREE at the Blue Gate Meadow Parking Lot and, for a nominal free, enjoy a scenic ride to our village on the CATA Trolley.  The shuttle runs between the parking lot and downtown Rockport costs $1/person each way ($.50 for Seniors 60 years of age and older and Disabled; children under five free). From July 1 through Labor Day the trolley runs approximately every 15 to 20 minutes from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, and from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

GPS:

42°39’33.876″ N 70°36’53.946″ W

Cost:

Location Contact Information:

Motif No. 1 Rockport Harbor Photo Gallery

Click Here for full page gallery

More Photographic Destinations in Massachusetts:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

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