While it felt a bit strange at first (“Come on darling, let’s put the kids in the car and go enjoy a museum dedicated to sex, drugs and rock and roll”), the experience was was incredibly rewarding.

Cynics might dismiss Woodstock as either an example of the indulgences of the 1960’s, or perhaps a commercially-exaggerated legacy of a music festival. It was neither, and the Museum is an eye-opening lesson for younger generations and a great reminder for older ones.

I was only 12 years old when Woodstock took place in 1969. My interests that summer was the moon landing and the New York Mets. When I went back to school in September, I began hearing stories about this festival and I was reaching an age where music and culture were expanding my view of the world. By the time the film was released, I was fully aware of the positive experience that was the overwhelming story of Woodstock. I was a younger member of the Woodstock Generation.

In the years since the festival, the land once owned by Max Yasgur has taken on a near-mythical standing in the minds of those who were part, or wished to be part, of that special generation. Max Yasgur was a dairy farm who rented his alfalfa field for a three day music festival, not realizing what it would become. After his death, subsequent owners have either let the grounds exist as they were, or they began planning for something that would become a useful tribute to the original event.

The land was purchased in 1996 by Alan Gerry, the former chairman of Cablevision Industries. Gerry also purchased additional land surrounding the site and he created the non-profit Gerry Foundation to help preserve the quality of life in Sullivan County through economic growth. The most visible example would be the Woodstock grounds, renamed the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Built at a cost of $100 million, Bethel Woods was designed to serve a function similar to Tanglewood in Massachusetts, with the added attraction of a museum that would tell the story of the Woodstock Festival and the era that made it possible. After much discussion and with those opposed to any development on the land, a “compromise” was reached that leaves the natural amphitheater where the festival in an undeveloped state, and the museum and state of the art performing arts center at the top of the hill above the site where the original festival’s “Food For Love” concessions were located.

The pavilion theater seats 4000 people with a lawn that can fit an additional 10,500. Opened in 2006, the theater has presented performances from a diverse group of artists – from Woodstock veterans like Arlo Guthrie and Crosby, Stills & Nash to the New York Philharmonic. Contemporary country music, heavy metal, and classic rock groups join classical and jazz ensembles in a modest schedule. Bethel Woods has been a boost to Sullivan County – both economically and culturally. There are still those who complain that the natural environment that was Woodstock has been compromised, but I feel that a permanent home for the arts can go much further to keep the spirit of Woodstock alive without destroying the sacred ground that has become a mecca for a generation.

We drove to Bethel on Sunday morning. Just as we exited Route 17, it began raining. I started a “no-rain” chant in the car and the rain stopped just as we entered the ground. My 12 year old son and 18 year old daughter were not impressed and my wife just smiled. Our original plan was to visit the museum first and then walk over to the festival site, but we decided to reverse the plan since the skies were clear.

There is a monument to the original festival in a corner of the field. This site serves as sort of an “observation deck” to the field, and we were met by a gentleman named Duke Devlin. Duke has been serving as an unofficial caretaker and tour guide for the site since the last notes were played at the original festival. Duke is now compensated for his services by the Gerry Foundation, but as he said to me he would do this job “for Twinkies and a Yoo-hoo”. Duke traveled to Woodstock in 1969 from a commune in Texas. He quickly became involved in the operation of the festival and stayed on to clean up. When the clean-up ended, he was hired by a local farmer and has been living in the area ever since. Duke greets visitors to the site and shares stories, answers questions, poses for pictures, and brings the spirit alive. Duke shows an photo taken from a helicopter during the festival that really gives you perspective.

After a nice visit with Duke, we went into the Museum. I wasn’t sure what to expect – perhaps some kitchsy souvenirs from the era and a couple of monitors showing footage. I was not prepared for what we discovered.

The museum, from the outside and from the main lobby, looks like the lobby of a hunting lodge. It is gorgeous, and at first it seemed out of place for an exhibit of this type – but after a few minutes it all made sense. While the museum honors Woodstock and the 1960’s, it is also a monument to the spirit of the region and the setting is a perfect match for the beauty of the Catksills.

Entering the exhibit hall, the sites and sounds of the 1960’s come at you from all angles and all senses, well – except for maybe smell! I guess it would have been a little over the top to recreate that!!

The Museum is the home to a permanent exhibit that features interpretive text panels, 20 different videos, over 300 photographs and 164 artifacts. With its 6728 square feet, the museum is divided into various sections that examine the 1960s and the festival. Baby Boomers will enjoy stepping back in time as 60’s pop culture is celebrated with examples of the fashion, media and of course – the music. Folk music is given a pedestal on which to shine. In one of the films, Noel Paul Stookey shares his feelings about the power of folk song. LP’s and singles from artists like Bob Dylan and Phil Och’s are displayed.

I have to admit, I found myself getting very emotional as images of RFK’s funeral train were shown on the screen followed by television shots from Vietman, and the scene of Martin Luther King on the balcony of the motel in Memphis. These were moments that changed my life, and even though I was very young when they occurred, the memories came rushing back. Life was never the same – for good and bad.

Choking back tears, I soon found myself reveling in the miraculous changes that occurred. Civil rights, women’s lib, the environment – and all reflected in music that went from an infancy at the beginning of the decade to a maturity that some people will argue has never been surpassed.

You can “get on the bus” by relaxing in vintage school bus that has been decked out in the psychedelia of the time. Love beads, tapestries, 8-track tapes and other paraphernalia are scattered on the bus – reminding me of my old friend Bill and his old room at his parents house. I tried to stick a Dead tape in the 8-track to really complete the picture, but it wouldn’t work. Luckily there were a number of videos shown on the windshield of the bus that described the trip that many people made to get to the Woodstock Festival. The Merry Prankster’s and the Hog Farm took center stage.

One of the areas that most impressed me was “The Festival Experience”. Sitting in a large circular room, 6 video projectors utilized four screens that measured 62 ft. wide x 50 ft. high giving a 270 degree presentation of the festival. You could imagine what it must have been like in the crowd. Lightning flash’s all around you. The sky above turns black. The images of the audience joyfully sliding and dancing in the mud fills the screens. Later you sit with stars above as Crosby, Stills & Nash took to the stage and admitted a case of the nerves – and then launched into a performance that is forever ingrained in the memories of those who witnessed it.

The second to last room on the tour is a larger theater that projects footage from Woodstock for the first time on 1080p high definition video and 5.1 surround sound. William Devane narrates the 21 minute documentary that shares the music of Woodstock from the musician’s point of view. To hear Carlos Santana and Joe Cocker share their memories and awe of the other artists in the lineup was fascinating. It was also given perspective by younger musicians such as Vernon Reid and Grace Potter who shared their impressions of the music that they heard through recordings, film and legend.

After exiting the theater, a small area is dedicated to the legacy of Woodstock. It includes a display an information about the Academy Award winning film by Michael Wadleigh. The film played an important role of firmly cementing the story of Woodstock into our culture. Contemporary artists who were influenced by the Woodstock Generation take the stage.

Of course there is an obligatory gift shop. While you will find the usual t-shirts and caps, there are also some very tasteful and reasonably priced gifts. CD’s of many of the original Woodstock and 1960’s artists are available, and you can even pick up a guitar shaped flyswatter – perfect for this summer’s invasion of mosquitoes!

Aside from my own trip back in time, the visit to the Museum at Bethel Woods was a wonderful family event. My 18 year old daughter was very impressed by the exhibits, and I think she just might understand her dad a bit better.

When we were leaving the festival site, Duke Devlin shared a final thought with my family. He said that many people doubt that there will ever be another event that could capture the spirit of the original Woodstock. “Hey, it happened once – who can say that it won’t happen again”. He noted “we provided a canvas and for three days the kids painted a picture that they wanted to make”. Duke turned to my kids and said “it won’t be old guys like us doing it next time, it’s up to you”.

Peace and love. I dig it – again.