Woodstock has been called the event that defined an entire generation.
The Woodstock Music and Art Festival, held Aug. 15-18, 1969 in the Sullivan County town of Bethel, was planned as a three-day concert, which got extended into a fourth day.
It featured many of the hottest bands of the era and took place on the farmland of dairy farmer Max Yasgur, a mild-mannered man who became a hero figure to the counter culture, although he shared little in common with that moment.
Organizers started off selling tickets but in time the gates were stormed by attendees and it became a free event, attending by more than 500,000. News of that spread and countless people tried to get in, but were turned away by police. At one point, the New York State Thruway was closed down .
Many think of Woodstock as event that had lots of sex, drugs and rock n' roll, skinny dipping in a nearby pond - and copious amounts of mud. However, for many it was, and continues to be, symbolic in that so many people could get together at one event and keep peace among themselves.
Yazgur's quote to the crowd at the concert: "This is the largest group of people ever assembled in one place and I think that you people have proven something to the world. That a half million people can get together and have three days of fun and music, and have nothing but fun and music. God bless you all."Read more about the event's history.
WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY
Today, the concert site is an integral part of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, an 800-acre campus that includes the original grassy site where the concert was held, an outdoor amphitheater pavilion, a museum and a conservatory for arts and education.
The site today features an outdoor amphitheater/pavilion that can seat up 16,000. It has treated concert goers in recent years to a wide variety of musical genres and performers, ranging from the New York Philharmonic to Bob Dylan and Elton John.
In addition, the complex includes the Museum at Bethel Woods, which is housed in a LEED-certified green building, set back from the top of the Woodstock festival hillside. The museum offers a variety of programs and its main exhibit gallery, "Woodstock and The Sixties" iincludes an ever-growing collection of artifacts and reference materials and programs for children, youth and adults that make "the lessons and ideas of the Sixties relevant and accessible today." There's also the Muse Cafe, a dining facility.
Most recently, a conservatory has been added to the complex for arts and education programing.
As for much the original concert site, it's currently a fenced, grassy field.
The concert took place on a stage set up in a natural bowl on Yasgur's property at the corner of Hurd and West Shore Roads. Near the intersection is the Woodstock monument, which features the names of all the bands that played there. Many who visit the site have their pictures taken with it, overlooking the field.
As you face the monument and the expansive field, the location where the concert stage was situated is down the hill to your left on the same side of the road. The pond where concert-goers skinny dipped is behind you, across the road.
ADDRESS/FURTHER INFORMATION
200 Hurd Road
Bethel, N.Y.
For more: Call 1-866-781-2922 or email [email protected].
HOURS
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: See the center's schedule for upcoming concerts and events.
Museum at Bethel Woods: The museum has various hours, depending on the time of year.It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas. On concert days, it closes at show time.
The Woodstock monument/the grassy field where the concert took place: The Woodstock festival site is open to the public during regular museum hours, except on most concert days, when the site is closed for safety and security reasons. The Woodstock monument (at the corner of Hurd Road and West Shore Road) is always open, weather permitting.
ADMISSION
The Museum at Bethel Woods: General museum admission (includes main exhibit and special exhibit), Adults, $15; Seniors (65 and up), $13; youth (8-17), $11; children (3-7), $6 and children under 3, free.
Visiting the Woodstock monument/the grassy field where the concert took place: Free.
PARKING
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: During concerts, a number of lots and shuttles are put into use. Follow the signs and the parking attendants. Free
The Museum at Bethel Woods: Parking is free and is located across Hurd Road from the museum. Follow the signs to "Museum Parking. On Pavilion concert days, museum visitors will be directed to a special parking area set aside for museum guests. Follow the signs and the parking attendants.
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Visiting the Woodstock monument/the grassy field where the concert took place: You can park in the museum lot or at the pull-off where the monument is located.
DOS AND DON'TS
Every year the Woodstock site is visited by tourists (the locals call them "pilgrims") from around the world. The main thing to remember is this is not 1969. Visitors are not allowed to camp there. Visitors are allowed to walk and even picnic on the grassy field where the concert took place, but open and lengthy partying is not allowed. Remember, the field is only open during museum hours.
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