The field where the 1969 Woodstock music festival took place has been recognized as an official historic site. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday, that Bethel Woods Center for the Arts located in the Hudson Valley, New York, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cuomo said in a statement that the festival drew over 400,000 people to Max Yasgur’s dairy farm. Considering it a “Pivotal moment in both New York and American history.” The intentions of recognizing the iconic campus are to preserve the landmark for future generations.
Located 90 miles north of New York City, the 323-hectare field held the Woodstock Music & Art Fair from August 15th to 17th in 1969. During that weekend, nearly half-million attendees got the chance to see a legendary line-up of 32 acts. These included Santana, Joan Baez, Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. And Jimi Hendrix with a memorable set with the band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows.
Preserving the meaningful memories
Darlene Fedun, Bethel Woods Center CEO, said that the recognition helps advance educational and cultural initiatives. Especially at the museum and surrounding grounds that preserve the “spirit of the Sixties.”
The center opened in 2006 in order to preserve the festival’s location. But it’s currently working in several projects to enhance the site’s history. Including the preservation of trees which date from the times of the event, the restoration of footpaths used by festival-goers and the creation of a contemplative overlook.
“We take our role as stewards of the land very seriously, and have done so since the beginning,” said Fedun, adding,”We understand how important the festival was to American history and Sullivan County, and we use that as inspiration for all that we do.”
The iconic festival was documented in Michael Wadleigh’s 1970 Academy Award-winner documentary, Woodstock. In 1996, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film. In 1996, Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
The festival billed as “An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music,” is remembered as one of the most iconic events for the countercultural generation. The sixties were filled with sex, drugs and rock & roll, and Woodstock was all that at its highest point.