The 1969 Woodstock festival was the most famous music event in the world. Close to 500,000 people converged on a small dairy farm in upstate New York from August 15-18, 1969 to attend the festival that defined the hippy movement and music scene of the ’60s and ’70s.
What most people don’t know is that the festival actually didn’t take place in Woodstock, it took place on Max Yasgur’s Dairy Farm in Bethel, NY, 40 miles southwest of Woodstock. Today, a monument stands in the field commemorating where those 450,000 people crowded around to hear some of the greatest performers of the 20th century.
In addition to the monument, the Museum at Bethel Woods tells the story of the famous Woodstock festival and how this 3-day monumental event was almost canceled due to many technicalities. There are hands-on art workshops for all ages and it is a must-see if you are driving past the monument! The museum re-opened on June 13th and is close to New York City and Pennsylvania.
