It was the summer of 69. The dates
were the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th of August, and the headlines
read They've Never Seen Nothin' Like This and Traffic Uptight at
Hippiefest. The focus was on the small town of Bethel, New York,
the farm of Max Yasgur, and a festival promoted as 3 Days of
Peace & Music. What was originally developed as a venture to
raise funds for a recording studio in Woodstock NY, transpired
into a spectacular historic event of unparallel s ocial
and cultural meanings. History was made that weekend in 1969. It
was a watershed event that defined a generation, and is known
universally, as Woodstock.
Over 400,000 people converged on
Yasgurs Farm that weekend, with traffic tie-ups preventing the
estimated million from ever arriving. Through situation and
circumstance, a crowd comprised mainly of middle class youth,
was able to endure the conditions through the countercultures
practices of caring and sharing of all available resources. The
Woodstock Generation Spirit of activism, equity, community,
ecology, balance and a desire for a better world played out
those days in the garden, and during one of the most tumultuous
times in our history, there existed a moment where peace
prevailed.
Woodstock and Yasgur's Farm have since
remained iconic images for peace and common struggle, and the
site where that historic event took place is regarded as a
monument - a global landmark. The magnificence of the open and
free, pastural setting was forever made part of our cultural
imagery through Michael Wadleighs documentary, and each year,
thousands of visitors from around the world, make the pilgrimage
back to the garden, to stand witness to where at all happened.
The Woodstock Site, in its original,
undeveloped state, is important as it is a tangible reminder of
the cultural, historical, and socially significant event that
occurred there in 1969. Although the event has been analyzed and
debated numerous times, the site has come to symbolize the
social and political climate of the late 1960's - the
divisiveness of the United States over issues such as the Viet
Nam War, civil rights, sexual liberation, freedom of speech, and
personal expression - and for years to follow, those who made
the journey to
 Yasgurs
Farm to reminisce, reflect, imagine, wonder or dream, were
welcomed by the majestic freedom of that open field.
The Woodstock Site has always brought
about an agenda for controversy, now compounded by the sale of
this land, change came very pronounced in 1996. Police blockades
prevented entrance to the site and what was once privileged, was
now restricted. The Woodstock Nation Foundation challenged the
legality of the deed in 1997, and defended the publics easement
and right to continue free assembly on the site. The once known
freedom of the open field was now compromised by fencing,
concrete barriers, visiting hours and security patrols, and
these actions initiated the and historical values of that land.
By 1998, an assembly of people had grown out of concern and
opposition to what was taking place in Bethel. This group, known
as The Friends of Yasgurs Farm, stood on a foundation of beliefs
regarding the perpetuation of the Woodstock spirit. In October
2000, a grass roots organization was brought to life by a few
individuals who saw the need to protect this historic land and
The Woodstock Preservation Alliance was born out of the love and
respect for one of the most extraordinary happenings of the 20th
century. Their mission was to preserve the Woodstock site as an
open field, where all would be welcome for generations to come,
and they paved the way for the efforts that followed. The spring
of 2002 brought with it plans for the construction of the of the
performing arts center, and also an
 evolution
in the preservation efforts. An advanced historical preservation
campaign emerged - informed, pro-active and well-defined. With
the Woodstock Site deemed eligible for the National Register,
and federal funds pledged in support of this project, the
Historical Preservationists launched a most compelling cause for
the historic preservation of the 1969 Woodstock festival site.
The commitment to history, and dedication to the preservation of
a global landmark spanned over two years, and is documented
within this website.
Why should anyone care?
Because peoples values and beliefs are
often represented through the tangible things we possess and
keep - mementos and symbols. We have battlefields to reflect on
the cruelty and aggressiveness of mankind. Our walled memorials,
printed with names, allow us to reflect on sacrifice. The
memorial to 9-11, will allow us to reflect on terror and
horrible injustice. But where is the place to reflect on peace?
Where is the place to reflect on the ideals that unity is better
than divisiveness? Where is the place to celebrate hope? Its in
nature. In a pasture. Something not man-made and with no need
for intervention or modification. It already exists on the
Woodstock Site.
And with the state of the world we
share today, we could all use a moment of Woodstock.
*For more detailed information, please
see our nomination application for the
NTHPs 11 Most Endangered Places for
2003.
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