The words of Max Yasgur, on whose farm the Woodstock Festival took place during three steamy August days during the summer of 1969, delighted the hundreds of thousands of young people who had gathered on his meadows to hear the legendary rock and folk music artists of the era. "I'm a farmer. I don't know how to speak to twenty people at one time, let alone a crowd like this..." reveals a different aspect to the festival, and its later reincarnation into the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, that is now explored by the new exhibit being assembled at the Sullivan County Museum. The land on which the stage was erected was cleared by early Scottish immigrants nearly a century and a half earlier. This exhibit will follow this, and subsequent, families whose own stories preceeded that of Yasgur.

After the concert, the site, considered hallowed ground to some and a nemisies by others, became embroiled in a political struggle that for decades would pit neighbor against neighbor, generation against generation, until its preservation came in the present form, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Though this exhibit is still in the process of being created, it is open to the public during the museum's normal operating hours. 

Dear Sir,

I received in my mail today a copy of your August 21^st newspaper and was deeply touched by the letter that stated that the Woodstock Festival was, quote, “an infamous spectacle and an orgy.”

I am at the time serving military duty in Thailand and do know as a fact that the Festival received publicity worldwide. I just heard of it on our base television network, then came an article in the Pacific Stars and Stripes and I was really surprised to see something in a Bangkok newspaper. Nothing actually seemed to disgrace the U.S. or Sullivan County.

The facts were told of many people showing up over the estimated number and the need for food and supplies, but there were no disgracing facts about it.

I am 21 years old and to me this was the greatest thing that happened to Sullivan County, at least since I was born. If I had been in the States I would have made every effort for my wife and I to attend this event.

I, too, would have arrived with my wife and I in bell bottoms and sandals and we probably would have been called “Hippies.” To attend would surely be our “thing.”

As for stating that this so called outrage threatens the basic structure of our society, this gentleman must be speaking for himself. There was no outrage. What was seen was an example of “our” society. We had peace and understanding. What does he have?

Let us put down the white wash brushes and do give some straight answers. If a spectacle is the issue that people want, let’s take a look. It’s not my generation sending dollars into Vietnam and other hotspots; it’s not my generation sending troops there either. Is it my generation calling for all the taxes? Who was it that made headlines because they wouldn’t recognize people because they were a different color.

Somebody had better straighten out their spectacles and then take a look at ours. I don’t think our “peace and understanding” looked so bad after all.

George R Simmons

Sgt. USAF

Republican Watchman, September 11, 2013

Dear Fred,

Just a line to extend congratulations on what I thought was excellent coverage of the festival at Bethel. I liked your piece and editorial and Kathy’s contribution especially. Pat and I and the family were down last week on vacation and made several trips to the festival while it was on and after it was over to talk to some of the people. I just got to the issue of the Democrat last night. Your complete coverage, I think, resulted in a truthful reporting job, something we try to do in the news business but so seldom feel that we succeed in doing. I think open-mindedness and a certain amount of courage is the key to it all.

Congratulations again and best wishes.

Dick Hoffmann

Sullivan County Democrat, August 28, 2013