03/04OCT09 - Bethel, NY (aka woodstock)

We decided to spend Saturday & Sunday in the area of Bethel, NY, so we could explore the museum dedicated to the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, or as it was simply called “Woodstock”. Why Bethel, NY, and not Woodstock, NY? Because the organizers could not get the necessary permits in Woodstock. So the organizers did not have a venue days before the event. The town of Bethel finally came through; but since all the advertising and tickets had been printed based on the Woodstock location, the name could not be changed. As you probably know it was held on Max Yasgur’s farm. Max was an extremely conservative Republican and really didn’t like the counter culture, and was leaning to not allowing the event on his farm. But one of his neighbors erected a large sign critical of Max & the event; Max immediately took exception to this and signed the necessary permit application.

The museum is about far more than just the festival. It is basically a time capsule of the entire 60s decade. It follows the evolution of the music from 1960 to 69, interwoven with the critical events of the decade. Although the 1940s were probably more noteworthy because of WWII; the 60s were momentous because of the escalating Cold War, Space Race, landing on the moon, three major assassinations in the USA, civil rights, race riots, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, and the growing “counter culture”. All this is brought together in the museum to show why Woodstock occurred, and why it would probably never occur again. Fortunately there was also a country fair and chili contest occurring right down the road, so that Corrie didn’t have spend the entire time in the museum with Dan.

Dan feels the museum itself is worth a visit if you are interested in the music of the 60s, major social & political events of that era, and the actual Woodstock event. But he feels the spirit and idealism of the event have been lost. The first thing we noticed is there are no signs on the surrounding roads indicating the event that occurred here, or giving directions? All you see is small brown signs saying "Bethel Woods". Turns out that after the Fair, the remaining locals were not appreciative of what had just taken place and showed no interest in memorializing the happening. Eventually an organization bought the property and established the “Bethel Woods Center for the Arts”; and the museum is called “The Museum at Bethel Woods”. Clearly these names show an obvious connection to Woodstock?

http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/museum.aspx

In addition, there are rules everywhere to insure you behave yourself! Like, no loud music on the hill where the audience was; no photos; stay on marked paths; etc. Lastly, the items in the gift store have little or nothing to do with Woodstock. There was only one small button that had the Woodstock logo. They seemed more interested in selling items with “their” logo – some peter pan stick figure playing a flute. All the t-shirts ($25 to $80) said things like Bethel 1969, Bethel NY, or Bethel NY 1969. They did not have the original movie or soundtrack, and had more music from 1960s groups who were not at the Fair, then those were there. To Dan this is just a newer version of Wolf Trap, where you pay hundreds for your tickets, sit on your blanket, eating your gourmet picnic lunch, drinking vintage wine, while listening to muzak!

After lunch time we headed to Narrowsburg, NY, to sightsee in the Upper Delaware Upper Scenic & Recreational Area, which also includes the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. This is an unique partnership between Federal Land, State Land, County Land and private land owners to maintain the unspoiled beauty of the Upper Delaware River. One of unique features is the Delaware Aqueduct, the oldest existing wire cable suspension bridge in the nation. Begun in 1847 as one of four suspension aqueducts on the Delaware & Hudson Canal, it was designed by and built under the supervision of John A. Roebling, future engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, and carried canal boats over the Delaware River. The only reason it survives is, because it was used to carry vehicles before its national significance was recognized. It is a very scenic & beautiful area! Unfortunately the Zane Grey Museum was closed due to flood damage.

http://www.nps.gov/upde/index.htm

Trivia – what is the only group that played at the big three outdoor concerts (Monterey Pop, Woodstock & Altamont)?

What’s that spell – @$*? What’s that spell -&$@? What's that spell - #*&%?