50 YEARS OF WOODSTOCK: Remembering the era of the flower children

The Museum at Bethel Woods Launches 1969 Woodstock Festival Media Archive

BETHEL WOODS PRESS RELEASE

On Wednesday, August 1, The Museum at Bethel Woods, located at the National Register Historic Site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair in Bethel, NY launched an online archive of Woodstock photography and video from its collection; making rare archival images available to the public for the first time on the eve of the festival’s 49th Anniversary.

Part of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a 501c3 nonprofit cultural center located 90 miles from New York City, The Museum immerses visitors of all ages in the story of the societal evolution of the 1960s. Through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and programs guests are connected to the roots of today’s freedom of expression and resurgent human spirit that defined the politics, music, art and societal issues of that remarkable and challenging decade which culminated in the Woodstock festival. The 800-acre campus also includes an outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of 15,000, an indoor performance space, festivals and creative learning programs for all ages.

The archive features iconic photos and video from almost 30 contributors including aerial photography of the massive crowd of 500,000 gathered on Max Yasgur’s farm, the iconic field and festival stage, infamous traffic, and festival attendees who gathered for three days and showed the world the power of peace, love, and music. It serves as a lens to explore the historic festival and is available for license and download for commercial, media, tourism, educational, and personal use providing a never-before available resource for the press, students, historians, documentarians, designers and advertisers in advance of the festival’s 50th Anniversary in 2019. The Museum also invites the public to contribute to its permanent collection and help to preserve this important moment in history by sharing their photos, videos, and artifacts. To learn more or view the collection visit BethelWoodsCenter.org/PhotoArchive.

The public can also support Bethel Woods’ preservation efforts and leave their mark on history by purchasing an Anniversary Paver. Each 4″x8″ commemorative brick is etched with a personal message, stamped with an exclusive 50th anniversary insignia, and incorporated into the classic design of the center’s pathway. Individually, the pavers are a unique way to celebrate a loved one; together, they exemplify the arts’ ability to unify the masses. To learn more visit bethelwoodscenter.org/paver.

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