The year of 1969 is a date that sticks in our minds, when the original Woodstock festival descended on the grounds of Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel for three days of rain, music, and love.

While many people still might think the festival happened in Woodstock, NY, awareness is spreading thanks to the contributions of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the organization that sits on the site.

This July marks Bethel Woods’ 20th anniversary.

Of course, those of us in Sullivan County are familiar with Bethel Woods, maybe in different ways—from those who love country music concerts to 1960’s trivia buffs.

But these past 20 years of Bethel Woods have shaped the county in a way that many other places cannot, bringing economic development, an appreciation for the Woodstock festival, and a thriving arts scene for everyone to enjoy.

Today, July 24, they are commemorating those 20 years with a free celebration from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bethel Woods site, with food and craft vendors, music, and free admission to the museum.

If you haven’t been before—now is the time to go.

The museum is filled with interesting exhibits that are immersive and truly engaging for all who want to know more about the famous festival and the time period when so much change was going on.

Since opening in 2006, Bethel Woods has welcomed nearly five million visitors from around the world. How did it all begin?

It started when born-and-raised Liberty resident Alan Gerry – with the help of his two daughters, Annelise and Robin – had a vision. They were passionate about improving the quality of life in their beloved hometown and had plans for creating an arts center.

In the 1990’s he acquired the land where the original Woodstock festival took place and got to work bringing a performing arts center to life with the help of his daughters and an army of helpers.

In 2006, the New York Philharmonic performed the first concert ever on the new Bethel Woods site on Saturday, July 1. Two years later, the museum opened its doors, telling the story of the ’60s and the making of the music of the festival and its lasting legacy.

In 2012, Bethel Woods became a non-profit, and today continues to bring access to the arts for our local residents through teaching programs, workshops and other events. The legacy lives on.