Over the course of time, an unrelenting effort was extended through e-mails, letters and telephone calls to promote awareness and    solicit support for the preservation movement. It was that determination which drew the attention and assistance of notable people such as Michael Wadleigh, and Wavy Gravy, who provided letters to the National Trust, and Lisa Law, who granted permission for the use of her photo's in the preservation efforts.                                                                                                                                               

However, there were key turning points in the way the WPA was perceived. The first was our filing of the application to the National Trust's 11 Most Endangered Places, and announced intentions to seek listing the Woodstock Site to the National Register. That validated our resolve, and with a subsequent article that printed in the Sullivan County Democrat "Preservationists Seek Historic Status" (Dan Hust 16 Feb 2003), an avenue of opportunity was broadened. It had now become apparent that we had evolved into historical preservation activists, and we were able to employ that news article to substantiate our mission.

In conjunction, it provided a better perspective of our efforts, and our goals. It demonstrated the dedication and commitment of the preservationists in this mission, and it opened doors through which we were able to propagate the issues to a much more receptive audience, including an audience "of name." We pursued magazines such as Rolling Stone and Creem, contacted television/news/radio personalities, and corresponded with Woodstock 1969 alumni including Michael Lang, John Morris and John Roberts. Now aware of the plans for developing the Woodstock Site, renown personalities to include Bill Hanley and Chip Monck were sympathetic to our cause and their letters of opinion are included in the records of public comment. Artie Kornfeld became an advocate for the historical preservation movement. Mr. Kornfeld's involvement, not only included attempts at contacting Alan Gerry, but also issuing a personal statement to the Town of Bethel promoting the importance and viability of an unaltered Woodstock Site.

A second event which changed the course was the highly publicized Public Hearing that was held on 3/11/04, regarding the Special Uses Permit. The Woodstock Preservationists, prior to that meeting, informed the Planning Board, and issued a press release stating our intentions to deliver statements to the Town, which included an audio from Artie Kornfeld. Unaware and uninformed of procedure, when called upon to speak that night, it was learned that our time was limited, and that the audio of Artie would not be heard. This brought about an outcry. We felt that our concerns were not being addressed and that the residents of Bethel were not given the opportunity to hear all sides. This... brought about an attention from all news media interested in what had transpired. Ultimately, the events that had taken place that night, worked to our advantage. The publicity brought about an even greater audience, including Bethel residents, and increased the public's awareness of our struggles to preserve history.

7 Days and We Could Change the World - October 2002

Attention NY State Residents - January 2003

The "Life and Times" of the WPA

West Shore Road