Bethel Woods on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Our very own Museum Director, Dr. Neal Hitch, joined Kelly Clarkson on Tuesday, April 8, to talk all things Message Tree, our Oral History Initiative, and the new Special Exhibit. 

WATCH THE SHOW

The Oral History Initiative

The Message Tree 

See the Peace Sign Necklace

Gifted to Kelly Clarkson, created by Ken Bray—an original vendor from the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

The Oral History Initiative

In 1969, half a million people gathered at Woodstock in a powerful celebration of peace, unity, and hope—a defining moment that changed American culture forever. Today, the Museum at Bethel Woods is dedicated to preserving this legacy through the Woodstock Oral History Initiative. To date, we have collected over 1,300 firsthand accounts from festival attendees, musicians, organizers, and community leaders – and we are still seeking new stories!

These deeply personal narratives capture the transformative spirit of an era, preserving authentic voices that embody the enduring message scrawled near the stage: "WE ARE ONE."

Support our mission, DONATE TODAY.

Were you at Woodstock?
If you worked at Woodstock, served as a volunteer, or had interactions with any of the organizations who came to Woodstock to aid with the festival, we want to hear your story.
Sign up to Share
Oral History Initiative
We've collected over 1300 stories since 2020.
Learn More
A Bird's Eye View Of The Message Tree
1,300 Stories Collected 448,700 To Go
“Then you realized there was at least a half a million of us. It just gave me hope.”
— Akinyele Sadiq
“It’s very wonderful to see that it’s in history forever — and we’re a part of that.”
— Beverly “Cookie” Grant
“I’m looking at this person in the photograph, who is me... sort of bookends of my life.”
— Ellen Shelburne

Press Coverage

A cross-country effort to capture firsthand memories of Woodstock before they fade away

“That ticking clock is why the Museum at Bethel Woods… is immersed in a five-year project to sift facts from the legends.”
— Associated Press, March 2, 2024

Two Woodstock goers return after 55 years to glamp and relive the famous festival

“It’s very wonderful to see that it’s in history forever,” Grant said, “and we’re a part of that.”

—NY Post, June 28, 2024

 

New Bethel Woods Museum Initiative Captures Important Voices Of Woodstock

"Woodstock isn't one story, Woodstock's not 66 stories. Woodstock is 450,000 stories.

—Forbes, March 21, 2022

Woodstock attendees record oral reflections

"Over 1,200 oral histories have been recorded as the center seeks to preserve the meaningful stories. NBC News’ Anne Thompson reports."

—NBC News, July 8, 2024

Donate to Support the Oral History Initiative

With your support, we can ensure these stories are permanently preserved, digitized, and made accessible worldwide, inspiring future generations of scholars, artists, educators, and citizens to believe in the lasting power of coming together. Honor the past. Inspire the future. Donate Today.

Donation Form

 

 

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, located at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations. We are committed to building upon our rich history of peace and music by providing extraordinary experiences and access to the arts. With the belief that the world can be made better through the power of music and the arts, Bethel Woods makes music, visual, performing and creative arts programming available and accessible to the community, helping people of all ages discover and tap into their creative potential.

Support Provided by